"learn first hand" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to gain knowledge or experience directly, rather than from secondary sources. Example: "I wanted to learn about different cultures, so I decided to travel and learn first hand by immersing myself in each country's customs and traditions."
The aim of the lesson was to learn first hand about life across the globe.
And they could learn first hand what becomes of the things they throw away.
"We're here to learn first hand what's happening on our streets so we can devise effective solutions," Mr. Holder said.
The intern would also attend meetings with workers who are currently organizing with the Guild, providing them with an opportunity to learn first hand about television production.
So it was that I recently found myself on the annual CASE fundraising study tour, which takes groups of academic leaders and fundraising professionals from Europe to Canadian universities to learn first hand how they approach this trickiest of businesses.
Having just finished writing a book entitled "How Markets Fail," I went to the Windy City eager to learn first hand how the critiques of Chicago economics were being received.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Rose learned first hand that his advice could come in handy.
Mr. Bush learned first hand last year how volatile Republican politics in California can be.
She learned first hand about the gayageum, geomungto, and ajaeng, all zithers, but played in completely different ways.
I have learned first hand about how the body and the mind can adapt or falter, submerged in Antarctica's darkness and winter's extreme isolation.
"With Reach, young teachers go into the classroom, have experiences, then come to a seminar where their coach can add theory to what they're learning first hand.
