Learning new skills and acquiring knowledge on your own is a remarkable achievement. When you want to convey the fact that you taught yourself something, whether it’s a new language, a musical instrument, or a complex programming language, it’s important to express it in the right way. In this guide, we will explore various formal and informal ways to say “I taught myself” and provide you with tips, examples, and regional variations if necessary.
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Formal Ways to Say “I Taught Myself”
If you are in a formal setting, such as a job interview or a professional environment, it is important to demonstrate your self-learning abilities while maintaining a polished language. Here are some formal ways to express that you taught yourself:
1. Self-taught
One of the most straightforward and commonly used phrases is “I am self-taught.” This phrase highlights your independent learning and reflects positively on your motivation and dedication to personal growth. For example:
I am self-taught in graphic design, and I have developed a strong portfolio of my own creations.
2. Autodidactic
If you want to elevate your language level, the word “autodidactic” is a sophisticated alternative to “self-taught.” It emphasizes a higher level of formal learning without external guidance. Here’s an example:
I would describe myself as an autodidactic programmer, as I have independently learned various coding languages and frameworks.
3. Proficient through self-study
If you want to emphasize proficiency in a particular skill or subject, you can say “I became proficient through self-study.” This implies that you have achieved a level of mastery in the subject matter. For instance:
I became proficient in Mandarin Chinese through self-study and can effectively communicate with native speakers.
Informal Ways to Say “I Taught Myself”
In more casual conversations or when speaking with friends and acquaintances, you can choose informal expressions to convey that you learned something on your own. Here are a few suggestions for informal ways to say “I taught myself”:
1. Picked it up on my own
An easy and colloquial way to express that you taught yourself is by saying “I picked it up on my own.” This phrase conveys a sense of informality and adaptability. Here’s an example:
I picked up playing the guitar on my own by watching online tutorials and practicing regularly.
2. Figured it out by myself
If you learned something through experimentation and trial-and-error, you can say “I figured it out by myself.” This phrase highlights your problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. For example:
I figured out how to use the software application by myself, without any formal training.
3. Taught myself from scratch
When you want to emphasize that you started learning something without prior knowledge or experience, you can say “I taught myself from scratch.” This phrase shows your determination and commitment to learning. Here’s an example:
I taught myself web development from scratch, starting with basic HTML and gradually expanding my skills.
Tips and Examples:
1. Provide evidence of your progress
Whenever possible, provide tangible evidence to support your claim of teaching yourself a skill. This can include projects you have completed, certificates you have obtained, or any accomplishments directly related to your self-learning journey.
2. Emphasize the dedication and persistence
Highlight your dedication and persistence throughout the learning process. Employers and colleagues appreciate individuals who possess the tenacity to teach themselves new skills as it showcases your drive for personal growth.
3. Relate the skill to real-life situations
If the skill you taught yourself is directly related to the context of the conversation or job application, make sure to share how it can be applied to real-life situations. This demonstrates the practical relevance of your self-taught skill and its potential value to others.
4. Acknowledge external resources
While it’s important to emphasize your self-learning abilities, don’t underestimate the value of external resources that may have assisted you along the way. Mentioning relevant books, online tutorials, or forums can demonstrate your ability to seek out and utilize supplementary learning materials.
Conclusion
Learning something on your own is an admirable endeavor, and being able to effectively express it is equally important. In both formal and informal settings, there are various ways to convey the fact that you taught yourself a skill, ranging from straightforward terms like “self-taught” to more sophisticated alternatives like “autodidactic.” Remember to provide evidence of your progress, emphasize dedication, relate the skill to real-life situations, and acknowledge external resources when appropriate. So whether you are discussing your achievements in a job interview, networking event, or simply sharing your accomplishments with friends, you now have an array of expressions to choose from to confidently say “I taught myself!”
