Lesson #1: Introduction to Essential Skills

To develop an awareness Essential Skills

• Know what Essential Skills are
• Be able to name all 9 Essential Skills

Essential Skills are skills that people need for work, life and everyday learning. You use Essential Skills everyday without realizing it.

You have used Essential Skills if you have

• used a map to get somewhere
• used a TTY
• used a Blackberry
• paid bills
• used an ATM
• read an email
• wrote a letter
• asked for directions
• took a class
• volunteered

There are 9 Essential Skills, they are

• Reading
• Writing
• Document Use
• Numeracy (math)
• Communication
• Computer Use
• Thinking Skills
• Working with Others
• Continuous Learning

Essential Skills provide people the foundational skills needed to learn other skills. Essential Skills are used in many different ways and at different levels of ability.

Working alone or in a group, watch the video. Each time you see an Essential Skills being used, write down the Essential Skill you saw. Talk about each of your answers.