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 Home Lifelong Learning Essential skills What are Basic Skills?
What are Basic Skills?
Basic skills are about reading, writing and using numbers. They cover a range of levels and abilities – from simply being able to read a poster or fill in a form at work, to being able to write lengthy letters, do agendas and take minutes of meetings.
The official definition of basic skills is ‘the ability to read, write and speak English and use maths at a level needed to function and progress in society and in general.’
Sometimes people use other names to describe basic skills, like ‘Skills for Life’ or ‘Essential Skills’. Whatever they are called, without them Usdaw members will face increasing difficulty in the world of work, at home and even in aspects of their union work.
The term basic skills is used to cover three main levels: Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2. Usdaw members can take a recognised test to see what level they are at, or to see how their learning has progressed.
Remember all basic skills courses and qualifications up to and including level two are FREE! For further information on basic skills please see the Usdaw leaflet ‘There is nothing basic about basic skills’ .Some people find it difficult to develop their literacy and numeracy skills because they have a specific learning difficulty. This is commonly called dyslexia.
- One person in 10 is mildly affected and one person in 25 is seriously affected by dyslexia.
- More than 12,000 Usdaw members are seriously affected by dyslexia, and more than 30,000 to some extent.
- A dyslexic may need specialist teaching from a tutor that understands their needs. For further information please see the 'Usdaw Guide to Dyslexia'.
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