Skills for life teacher

Career path and progression

There may be opportunities to move into more senior roles like head of department, or to train other teachers.

You could be self-employed and work as a freelancer.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to work on your own
• leadership skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

You'll need a minimum of a level 3 qualification, like an A level, in the subject you wish to teach.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• English Language - Skills for life teachers teach English to adults and young people, helping them improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening. A strong understanding of grammar, sentence structure, and how language works is essential for explaining these concepts clearly to learners at different levels.
• Mathematics - Skills for life teachers teach maths to adults and young people who may struggle with numeracy. They need to be confident with topics like fractions, percentages, measurement, and basic data handling so they can break these down into manageable steps for their students.
• Psychology - Skills for life teachers work with learners who may have had negative experiences of education or who face barriers like anxiety and low confidence. Understanding how people learn, what motivates them, and how to support different needs is central to helping students make progress.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Skills for life teachers often work with adults from diverse backgrounds, including people who may face social disadvantage, unemployment, or limited access to education. Understanding how social factors like class, poverty, and inequality affect people's lives helps teachers connect with their students and tailor their support.
• English Literature - Skills for life teachers sometimes use stories, poems, and other texts to engage learners and build their reading confidence. A love of literature and the ability to select accessible, interesting material can make lessons more enjoyable and meaningful for students.
• Business - Skills for life teachers may work as freelancers or self-employed tutors, which means managing their own finances, marketing their services, and building relationships with organisations. Understanding basic business principles helps those who choose to work independently.