A Learning Experience

 

By Ms. Chan Yee Kit

 

I love learning though it is not easy. Nobody ever said that learning would be easy. Let me share one of my recent learning experiences with you.

 

I started learning Sign Language four months ago. A group of autistics children that I have been serving at my church is the reason why I decided to take a course in Sign Language. Since some of them seldom speak and I am not sure if they can understand me, I wonder if Sign Language can help me communicate with them.

 

This language is totally new to me and it is not easy for me to learn as I do not have enough opportunities to practice using it. However, I have found the beauty in it. It is fascinating to know the patterns in the creation of Hong Kong signs. When creating the signs, people take the appearance of an object, mime the action or movement of an activity, take the shapes of Chinese characters and even simply take the meaning of a concept or idea.

 

At first, it was hard for me to remember the signs. No matter how hard I practiced every night, I still could not remember the signs because there were too many words. Then I tried to find some rules to help me remember the signs. I remembered that my teacher once told me the patterns in the creation of signs. Then I made use of those patterns for help. For example, the sign of an orange is created by taking the action of cutting an orange. Besides, my teacher taught the class some songs with signs, so I practiced in a more interesting way using those songs. Later, in the eighth lesson, my teacher invited some Deaf people to join our class. Although I was very slow, and it took us a while to understand each other, I found that I could communicate with them. I was so thrilled to see what I could achieve.

 

I have to admit that learning something new is not easy. But I DO enjoy the feeling that I keep having improvements. I love the feeling that I am better than yesterday. In the process of learning, I first find a need in learning something. Then I find the beauty in it and fall in love with it. When I meet some difficulties, I find rules to help me understand. Then I get as much chance as I can to practice. Most importantly, I appreciate every effort I have put in and every tiny bit of improvement I have made.

 

I will keep on learning. It doesn’t matter whether I can learn fast or slow. I simply enjoy learning. Let’s start to enjoy learning.