Maths skills for life and work - getting ready for functional skills (pathway 1)

What is the course about?

This course will provide you with the foundation maths you need in your daily life and more. It can also form part of your journey towards Level 2 Functional Skills. You will practise doing calculations with money, using measurements, and understanding figures, charts and graphs in newspapers.. You will work on tasks which require the use of whole numbers, fractions and decimal numbers as well as solving problem involving time, money and measurement. You will practise working with the properties of shapes, both 2D and 3D and reading, interpreting and commenting on information in tables and charts.

What will we cover?

• relating real life situations to mathematics
• completing tasks which require maths and mathematical thinking to complete
•using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with whole numbers to solve everyday problems e.g. when shopping, at work, going on holiday etc.
•recognising and using common fractions to help with everyday calculations such as shopping, budgeting etc.
•identifying the relationships between basic fractions, decimals and percentages e.g. 0.5 = ½ = 50%
•using mathematical knowledge to solve common problems about time and money
•using measurements to solve common problems e.g. how to design a garden or a room
•identifying the different properties of 2D and 3D shapes, using this information to describe objects around you and discuss them mathematically (square, rectangles, circles, triangles, hexagons, pentagons, cubes, cuboids, cylinders etc.)
•reading, interpreting and commenting on information on tables and charts on websites, newspapers etc.

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

• relate real life situations to mathematics
• complete tasks which require maths and mathematical thinking
•use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with whole numbers to solve real life problems e.g. when shopping, at work, going on holiday etc.
•recognise and use common fractions to help with everyday calculations such as shopping, budgeting etc.
•identify the relationships between basic fractions, decimals and percentages e.g. 0.5 = ½ = 50%
•use mathematical knowledge to solve common problems about time and money
•use measurements to solve common problems e.g. how to design a garden or a room
•identify the different properties of 2D and 3D shapes, use this information to describe objects around you and discuss them mathematically (square, rectangles, circles, triangles, hexagons, pentagons, cubes, cuboids, cylinders etc.)
•read, interpret and comment on information on tables and charts on websites, newspapers etc.
•know your next steps towards gaining L2 functional skills.

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

This course aimed at learners who are on a journey towards achieving L2 Functional Skills and / or want to improve their mathematical skills to help them improve their life prospects. You should already be able to recognise and use whole numbers up to 100, add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers using a calculator, use halves and quarters, and make other basic calculations. You need a reasonable level of English.

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

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. 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, ruler, pencil and calculator. You should also bring along some lined A4 paper and a folder to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide some materials, handouts and links to useful websites to enable you to extend and practice your skills outside class,.

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

When you successfully complete this course, you should be able to continue into the next part of the course.
There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:

• Becoming an environmental citizen: how to read, research and understand data (entry 3-level 1)
• Maths for life and work (level 1)
• English communication and maths skills - for life and work (entry 3)
• Discover the maths in the world around you: from nature to buildings (entry 3-level 1)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with numbers and calculations (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with shapes, space and measuring (level 1-2)
• Bitesize maths: becoming confident with algebra, problem-solving and equations (level 1-2)

There are classes in the maths and digital skills areas which complement the above courses. These include:

• English communication skills - for life and work (level 1)
• Becoming confident in digital skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (beginner)
• Essential digital skills for the workplace: Word, Excel and PowerPoint (foundation-level 1)
Business administration with digital skill: how to be an administrator (foundation
• Business administration: how to be a PA (foundation)

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.