Should Adults Learn Things With No Practical Use?
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I’m Ken, a Kenyan accountant with a special love for languages. I enjoy cross-cultural conversations and love hearing different accents from around the world come together through one shared language. I especially enjoy easy, judgment-free conversations where there is no pressure for perfection—just people connecting over random topics.
Topic guide Optional
A quick way to understand the topic and find useful language. Read as much or as little as you like.
1-minute overview
Adults are often encouraged to learn for visible outcomes: a better job, higher income, a qualification, or a useful household skill. This pressure is understandable. Time, money, and attention are limited, and many people already feel they must constantly adapt to changing workplaces. Recent adult-learning data also show that career improvement is a major reason people choose training.
Yet learning driven by curiosity has a different value. Studying astronomy, ancient languages, chess openings, bird calls, or a musical instrument may not lead directly to a promotion or profit. It can still offer pleasure, concentration, a sense of identity, and unexpected connections between ideas. Interest-led learning may even produce practical benefits later, although that does not need to be its purpose.
The key tension is not simply useful versus useless. A hobby can be deeply meaningful without being economically productive, while a supposedly practical course can feel empty if chosen only from pressure. The discussion invites us to ask how adults can make room for curiosity while still meeting real responsibilities.
Yet learning driven by curiosity has a different value. Studying astronomy, ancient languages, chess openings, bird calls, or a musical instrument may not lead directly to a promotion or profit. It can still offer pleasure, concentration, a sense of identity, and unexpected connections between ideas. Interest-led learning may even produce practical benefits later, although that does not need to be its purpose.
The key tension is not simply useful versus useless. A hobby can be deeply meaningful without being economically productive, while a supposedly practical course can feel empty if chosen only from pressure. The discussion invites us to ask how adults can make room for curiosity while still meeting real responsibilities.
Useful vocabulary
Approx. CEFR · Topic relevance
intrinsic motivation
the desire to do something because it is personally enjoyable or interesting
I kept learning Japanese from intrinsic motivation, not because my job required it.
instrumental
valued mainly as a means of achieving another goal
Some people take an instrumental view of learning and ask how every skill will pay off.
intellectual curiosity
a strong desire to understand ideas, questions, or unfamiliar subjects
Intellectual curiosity can lead people to explore topics outside their professional field.
pursuit
an activity that someone follows seriously over time
For her, amateur astronomy is a lifelong pursuit rather than a career plan.
transferable
able to be used successfully in a different situation or area
Learning to draw may develop transferable habits of observation and patience.
serendipity
the chance discovery of something valuable or interesting
There is often serendipity in learning widely: one subject can unexpectedly enrich another.
Useful expressions
It depends on what we mean by useful.
Use this to question a narrow definition before giving your view.
It depends on what we mean by useful; enjoyment and connection may be useful in a broader sense.
The value may be indirect rather than immediate.
Use this to distinguish long-term or non-financial benefits from obvious results.
The value may be indirect rather than immediate, because a hobby can strengthen confidence.
That argument assumes that…
Use this to identify an unstated belief behind someone’s claim.
That argument assumes that time is worthwhile only when it produces measurable results.
There is a trade-off between… and…
Use this to recognize two legitimate priorities in tension.
There is a trade-off between protecting time for curiosity and meeting financial responsibilities.
I would resist the idea that…
Use this to disagree thoughtfully without dismissing the other person.
I would resist the idea that a hobby needs to become a side business to be worthwhile.
Question list
- Ice breaking
- Main topic
- Free talk
| Q1. | How has your year been going? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | Do you think it is important for natural areas to be preserved? |
| Q3. | How do you maintain optimism during setbacks? |
| Q4. | Share a moment when you overcame doubt and surprised yourself. |
| Q5. | What was a seemingly small decision that ended up changing your life? |
| Q6. | What kind of social setting brings out your best self? |
| Q7. | How do you overcome the fear of disappointing others? |
| Q8. | Do you have any special traditions about naming children? |
| Q1. | Have you ever learned something just because it interested you? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | Why do adults often focus only on useful skills? |
| Q3. | Can “useless” knowledge make life more interesting? |
| Q4. | Should hobbies always have a practical benefit? |
| Q5. | Can learning without a goal improve creativity? |
| Q6. | Is it okay to learn something that will never make money? |
| Q7. | Do schools focus too much on useful subjects? |
| Q8. | What would you learn if usefulness did not matter? |
| Q1. | Which two historical figures would have the most entertaining social media feud? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | What made you realize the importance of long-term planning? |
| Q3. | Describe the last time you were completely absorbed in a creative task. |
| Q4. | What would you do if you won a billion dollars in the lottery? |
| Q5. | Why do you find meaning in quiet reflection? |
| Q6. | What is taboo that shouldn't be? |
| Q7. | Cafés and parks are popular spots for relaxation. Where do you go when you want to unwind? |
| Q8. | How do you deal with disappointments caused by others? |
Rules
Please be kind and respectful.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
No flirting! Don't ask for other people's social network, number etc. if he/she refuses to give them.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Give others an equal opportunity to speak.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Avoid Smoking / Drinking while you are talking.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Turning your camera on is mandatory.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
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