Education: vocabulary Definitions

 to attend classes: to go to classes

 bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
 boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
 distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the
Internet or by post
 face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of
studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
 to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
 to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
 a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or
her academic degree
 higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is
followed after high school or secondary school
 an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a
goal in as short a time as possible
 to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
 to learn something by heart: to memorize it
 a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually
returned to education after a period at work
 masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a
bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-
level academic course
 to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
 to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
 private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
 public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
 a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a
mixed-sex school)
 to sit an exam: to take an exam
  state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general
public
 subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the
subject they teach.
 to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting
university
 tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
 to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to
support yourself financially

Speaking Idioms about Studying

Run-of-the-mill (adj.) = ordinary, normal I was a run-of-the-mill student

= a normal, average student.

To burn the midnight oil = stay up late at night to study I used to burn
the midnight oil the night before an important exam at university.

To pass with flying colours = to pass with a very good score / mark /
grade I did so well in my driving test, I passed with flying colours!

To be a breeze = to be easy My biology exam was a breeze, I knew all

the answers.

To be a walk in the park = to be easy My IELTS test was not a walk in

the park.

To scrape a pass = to only just pass (almost fail, but actually pass) The
pass mark was 70%, I got 71%, I just managed to scraped a pass.

To go blank = when you can’t think of anything to say In the middle of

my interview, I went blank. What a disaster!

To rack your brains = to try and think of something I don’t know what
to put in my presentation tomorrow, I am racking my brains, but can’t
come up with any ideas.

Hit the Books=The idiom Hit the books signifies that one should believe
in action rather than anything else. It means to study hard or to start
studying seriously.
 Idiom/Saying Explanation
To be a bookworm.
For example:
Someone who reads a lot.
"He's always reading. He's a real
bookworm."

To be a copycat.
For example:
Someone who does or says exactly
"She always copies my work, she's the same as someone else.
such a copycat."

To learn something off by heart.

For example: To learn something in such a way
"I learnt all the vocabulary off by that you can say it from memory.
heart."

To learn the hard way.

For example:
To have a bad experience.
"I told her not to marry him. But she
had to learn the hard way."

To learn the ropes.

For example:
To learn how to do a job.
"She's new here and is still learning
the ropes."

To learn your lesson

For example:
To suffer a bad experience and
"I got very drunk once and was know not to do it again
really sick. I won't do it again, I
learnt my lesson."
To live and learn
For example: Said when you hear or discover
"I never knew that she was married. something which is surprising:
Oh well, you live and learn."

The school of hard knocks.

For example: Often said about people who haven't
"He learnt the hard way at the school had an easy life.
of hard knocks."

To be a swot.
For example: A student who is ridiculed for
"They called her a swot because she studying excessively.
was always reading books."

To teach an old dog new tricks.

For example:
The older you are the more set in
"He could never learn how to use the your ways you become.
Internet. Just shows you can't teach
an old dog new tricks."

To be teacher's pet.

For example: To be the favourite pupil of the

teacher.
"She always has the right answer.
She's a real teacher's pet."
To teach someone a lesson.
For example: To do something to someone,
"I hit him hard on the nose. That usually to punish them.
taught him a lesson."

To teach your grandmother to To give advice to someone about a

suck eggs. subject that they already know more
about than you
For example:
"He tried to tell me how to drive and
I told him not to try and teach your
grandmother to suck eggs. I've
been driving for years."

The three Rs.

For example: Used to refer to the basic areas of
education: reading,
"Some children are leaving school writing and arithmetic.
without even the basic three Rs."

The University of Life.

For example: People who never went on to higher
education often say this.
"I studied at the University of Life."

With flying colours.

For example: If you do something such as pass an
"She got into the university of her exam with flying colours, you do it
choice, because she passed all her very successfully.
exams with flying colours."

Talking about your studies is such an important topic Not only in

the introduction where they ask “Do you work or are you a student?”,
but also for other closely related topics such as:

 Your school
 A teacher you know
 Skills you have learned
 Concentration
 Education
 A hobby
Here are some useful phrases to talk about your studies in Speaking
I’m a student at university
I’m a student at the university of London
To talk about your studies you can use either present simple or present
continuous
I study French
I am studying French

In addition, you can use the present perfect continuous to say how long
you have studied.
I’ve been studying for 2 months
Notice we use FOR to describe a period of time
I’ve been studying since July
Notice we use SINCE to describe a point in time

Finally, you can develop your answer a little by adding which year you
are in.
I’m in my first / second / final year
Next, we can talk about whether you like your studies and your ability.
You should develop your answer a little and say why you like it (or not)
I like it

because I think
it’s going to be really useful for my future career

I don’t like it too much

mainly because the teacher we have ,is a bit boring

he doesn’t engage us at all

I am good at French

I’m not bad at French

I am bad at Italian
Part 1-style questions

Examiner: Are you studying English at a school?

