Ideal time to learn: always

Ideal time to learn: always

Can you imagine anyone say, "When I finish school I will never study again"? Have you ever heard anything of the kind? Have YOU ever said this to yourself (your teachers, your parents)? 

I have. When I was about ten I came back home after school - angry with my teacher - and told my parents that I would NEVER EVER AGAIN learn English. I was furious yet decisive, and I knew I would keep my word. 
I will always be grateful to my father who was wise and patient enough to bring this idea to me, ''Never let others decide what you will do and achieve. Only you and you alone are the creator of your decisions, your present, your future, and your life''. Naturally, he told this in other words and in another language. Naturally, I didn't give up learning English. Naturally (or surprisingly?), I even became an English teacher.

In my teaching practice I often hear people say, ''I will never learn a new skill, it's too late'' (I am too old, I don't have enough time, I've got too many other things to do). And every time I hear that I ask myself:

• When do we first get it that it can be too late to learn?
• Who told this?
• Why don't we ever doubt it?

Back at school teachers and parents insist on our learning all the stuff the Ministry of Education considers important. This stuff varies from country to country, from decade to decade. The educational system (including students, teachers, parents, ministers) behaves as though this stuff were to be put in the kids' heads during the time thought for school. 

Well, school time is considered the best time to learn. And then? Is there life after school? Life as curiosity, learning, livelihood, concern, doubt, critisism? Life as desire to know, touch, try, practice? You might think that I am too optimistic, but I am here to say, ''Yes, there is life after school, and the best time to learn is ALWAYS''.