Learning new things; the easy and the hard

Learning is a continuous process. For as long as we live, we will continue to learn. In the course of doing this, one would encounter some things that are easy to learn and others that are difficult.

One thing that was easy for me to learn is cobbling and shoemaking. When I was growing up, I was an inquisitive child. I asked questions about everything that happened around me. Whenever a cobbler was invited to mend shoes for my parents, I watched them with Kin interest. I wanted to practice it but I faced some difficulties in getting the tools.

I approached a cobbler and discussed my interest with him. He directed me to where I could get the basic tools. I bought the thread and the hook for sewing shoes. I started amending shoes for the whole family.

My parents were amazed. Everyone couldn't believe that I didn't do an apprenticeship before taking on the job. A few years later, I graduated into making shoes. I made mistakes a few times and learned from my mistakes. I have not been able to perfect the art of shoemaking because I haven't bought the major equipment and tools used in making shoes.

The journey is amazing so far.

Just like I found making shoes easy to learn, there are other things that I found difficult to learn. One of the things that has given me a headache over the years is learning a new language.

I was born in Yoruba land while my mother tongue is Ebira language. As a result of this, I am fluent in speaking Yoruba and Ebira languages. My enrollment in western education added English to the languages that I speak. Ever since then, it has been difficult for me to learn a new language.

After my secondary education, I got admission into two universities; one in the southwestern state of Ondo and another in the North Central state of Plateau. I chose to go to Plateau State because the popular language spoken there is Hausa. I felt that going to Ondo State wouldn't be helpful to my quest to learn new language because Ondo is a Yoruba speaking State.

I arrived Jos in Plateau State with a burning desire to learn Hausa language. I stayed for two years in the students hostel before relocating to off campus because my stay in the hostel wasn't helping. I stayed for four years off campus and at the end of it, I couldn't learn the language. At a point, I bought a book with which I was writing some words and their Hausa version.

My landlord's daughter was teaching me the language. Unfortunately, the more I put efforts into learning the language, the more I found it difficult to grasp the language.

I finished my programme and left Jos without understanding Hausa. Since then I hardly make any attempt to learn a language. I realized that I am weak in that regard.

One thing I learned about myself with the two experiences is that I don't need to stress myself in learning anything. Whatever it is that I am capable of learning won't stress me. If it is something meant for me to learn, a little effort would make a difference.