Fort St. John math workshop coming in March

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Adults can improve their math skills at a workshop in Fort St. John to address a decreasing rate of numeracy competency in Canada.

The workshop, arranged by the Fort St. John Literacy Society and ABC Everyday Numbers, will focus on basic math skills, pattern recognition and other foundational concepts.

“The society really wants to promote literacy and provide learning opportunities to the community and we think it’s really important so we would love to see people come out,” said Azaria Richards, program coordinator with the Fort St. John Literacy Society.

The workshop will use paper-based materials for questions and problems and an instructor or facilitator will be present to help.

Materials in other formats, like online courses, will also be also offered. 

According to Richards, over half of Canadian adults score in the three lowest skill levels in numeracy. 

“Numeracy is down in Canada and many people just don’t have that confidence in their math skills,” said Richards. 

She says the workshop will be a place where people can come and learn and make mistakes. 

“This will be a chance to be in a non-judgmental environment, to make mistakes, and that it’s okay to learn,” added Richards. 

Alison Howard, executive director at ABC Life Literacy Canada — which oversees the Everyday Numbers program, explained increasing numeracy skills can have great benefits even in adulthood. 

“It affects almost all aspects of your life, whether it’s managing finances, healthcare, to go online safely, look at materials that you need for health and helping children with their education,” said Howard.

“It’s important to remember that lifelong learning is something that doesn’t stop when your formal education ends.”

Richards says ABC Everyday Numbers is a “great program” that provides opportunities for the literacy society and other organizations. 

“[It] provides resources to nonprofits like us, where we can offer workshops and programs to increase literacy in the community,” said Richards. 

The free event will be held on Monday, March 24th, at the Fort St. John Literacy Society building at 10136 100th Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

Those interested in attending the workshop can visit the literacy society’s Facebook page, email slsw@fsjliteracy.ca, or call 250-785-2110.

Correction: it was previously reported at Alison Howard is the executive director at ABC Everyday Numbers. Howard is the executive director at ABC Life Literacy Canada.