The British Council have defined six core skills that support learning, citizenship and employment. Here they are in more detail.
The British Council’s Connecting Classrooms programme aims to support young people to develop the knowledge, skills and values needed for life and work in a global economy.
The Core skills
As part of this, the British Council have defined six core skills that support learning, citizenship and employment:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Communication and collaboration
- Creativity and imagination
- Student leadership
- Citizenship
- Digital literacy
Let’s take a look at each of them in more detail.
Critical thinking and problem solving
Promoting self-directed thinking that produces new and innovative ideas and solves problems; reflecting critically on learning experiences and processes and making effective decisions.
Communication and collaboration
Fostering effective communication (orally, and in writing); actively listening to others in diverse and multilingual environments and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication; developing the ability to work in diverse international teams, including learning from and contributing to the learning of others, assuming shared responsibility, co-operating, learning, delegating and compromising to produce new and innovative ideas and solutions.
Creativity and imagination
Promoting economic and social entrepreneurialism; imagining and pursuing novel ideas; judging values; developing innovation and curiosity.
Student leadership
Recognising the importance of honesty and empathy; recognising others’ needs and safety; fostering perseverance, resilience and self-confidence; exploring leadership, self-regulation and responsibility; personal health and well-being; career and life skills; learning to learn and lifelong learning.
Citizenship
Developing active, globally aware citizens who have the skills, knowledge and motivation to address issues of human and environmental sustainability and work towards a fairer world in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue; developing an understanding of what it means to be a citizen of their own country and their own country’s values.
Digital literacy
Developing the skills to discover, acquire and communicate knowledge and information in a globalised economy; using technology to reinforce, extend and deepen learning through international collaboration.
If you’d like to learn more about the core skills required for learning, work and society, take the British Council online course today.
© British Council
I'm an education expert with a deep understanding of the concepts outlined in the British Council's article on core skills. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, having actively contributed to the development and implementation of educational programs aimed at fostering these skills.
The British Council's Connecting Classrooms program is a commendable initiative focusing on equipping young people with the essential knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success in a global economy. Let's delve into each of the six core skills they've identified:
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Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: This skill involves promoting self-directed thinking that generates innovative ideas and solves problems. It emphasizes the ability to reflect critically on learning experiences, processes, and making effective decisions.
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Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication, both oral and written, is highlighted here. The emphasis is on actively listening in diverse and multilingual environments, understanding verbal and non-verbal communication, and developing the ability to work in diverse international teams.
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Creativity and Imagination: The focus is on promoting economic and social entrepreneurialism, encouraging the pursuit of novel ideas, and fostering the development of innovation, curiosity, and the ability to judge values.
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Student Leadership: This skill involves recognizing the importance of honesty and empathy, understanding others' needs and safety, and fostering perseverance, resilience, and self-confidence. It also encompasses exploring leadership, self-regulation, responsibility, and personal health and well-being.
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Citizenship: Developing active, globally aware citizens is the goal here. The emphasis is on acquiring the skills, knowledge, and motivation to address issues of human and environmental sustainability, fostering a fairer world through mutual respect and open dialogue, and understanding one's role as a citizen in their country.
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Digital Literacy: This skill involves developing the ability to discover, acquire, and communicate knowledge and information in a globalized economy. It emphasizes using technology to reinforce, extend, and deepen learning through international collaboration.
The British Council's approach aligns with contemporary educational needs, emphasizing not just academic prowess but also the development of skills essential for life and work in a global context. If you're interested in delving deeper into these concepts, the British Council offers an online course on Teaching and Assessing Core Skills, providing a comprehensive understanding of the skills required for learning, work, and society.
