Post edited 10:14 am – 21st November 10 by Me.

I feel it only right to mention the facility and benefits to be had from correspondence schools. When in my late fifties I was living a truly wonderful lifestyle and felt I would like to share some on my experiences with others through the written word. There was only one slight hurdle to cross, my literary skills ranked just below zero. Living in the heart of the countryside evening class was impossible, therefore I signed on for a twenty-six lesson course of English. By the end of lesson one I was possessed with excitement and wonder, I really couldn't wait for the result and the papers to start on lesson two.

I completed the entire course, enjoyed it so much I signed up for a second course, this time advanced English … I loved it, this time twenty-seven lessons and upon completion I was signed up by a magazine and two local newspapers that wished to publish my musings.

The written word has given me tremendous encouragement: when you are the subject to a published 'letter to the editor' it brings home the fact people really do read the words you have put into print. It also makes one fearless when so called educated bullies try to push their will onto others, regardless of the fact that others have a mind and a will of their own.

It is said the pen is mightier than the sword and this is true. The written word is also a source of great pleasure, an encouragement to learn more coupled with a sense of complete satisfaction. My tutor, a very elderly lady, was an inspiration. It was her wish I should undertake a third course, this time studying the classics but sadly this held little interest for me. I was awarded two diplomas for my efforts with correspondence school, whilst they are not on display they are the only keepsake I would never part with, my efforts instilled a little pride in my achievement and I am proud of those diplomas.

I would recommend adult education to everyone, regardless of age or ability. Strange, the only part that holds people back is the area between the ears, by some coincidence the part that stands to gain the most from education is situated in that self same place.

Doreen, the correspondence school I enrolled with recognized that not everyone has the ability to write a cheque for an entire course. To this end it was worked out it took on average two weeks to complete an assignment and with 26 to attack, the course was a year's work. Therefore the ability to pay monthly was offered and of this I took advantage, the long term payment did not attract an interest payment. As to the total cost, I really can't remember.

The one thing I never allowed for was the work gave such satisfaction and enjoyment. The time allowed of one year proved to be somewhat generous, I took seven months and about the same time for the second course.

One of the assignments in the second course was on Macbeth, an interesting task but it didn't encourage a wish to know more about the classics. Possibly the assignment that gave me the most fun was an entire lesson on poetry. You may have noted I have a somewhat strange sense of humour. I had seven pages of questions and then a story to complete. I answered every question with rhyming English, and the story was also written in poetry form. My tutor told me nobody had ever done that before, it was a first, and she kindly gave me the top mark of an A+++.

The final exam piece also involved a story, oddly one of the few my tutor didn't really like although she gave me a very high mark. A few months later I sold that story to a magazine who put it into print, my tutor was delighted. I still have that story on my PC (I think) … I really must check.