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Learning this time around was much easier.- Eniola
Understanding maths is easier than you think
You're in the right place to find out exactly how you can improve your maths skills, and your life. In fact, you've already taken the first step by visiting this site!
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Watch Eniola's story and read about Mirwais' experience below.
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Eniola's story
My name is Eniola, I'm 24 years old and I'm from Deptford, in London.
The courses I did were adult numeracy and adult literacy at Levels One and Two.
The reason I took the courses was to improve my maths and English skills, and to help me apply for firefighter and prison officer jobs. I also wanted to go to uni and study Criminology and Sociology.
When I was at school I thought I was ‘all that’ because I was playing for a professional football club, West Ham, and I was playing for the London District at the same time. So I never really learnt anything in school. I wasn't interested in maths or english, because I thought I didn't need them.
Learning this time around was much easier because when I walked into the centre I felt everybody was in the same boat as me and there was a reason why I was there. I was interested in what I was being taught and what I had to learn. So it was easier for me.
The structure of the class wasn't really a class. You walk in and then you log into your learning. You can learn at your own pace and if you need help you can go to the teacher as much as you want and they're willing to help you. If you don't understand things, they will be there to help you and support you.
I felt really proud of myself when the course finished, because I was accepted into the University of Manchester. To be honest, when it came to a stop after the last exams, I felt kind of empty because I was learning every day - cracking maths equations. I was actually looking for another course to do.
My friends and family were really supportive towards it because I was actually learning things other than playing football.
Just the other day my mum was counting some money and we had to work out the percentage of something. Before, I just would have walked away and said ‘Mum, you do it’. This time around we cracked it together.
My life has improved massively to be honest. It's really helped me and when I look at university courses and they require English A-C or maths A-C I've got them, there's nothing for me to worry about.
Mirwais' story
Hi my name is Mirwais and I came from Afghanistan to England 5 years ago. I'm 20 years old and I live in London. I'm not working at the moment, but I do help out my dad and brother on their market stall when I can.
Since I was small I've wanted to be a Mechanical Engineer, and my family wanted that for me too. I'd never studied in this country before so I didn't have GCSE maths which was a real barrier to gaining further qualifications.
I didn't even know how to get started on the path to studying Mechanical Engineering, but my local Connexions office pointed me in the right direction, and helped get me on to the right maths course. They recommended that I signed up for Levels One and Two literacy and numeracy to get the qualifications I needed for university.
I was nervous about studying again, but the other students and my teacher soon helped me get over my nerves.
When I came to the UK I was faced with big changes in the way they teach and the way I was learning. The teacher was very different to teachers I‘d had in the past. At home teachers were so strict. My tutor in the UK treated me really nicely. She tried to understand me in a good way and helped me so I could understand the lesson. I felt really happy after the first class.
I'd recommend the classes to other people because they're helpful in improving your skills for daily life. Since doing the course I feel much more confident. I've gained knowledge about lots of new things as well as maths and literacy. I am hoping to apply for university next year, and now, when I help my dad and my brother out on their stall I can work out the profits and prices more easily. It really helps.
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Newsagent Nightmare 2
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