We may groan at the thought of having to read Shakespeare or do algebra, or we may revel in studying Keats and learning to multiply fractions. Either way, the study of English and Maths is essential for life beyond the school classroom.

The so called ‘three Rs’ (Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic), as they were once known, have been imperative in education for over 150 years. English and Maths are two of the core subjects at school, with every child having to study them until the age of 16.

Fundamental methods of communication

Reading, writing and speaking are the fundamental ways that we as humans communicate with each other.

Reading enables us to acquire new knowledge and learn facts. This may be from books, magazines, websites or even instruction guides.
Spelling and grammar come into play when we write. Writing aids us to consolidate our knowledge and clarify our thoughts, whether this is with good old paper and pen, or electronic text.

A good grasp of the English language can help us when writing letters, completing job applications and typing blog posts, as we want to be understood by our readers.

Verbal speech is another aspect of language, which serves us in job interviews, sharing information with colleagues, or just chatting to friends – as human beings, language will always be the way we communicate.

Understanding maths helps with money matters

Mathematics has various branches – it’s not just about numbers, but is also to do with shape, spatial awareness, problem-solving, logic and reasoning.

In our daily lives, a basic understanding of maths can assist us with money – for instance paying for goods in shops, it is useful to know how much money we are spending, or looking at our bank balances, we can work out how much we can afford to spend compared with how much income we have.

Maths can also help with games and puzzles such as Sudoku or Tetris, as it uses the same part of our brain that interprets and processes patterns in sequences and shapes.

In addition (no pun intended!), maths can aid in our decision-making – for example if we are lost, we can decide which way to go based on spatial information.

Adult education is available

Unfortunately, a large number of people in the UK – roughly 6-8 million people – are still considered illiterate. This means they struggle to read or write, and have a reading age of less than 11 years.

Help is available though, in the form of adult education courses, which enable people to gain the skills they need to get the relevant qualifications. This can then lead to being able to get a job, and therefore an income and the ability to support themselves.