Learning parallels.

Learning parallels.

Paul Arden | Wednesday, 25 February 2026

James and Tracy are away this week. I’m writing this while heading down the lake to the Battleship. It’s quite exciting because there is a high possibility that I will run out of fuel before I get there! There might be some paddling.

I have a Malay lesson tonight and a casting coaching session. I’ve immersed myself into trying to learn this language. I’ve never been very good at languages, so this is a real test.

Not only might I run out of petrol, but it looks like I’m heading into a thunderstorm! My raincoat is in the other boat.

I’m trying to look for parallels between learning Malay and learning to cast or fish. The only one I can think of immediately is the importance of small digestible chunks. I could very easily be overwhelmed. Also a little and often springs to mind. Just because you don’t learn something the first time, just means when you do learn it then it sticks!

And finally I suppose you need goals, a good coach and learning should be fun.

There! It’s actually all the same!!

 

I’ve made it back to the ship. Dry and no need to paddle.

Cheers, Paul