Perceptions of low skill workers concerning life skills education for students with special needs in Lebanon

Abstract

Life skills are the skills that are used in daily life in order for an individual to survive and interact appropriately and productively with the society and the environment. The purpose of this qualitative study is to find out what life skills are needed by low-skill workers in Lebanon in order to compile a list of life skills which can be used as a basis for a life skills curriculum adapted to the Lebanese culture and community for individuals with special needs. In order to achieve its objectives, the study employed a semi-structured interview with low-skill workers in Lebanon. The interview questions target the five main dimensions of life skills education, which are Self Care and Hygiene, Social Communication and Relationships, Housing and Commutation, Career and Money Management and Looking Forward, and Making Plans. After the interviews have been done and the life skills were extracted from them, the research provided a list of over 250 life skills which are adaptable to the Lebanese community.