Spelling&Maths ruining my life.

LegacyUser

I have a problem that’s ruining my life!

I’m a 26 year old guy and I have really weak spelling and grammar and as for math’s, I basically can’t add 3 to 7 without writing it down or using a phone. I don’t understand percentages, dividing and multiplying make no sense to me.

I think I hide this well from people, I always write my emails in word and get the computer to do the spelling for me, even this post, it’s all written in word, the only reason everything is spelt correct or near enough is the PC and spell check.

I’m so scared of hand writing anything in front of anyway as even basic words a 5 year old could spell give me trouble.
I don’t have any learning difficulties, in fact bar the spelling and math’s I’d consider myself a pretty cultured guy.

This problem is holding me back in life and I want to do something about it before it’s too late. I’m sick of having sleepless nights about it.

Can anyone help me out; is their people who give private adult lessons in reading, spelling and math’s in Dublin city? I’d be willing to pay any amount; I just want to get this gremlin off my back once and for all.

Thank you for listening.

Nevyn

Find out where your local adult eduction centre is, they run evening classes just for this type of thing.

http://www.codubvec.ie/index.cfm/go/schools/search/1/

JuliusCaesar

You can also get one-to-one classes in Literacy & Numeracy, free of charge. Can't remember the name of the organisation, but they advertised heavily a while ago. Your local library will have information on this - you can ask at the counter or if you are embarrassed ask for information on local services. Community Resources centres are good, or just google Literacy Ireland.

Lollipops23

you wouldn't believe the amount of people out there who have similar problems with spelling,reading or maths. at least you've realised there's a problem.i'd also suggest looking into an adult education centre programme.

littlebug

www.literacy.ie
This is a new website set up by the National Adult Literacy Agency (www.nala.ie). There are lots of useful online resources and contacts listed to get you started. There is also a helpline freephone 1800 20 20 65 .

NALA work with various other educational agencies and they organise assessment and one to one literacy tutoring.

rabalder

hello,
I have the same problem too and struggled with it all my life. Two years ago I was assessed for dyslexia, which I was diagnosed with. Its helped me understand the why I struggle with "simple" things like maths and spelling. Its really helpful to go along to adult education classes as mentioned above. It helped me build my confidence in spelling and maths, and although I still would get flustered with spelling words in peoples presence, Goggle is always their to help or my pocket spellchecker!

pepsi1234

For what it's worth, I think you have a great writing style. Really clear and succint.

As for spelling may I suggest reading a lot (boards.ie would be good). Also writing out a word a few times.
Breaking things into blocks also help. For example if you take telephone numbers, such as 0861874384. It would be much easier to remember it in blocks: ie 086-187-438-4. Try breaking words into syllables in a similar way.
Good luck!

banquo

Unreg, I used to be a tutor for NALA, National Adult Literacy Association.

Tuition is free, based on a weekly 2-hour session. Sessions are 1 to 1.

It's just regular people tutoring.

*You can turn up any week.
*Half of students come for one week and are too nervous to turn up the following week. Thus, if you came one week, didn't turn up for 5 weeks in a row, and went back, you'd be welcomed like nothing ever happened.
*You can just say 'I'm bad at this', and your tutor will explain it to you at your own pace.

It really is a wonderful service, and all run voluntarily. I'd recommend that you find your local NALA centre and give it a go. In fact, most people go to centres that are far from their house because they're afraid of running into people they know!

There is absolutely no shame involved. We're all bad at some stuff. Everytime there's a thread in After Hours called 'The stupidest stuff you've ever done' I dominate half the damn thing.

[edit]

unreg, I'm free most saturday nights (no jokes, I have a gf!) and I'd be happy to talk you through some stuff. No charge, I think it's wrong to charge for this kinda stuff. PM me? I live in dublin city too.

[/edit]

Victor

Unregistered wrote: »

I think I hide this well from people, I always write my emails in word and get the computer to do the spelling for me, even this post, it’s all written in word, the only reason everything is spelt correct or near enough is the PC and spell check.

If only more people would do this! I would often spellcheck my posts and e-mails.

I'm doing proof-reading at the moment and you would be surprised at the number of mistakes everybody else makes - you are not alone.

Four Five spelling mistakes removed from this post.

Trinity

NALA is great OP you should try them.

You should get yourself assessed, could be dyslexia which is very common, very frustrating to some, but you might cut yourself a break if you know there is a reason behind it!

LegacyUser

I am pretty much the same OP. Maths is a major problem for me. I can add things without using my fingers or my phone. Subtraction is the same. Multiplication and division impossible for me to do in my head. It can be really terrifying even working in a shop when someone asks you to do a simple calculation. The fear is always there that I will be asked something I cant work out, and there is no calculator to hand. Its funny, I am so bad at arithmetic but I got a B in pass maths in the Leaving! I dont really have a problem with Reading or spelling, its just the maths. Anyone know if there is a maths version of Dyslexia? Im going to have a look at NALA anyway, its time I got this sorted out.

randylonghorn

Unregistered wrote: »

I don’t have any learning difficulties, in fact bar the spelling and math’s I’d consider myself a pretty cultured guy.

This sentence just rang a bell for me. Don't make the mistake of assuming that dyslexia or any specific learning difficulty implies lack of intelligence, or that there is any relationship between the two.

I know extremely bright, intelligent people with dyslexia, including a university lecturer.

Put out of your head any thought that admitting your difficulties to those involved with literacy and asking for help will cause them to judge you; they won't.

Trinity

Another unreg wrote: »

I am pretty much the same OP. Maths is a major problem for me. I can add things without using my fingers or my phone. Subtraction is the same. Multiplication and division impossible for me to do in my head. It can be really terrifying even working in a shop when someone asks you to do a simple calculation. The fear is always there that I will be asked something I cant work out, and there is no calculator to hand. Its funny, I am so bad at arithmetic but I got a B in pass maths in the Leaving! I dont really have a problem with Reading or spelling, its just the maths. Anyone know if there is a maths version of Dyslexia? Im going to have a look at NALA anyway, its time I got this sorted out.

Yes its called a Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD). Had this problem been identified in school you would have got a waiver for the leaving cert.

Its amazing now the amount of adults got through their school years without anyone noticing these difficulties or availing of help. Perhaps there was none.

The services in schools are few and far between but at least the children with problems can now be indentified, assessed and then the proper structures put in place, albeit they may have to fight for it.