English, maths and digital skills for life (entry 2-entry3)

What is the course about?

This course will help you become more confident in the most important communication skills. You will develop your reading and writing of English, your use of computers and your key maths skills. You will work on how to write notes, emails and letters using good punctuation and sentences which are clear, easy to understand and the right length. You will practise reading short news items, work messages, signs, notices and form so you can understand their general meaning but also find information in them. You will work on expressing yourself and giving your opinions in arguments, difficult situations and with people in authority so you can give your opinions and views in a constructive manner, You will work on your vocabulary and your listening skills. You will improve your use of computers for writing emails and searching for information, use calculators and online dictionaries. You will complete tasks which need key maths skills so you will improve your calculations such as when shopping, budgeting, cooking or measuring your home.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

We will decide the topics together in class but these are likely to include subjects such as the environment, social justice, films, TV, news times and places of interest. Each topic will help you develop specific areas of English, as well as develop your maths and digital skills, including:
• writing sentences of the right length
• combining ideas into paragraphs
• writing whole texts such as emails and letters, formal and informal, which are easy to read and express what you want to say
• using punctuation effectively such as full stops, commas, question-marks and capital letters
• using adjectives to describe places and people
• completing online forms
• reading short whole texts such as short news items to understand the general meaning
• finding information in notices, signs, adverts and forms
• sending emails, receiving and organising emails
• using the internet to find information for your writing and for your daily life
• making calculations to work out percentages, measure rooms and carry out other daily tasks
• expressing your opinions in a helpful way so people understand you including to people in authority
• listening to what people are saying and not saying.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• write sentences of the right length e.g. when writing letters, emails and giving your opinions
• combine ideas into paragraphs in different types of writing
• write whole texts such as emails and letters, formal and informal, which are easy to read and express what you want to say
• use punctuation effectively such as full stops, commas, question-marks and capital letters
• use adjectives to describe places and people
• complete online forms
• read short whole texts such as short news items to understand the general meaning
• find information in notices, signs, adverts and forms
• send emails, receiving and organising emails
• use the internet to find information for your writing and for your daily life
• make calculations to work out percentages, measure rooms and carry out other daily tasks
• express your opinions in a helpful way so people understand you including to people in authority
• listen to what people are saying and not saying.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is at entry 2-entry 3, You can read and write sentences and short paragraphs but you need to improve your vocabulary and write longer texts. You have some computer skills but still need to practise so you can use the internet and other digital tools more easily.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment. The tutor will help you discover rules and features of English. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can move to the other part of the course. When you are ready you can move to:
• English communication and maths skills - for life and work (entry 3) OR
• English communication skills - for life and work (level 1)

We also have maths and digital skills courses such as:
• Maths skills for life and work - getting ready for functional skills (foundation 1)
• Becoming confident with online communication: Zoom (beginner)
• Becoming confident with online communication: Zoom and Teams (beginner)
Getting started: becoming confident on your computer and online (complete beginner)

For more information, contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.