When I was in 4th grade, we moved to Zaire (now the Republic of Congo). I enrolled in a Belgian school, where they (obviously) only spoke French. And, you ask, did you speak French? Not a word, or barely a word. I sat through 1/2 of a year, with a river of French just flowing over me. I went to supplemental tutoring in the afternoon. And then I suddenly understood what they are saying. I remember when it happened. It was like a light suddenly shining when I had been sitting dark.
I am using the same technique to learn about data. I listen to YouTube presentations on SQL, Big Data, Azure and other abstruse topics while I do other things. A torrent of terms flow over me as I half listen. I can pick up a few words here and there. I haven’t reach the stage where the light has suddenly starting shining. I suspect it won’t be as dramatic an experience. Instead, I think I will slowly just understand more and more of the terms that are used, concepts that are discussed.
Don’t be afraid to listen to things you don’t understand. You will be learning as you listen, even if you don’t realize it.
Photo credit: Andrew Bertram on Unsplash