Michel: Yes … I’m taking an intensive course at a local private
language school … I attend classes three times a week …

Examiner: Would you say you are a good student?

Susan: I’m OK I think … I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and
I’m keeping up with my studies … plus I find it quite easy to learn
things by heart which is useful when learning a language …

Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school?

Theo: Yes … I liked school … it was an ordinary state school …

nothing special … a single-sex school … which I’m not sure I liked …
but the teachers were great … I had lots of friends and I never played
truant like some pupils there …
Part 2-style task

Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:

 when this period was

 where you were
 what you were studying at the time

and say why you were so happy.

Caroline: I’d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a

mature student … I didn’t go to university until I was 25 … and it
was my first time away from my parents so it was very exciting … I
was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge … some
people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years
… plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy …
and sitting exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me
as well but I really enjoyed higher education learning about a subject
I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don’t
think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation
ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were
really proud … so yes … that was a really happy time … I’m thinking
of doing a Masters Degree soon … though that might be
through distance learning as I have a full-time job now …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: What qualities do you think a good teacher has?

Anna: They should be patient … they should be subject
specialists and be able to explain the subject clearly … they
should give feedback quickly … for example not hang on to essay for
ages like some of my teachers …

Examiner: What are the advantages of studying on a distance learning

course?
Florrie: It’s a more flexible way of studying especially if you have a
job … tuition fees are usually cheaper … but you have to be very
motivated … and I would imagine more people fall behind with their
studies compared to face-to-face classes …

Examiner: Do all children get equal opportunities in education?

Julie: In my country I think it is quite equal but in the UK I’ve heard
that most people who go to the top universities have studied at public
schools … you have to be very rich to study in a school like that …
they’re usually boarding schools as well so the fees are enormous …
Choose the correct option for each gap.

1. 1After John finishes nursery, he’ll go to _____.

a.secondary school
b.high school
c.college
d.primary school
2. 2I’m thinking about _____ chemistry next year because I’m finding it
very boring.
a.enrolling
b.dropping
c.failing
d.sitting
3. The teacher called Tim’s parents because he hadn’t been _____ any of
his classes.
a.doing
b.sitting
c.attending
d.graduating
4. I am currently doing a _____ on the ancient Egyptians for history class.
a.exam
b.project
c.research
d.presentation
5. I was very relieved when I found out that I’d _____ all my exams.
a.sat
b.passed
c.got
d.revised
6.I always feel anxious before giving a _____
a.presentation
b.essay
c.exam
d.research

7. She decided to _____ in a photography course to improve her skills.

a.enrol
b.drop
c.sit
d.get
8. Tom turns 11 next year, so he’ll start _____ in September.
a.college
b.primary school
c.university
d.middle school
9. I _____ a lot of notes in yesterday’s science class.
a.did
b.took
c.passed
d.handed in

10. _____ good grades important to me, so I study very hard.

a.Doing
b.Attending
c.Getting
d.Dropping

1. d 2.b 3.c 4.b 5.b 6.a 7.a 8.d 9.b 10.c

Choose the correct options.
A: So, how are you 1…………………. at your new school?

B: OK, thanks.

A: What subjects did you choose?

B: It was a difficult 2…………………. but I chose English, Spanish,

history and media studies. I’m waiting to hear if I 3…………………. to
the music club, too.

B: You’re going to be busy!

A: I know. There’s a lot of 4…………………. about college and

further 5…………………. as well. We have to 6…………………. our
college applications soon, but I’m not sure if I want to apply.

B: Did you know that some colleges offer one-week visits

to 7…………………. university life? That might help
you 8…………………. .

1 A getting on B going on C joining in

2 A registration B decision C action

3 A got in B got on C went for

4 A preparation B permission C discussion

5 A education B educate C educational

6 A hand in B give out C rea d out

7 A put off B stay behind C try out

8 A join in things B figure things out C give out things

Answer
2B 3A 4C 5A 6A 7C 8B
Discussion questions about education
1. Do you think you received a good education?
2. Were you a good student at school?
3. What are the three most important school subjects?
4. Should foreign languages be taught at school?
5. At what age should children be allowed to leave school?
6. What do you think about the education system in your country?
7. Is the standard of education getting better or worse?
8. Is it right that some parents send their children to private schools?
9. Should an education prepare people for work or for life?
10. Should children learn practical skills like cooking at school?
11. What is the main purpose of education?
12. What makes a great teacher?
13. Can you remember a great teacher from school?
14. Are teachers paid enough?
15. Should university education be free?
16. Which is the best university in the world?
17. Do you think there is enough discipline in schools today?
18. Should corporal punishment be allowed in schools?
19. Can technology help improve the standard of education?
20. Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in class?
21. Are school uniforms a good idea?