New Year, new learning?

[Deleted User]

Does anyone plan to try and learn something new in 2021?

I do, I'd like to see if I can relearn French, I did it at school over 30 years ago but apart from little bits I've forgot most of it. I'd also like to learn Japanese, I can say hello (Konichi-Wa) and goodbye (Sayonara) but I'd like to learn conversational Japanese if possible.

In a more technical way I want to learn how to make games in Unity, either by self teaching or formal education at College.

Learning to drive would be nice but I think that particular Ship sailed away almost 25 years ago.

So how about you guys?

66Mustang

I would like to get back on track with my economics A level. I have not been feeling too good for the last few months and have not been doing very much study but I want to try and push myself into restarting as I was doing quite well with it before.

I’d always back anyone thinking of learning to drive, is there anything in particular stopping you from learning?

[Deleted User]

66Mustang said:

I would like to get back on track with my economics A level. I have not been feeling too good for the last few months and have not been doing very much study but I want to try and push myself into restarting as I was doing quite well with it before.

I’d always back anyone thinking of learning to drive, is there anything in particular stopping you from learning?

Well when I was 20 I had lessons in a manual car from the same bloke who taught my Brother, after a few months of lessons he gave up on me and said I'd never pass a test.

In 2003, at the age of 27 I applied again for a provisional license with a view to trying lessons in an Automatic but was turned down due to my disabilities, and Asperger's (Exsqueeze me? Other Aspies drive?!) and they also said because back then I had anger management issues I'd be a candidate for "Road Rage" (Pardon?!)

66Mustang

Do you have a disability that makes it difficult to drive a manual? To be honest it sounds like the teacher was just being a bit old fashioned and negative. I would give it another try with a different teacher if you feel up to it.

That said if you do only get an automatic license that's not the end of the world these days as automatics are basically better than manuals in every way and with the move to electric cars manuals will soon be phased out completely.

I have Asperger's and I drive. Apparently people with autism make better drivers however I'm not totally sure about that!

Tori_Scope

It sounds like you'll both be busy in 2021 @66Mustang @MrAllen1976!

I've got a couple of things I'd like to learn, but have the tendency to put myself off so I'm not putting any pressure on myself to do them  

• a craft: I've been saying I'll do this for probably 6 months, and am yet to even try! Chloe recommended felting to me, so perhaps I'll get around to trying that
• BSL: I'd love to learn a bit of British Sign Language, and there seem to be plenty of resources online so there's no excuse really
• MOOC: I used to do free online courses called Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) sometimes, but haven't since I've started working. I'd like to pick it back up so that I'm doing something a little more productive with my free time. I don't have a specific topic in mind, however

[Deleted User]

I need to redo some parts of a course I completed last week by the end of next Monday.

WestHam06

This is a great thread @MrAllen1976, thank you for starting it. Next year, the plan is to start and complete my Level 1 FA Coaching badge for football, which I am really looking forward too There are many things I would like to learn including, like @Tori_Scope, British Sign Language. I wish everyone the best of luck with whatever they choose to learn if they do so, for me that's part of life, the fact that we are always learning. Thank you.

[Deleted User]

I applied for a game design course at Sheffield College last week.

It's a 2 year course but if it's full time I can't do it, the carers won't support me.

Also yesterday I applied for a job as a customer advisor at local ISP Plusnet, although I had to declare my disability and Asperger's and you know what usually happens there.

Tori_Scope

Good luck @MrAllen1976! Have you asked the college whether it's full-time? If it is, whether there's the option for it to be part-time instead? 

Tori_Scope

Very best of luck with the FA coaching badge @WestHam06! 

[Deleted User]

Tori_Scope said:

Good luck @MrAllen1976! Have you asked the college whether it's full-time? If it is, whether there's the option for it to be part-time instead? 

I'll give them a call or an email in the New Year when the Colleges go back to discuss it.

There's also the problem of funding for people on benefits, I tried to get on a GCSE Maths course last year and they said it wasn't funded so it'd cost me 300 quid.

Tori_Scope

Good idea @MrAllen1976.

It'd be worth asking about that too then, I think. They might have a grant or fund for adult learners to help with the costs.

[Deleted User]

I just applied for a level 2 course in game design at Hillsborough College, they had a level 1 course up at Peaks College, which to be fair would've been easier to get to than Hillsborough as it's got a Tram stop, it would take me about an hour to get there though.

I just don't think my academic credentials match the entry requirements, but maybe they'll let me in as a "mature student".

[Deleted User]

Well I took the plunge and applied for the level 1 games design course up at Peaks College, I'm more likely to get that as the entry requirements aren't as high.

I'll cross the transport problem if and when I need to.

janer1967

Having finished my last 2 diplomas I will be looking to start something new just not sure what I want to do next 

May do a higher level of criminology or something new 

[Deleted User]

Well I kind of made a start on one thing last weekend, I used this month's credit on Audible to download an Audiobook on Japanese language, I'll play it on my Alexa device this week.

lisathomas50

I have completed my law degree this year on open University  I am looking for a job and I would like to learn sign language 

SouthernBelle

Im going to learn to weave, i have my loom it was a Christmas present, i also want to learn to crochet. My dream is one day i will have a few animals. spin their and dye their coats into yarn and then weave or crochet it .    

lisathomas50

Fantastic  I wish I could do that but my hands wouldn't cope with it good luck I am sure you will be amazing ❤ 

SouthernBelle

lisathomas50 said:

Fantastic  I wish I could do that but my hands wouldn't cope with it good luck I am sure you will be amazing ❤ 

Thanks i do hope so, my problem will be my leg and warping it up. Is there any craft your hands let you do that you currently do or could try?   

lisathomas50

I have tried knitting and needle craft but I gave up I have plenty to do though I admire people  who can do the sort of thing  you do so well done 

SouthernBelle

lisathomas50 said:

I have tried knitting and needle craft but I gave up I have plenty to do though I admire people  who can do the sort of thing  you do so well done 

Im a quilter usually but since my accident i have found it hard to get back too, by the time i have got organised for the day and done all my chores i have so little energy left. I have been wanting to weave for a long time so hoping it will reignite my passion for craft.   

lisathomas50

Hope uour weaving goes well I have heard people talking about blogging so I might look into thst something different 

[Deleted User]

It's unlikely I'll be able to do the game design course up at Peaks after all, especially if it's full time as I'd lose my care so my Parents won't let me risk it.

I await an email next week to see if it's part or full time, although they've announced just now that the Colleges don't go back till the 18th of January unless the students' Parents are keyworkers, and both my Parents are retired.

My Nephew and Niece are OK though, my sister in law, their Mum, is a keyworker so they go back next week.

poppy123456

Students with parents that are keyworkers and students that are vulnerable will also return to college/school on Monday 4th January.

vikingqueen

  @lisathomas50   I looked into doing my law degree on the open university ..at £18.000 I think I'll give it a miss, 

lisathomas50

Are you on about England in Wales they aren't going back until the 11th but that is being reviewed  but only primary schools 

lisathomas50

You can get grants in open University  i have been doing open university for 6 years and all my courses were paid for I have just completed my  law degree phone the open University helpline  or go online you don't have to pay if you get your grants youcgrt the grants for your courses and you also get a grant of 1200 once a year if you need to buy things for your course