ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a major area of work for many teachers in PCE, which is skills for life. The chapter starts by briefly explaining the Skills for Life Strategy, and the scale and nature of the positive challenge this represents for PCE. A simple quiz is included to help you recognise the scale of problems associated with poor adult language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) in the UK, and how this challenges all teachers to take an active part in changing the situation. Mini case studies follow of how students’ lives are disadvantaged because of difficulties associated with skills for life, and examples of how opportunities to learn can improve and transform their situations. The chapter then offers an opportunity for you to profile your own background, achievements and barriers relating to language, literacy and numeracy. Considering how this has affected your life chances and career to date will help you understand why this is so important for teachers and their students, and to relate more closely to your students’ own experiences. The chapter closes with some key tips for all teachers in working with skills for life.
