How to improve your maths skills as an adult learner
If you're looking to improve your maths skills, look no further. We round up the best free resources, courses and qualifications to make use of as an adult maths learner.
March 14 is International Day of Mathematics (IDM), also known as Pi Day. This day helps promote the importance of maths and its role in society. Established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2019, the IDM raises awareness about the importance of maths in various aspects of everyday life, including science, technology, engineering, economics, finance, and social sciences.
It's a good day to pay attention to if you're looking to be a maths improver, as it encourages the development of maths literacy and numeracy skills among people of all ages. Promoting the idea that maths is accessible and relevant to anyone, regardless of your past qualifications and where you are in your career right now.
Maths anxiety and adults
If your fear of maths has held you back so far, you may have something known as maths anxiety. This is a strong negative response to maths and is common for a variety of reasons, including negative school experiences, challenges understanding mathematical concepts, and a lack of confidence in one's abilities.
According to new research from KPMG UK and the charity National Numeracy, over a third of adults (35 percent) say that doing maths makes them feel anxious, while one in five (20 percent) are so fearful that it even makes them feel physically sick.
The study of 3,000 UK adults found that numeracy gives many feelings of fear or unease, while almost a third (29 per cent) say they actively try to avoid anything to do with numbers and data.
For nearly a third (32 per cent), the cost-of-living crisis has placed more significant pressure on their numeracy skills, and of those with low number confidence, the same percentage even say it affects their mental wellness.
More than half (52 per cent) of adults say they stopped studying maths at school, and as many as two-thirds (66 per cent) agree that you only realise how critical maths skills are once you're older and use them to navigate daily life.
Maths anxiety is another reason to return to math as an adult. As the experts say, math can be learnt by anyone with the right teaching, help, and practice.
Start with foundational maths
A good place to start is with foundational maths concepts to build your understanding. This means reviewing fundamental arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as basic algebraic concepts like equations and variables.
If that sounds too daunting, head to National Numeracy, a UK charity committed to building the number confidence and skills. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free and easy-to-use website that will boost your maths confidence with numbers. Utilise it on your phone, tablet or computer. Save your progress and dip in and out in your own time.
The BBC also offers maths for adults with free videos and downloadable worksheets to help you improve your calculation and numeracy skills.
Work with a Maths tutor
A maths tutor is another excellent way to build your math skills, whether you want to take a qualification or not.
A tutor can tailor their teaching approach to your learning style, pace, and preferences. If you need help understanding certain math concepts or topics, a tutor can provide clear explanations and demonstrations to help you grasp the underlying principles and techniques.
They can also assess your current level of understanding and develop a customised learning plan to address your strengths, weaknesses, and learning goals while focusing on building foundational skills and confidence in maths.
Enrol in a course or try an online course
There are many adult courses out there, often in the evenings and held by local colleges. Many, like City Lit offer online courses and offline places. Contact your local colleges, libraries and council for details about what's available in your area.
The WEA has a range of functional maths courses that are free including a foundation one that helps you progress to the Functional Skills Maths qualification. This particular course helps you learn the necessary maths skills to bridge the gap between entry-level and Level 1 and Level 2 functional maths.
The government Education hub also has free maths courses that allow people to gain either a GCSE or a Functional Skills Qualification. You can find a course near you on the National Careers Service website.
Work towards a maths qualification
As you build your maths skills, you may choose to work towards a maths qualification. The most popular maths course adults take is Functional Skills Maths Level 2, which is a GCSE equivalent. Functional Skills Level 2 is the fast-track GCSE option that most adult learners take because it can be done online and at any point throughout the year. The course uses real-life examples to help you learn maths.
This level 2 course has the following modules: Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Using common measures, shape and space. Handling information and data. Solving mathematical problems and decision-making
This course is assessed with one exam. You can sit your Functional Skills Maths Level 2 exams remotely or at a test centre. Once you have this qualification, you can apply for jobs, higher education courses, apprenticeships and training courses where a GCSE Maths pass grade (9-4 / A*-C) or equivalent is an entry requirement.