A friend who learned something without a teacher

• pick up (v): học được, tiếp thu được

who

I’d like to talk about one of my close friends, Huy, who picked up video editing on his own, without learning it from a teacher,

and honestly, I find that pretty impressive.

learned what ?

He wasn’t studying anything related to media or technology at the university, but during the pandemic he spent a lot of time watching YouTube and TikTok. At some point, he got curious about how those videos were made, so he started teaching himself video editing from scratch.

He watched random tutorials, copied editing styles he liked, and kept experimenting, sometimes he even spent hours just to fix a few seconds of footage. — Gradually, he learned how to cut videos smoothly, add subtitles, choose background music, and control the overall flow of a video.

why

The reason he learned this was actually quite practical. He was running a small online shop and needed videos for marketing, but hiring an editor was too expensive, so he decided to do it himself. 

On top of that, the creative side of editing really clicked with him, so learning felt more like a hobby than hard work.

would it be easier to learn from a teacher?

As for whether it would be easier with a teacher, in theory yes, because teachers provide structure and shortcuts.

However, learning on his own made him more flexible and confident in himself, and in his case, that approach worked surprisingly well.

Is it necessary to keep learning after graduating from school?

Absolutely yes I think it’s necessary to keep learning after graduating from school.

mainly because the real world changes much faster than what we’re taught in class. A degree gives you a foundation, but it doesn’t prepare you for every situation you’ll face at work or in daily life.

After graduation, continuous learning allows individuals to remain competitive in the job market and adapt to social and economic changes.

Should teachers make learning in their classes fun?

To a certain extent, yes. Making lessons engaging can significantly enhance students’ motivation and concentration. When learning is enjoyable, students are more likely to participate actively and retain information.

That said, I don’t think education should revolve purely around entertainment. It should have academic rigor and discipline as well. The best approach is when teachers can make lessons engaging without compromising (on) intellectual depth.

Do you think there are too many subjects for students to learn?

In Vietnam, yes. Overloading students with too many subjects can lead to superficial learning, — Instead of truly understanding concepts, they may simply memorize information to pass exams.This can also increase stress and reduce time for extracurricular activities.

In my view, the issue isn’t the number of subjects itself, but how they are structured. If schools strike a balance between breadth and depth, and allow older students to specialize in one field gradually, the learning experience can be both comprehensive and manageable.

Is it better to focus on a few subjects or to learn many subjects?

I believe it depends on the stage of education.

• At an early age, learning a variety of subjects is beneficial because it builds a broad knowledge base and helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses.

• However, as they progress, specializing in a few areas allows for deeper expertise and mastery.

In other words, breadth is valuable initially, but depth becomes increasingly important later on.

Do you think enterprises should provide training for their employees?

Yes, I think it’s both a responsibility and a strategic investment.

• Providing professional training not only enhances employees’ skills and but also ensures that the company remains competitive in the industry.

• It can also boost morale and loyalty, as staff feel valued and supported.

In the long term, organizations that have internal training are more likely to innovate and adapt quickly to market shifts.

Do you think it is good for older adults to continue learning?

Definitely. Continued learning can help older adults

• maintain cognitive functions and reduce the risk of mental decline.

• It also provides a sense of purpose and social connection, especially after retirement. Plus, i think Learning doesn’t have to be formal — it can be as fun as picking up a new hobby.

In many ways, lifelong learning can do wonders for their overall well-being.