Skills for Life

Skills for Life are the ability to read, write and speak English, and use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society in general.   Staffordshire Libraries support the National Skills for Life strategy in several ways:

• By having collections of fiction by popular authors, at different levels, to enable emergent readers to move on.  This includes 'First Choice' material approved by The Reading Agency as meeting its criteria for developing and supporting new readers
• By providing resources which complement those found in schools and colleges. Of particular interest will be: 
•     grammar, punctuation, spelling, handwriting, writing letters 
•     basic maths (including handling money, banking) 
•     how to get a job, writing a CV
•     life skills - how to look after yourself (personal health, hygiene, safety, simple cookery books, road safety, independent travel) 
•     English as a second language

The emphasis is on self-help, and some of this material is on CD-ROMs or is available via the Internet (see the sites listed below).  Learners who use ICT to improve their reading, writing or use of numbers also add to the value of their study time and acquire keyboarding and other computing skills.

Library staff can help you identify suitable resources and/or local classes, and every Portal library has a 'Learning Champion' who may be able to put you in contact with those who can offer extra assistance.

Useful sites - click on the logos to look at them:

The BBC pages to give online help with 'essential skills' such as reading, writing, maths and number work

The Skills for Life pages

Distance learning online and using CD ROMs.  A range of free courses on a variety of subjects, including maths, and English and communications.

  BBC Reading and Writing webpages

Last Modified: 07/11/2007 11:21:41
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