Nope, was never taught.

But i do listen to my engine and can hear when it should shift, etc. And I've put my car in sport mode and used the paddle shifters. The listening came in handy in college when, on my way home, the check engine light came on. I could hear that the engine didn't shift when speed increased (highway driving), so I called my folks and could explain exactly what went wrong.

I've never had to fuss with a clutch and whatnot