education vocabulary list advanced

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It’s very common for candidates to be asked about their school, college or university experience, so a good range of education vocabulary is something you definitely need to develop.

This page should make that easy for you as it contains over 150 everyday words and phrases related to study, education and teaching. For each, I’ve included an explanation and added a sample sentence to show it in context. This will help you to learn how to use it correctly.

Don’t try to learn them all. Look at my suggestions below as to the best way to use this extensive list of education vocabulary.

Here are some of the categories covered:

• Educational institutions
• Course types & levels
• Qualifications
• People in education
• Subjects & facilities
• Academic work

As well as your own experience of education, you could be asked your opinion on wider issues such as the quality of teaching or education system in your country, equal opportunities, technology in schools and many other related topics. The list of education vocabulary will equip you to create answers for these types of subjects as well.

Also on this page are three other things that will help you prepare for questions about education:

• IELTS-style questions on the topic of education
• Sample answers
• Links to online reading & listening resources

You’ll find PDF downloads of both the questions and sample answers and the education vocabulary list at the bottom of the respective sections.

The questions relate to the Speaking test because this part of the exam offers the broadest range of possible questions on the topic of education. They give the best opportunity for me to demonstrate the vocabulary and for you to practise using it.

I’ve included IELTS-style questions and answers for all three parts of the Speaking test. I've highlighted key words and phrases in  bold .

You'll find these words and phrases, and many others, in the vocabulary list beneath. There’s an audio to listen to their pronunciation.

The education vocabulary list contains words and phrases relevant to all parts of the IELTS exam.

Finally, at the bottom of the page I've added links to topical articles, short videos and podcasts that will help you to improve both your education vocabulary and your reading and listening skills.

Let’s begin with the sample questions.

IELTS-Style Speaking Test Questions and Answers

Common education vocabulary is highlighted in  bold .

1) At what age do children begin school in your country?

Formal education starts at five years of age but most children go to preschool when they are around three. This isn’t compulsory but really helps them to develop socially.

2) What kind of school did you go to as a child?

My family moved around a lot when I was growing up so I went to many different schools including three primary schools , a grammar school and a co-educational comprehensive school . I even attended a private school for a year.

3) Did you enjoy your time at school?

I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed my early education . With changing schools so often, I was always the new kid which I found hard.

4) Would you say you were a good student?

Yes, I was definitely a good pupil . I was a quiet, shy child who never caused my teachers any trouble or played truant . I worked hard on my coursework and got on well with my peers .

5) Did you do any extra-curricular activities?

Back in my day, there weren’t many opportunities to do extra-curricular activities . However, I was in the school choir at my secondary school . We use to put on concerts and one year we did a tour of Germany.

Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school.

You should say:

• when and where you started studying it
• what lessons were like
• what made it different from other subjects

and explain why you enjoyed the subject.

There There were three subjects I particularly enjoyed at school, English , geography and P.E. but if I had to choose a favourite, I guess it would be geography .

I suppose you start learning about the natural features around you and other countries in primary school but geography first appeared on the curriculum as a specific subject in secondary school . I’d been fascinated with other places and cultures for as long as I could remember. My dad had travelled a lot and had a large map on the wall with pins in all the countries he’d been to. I loved looking at it so perhaps that’s where my interest in geography first started.

The geography classroom was great; full of globes, atlases and books about places that were very different to where I lived. We had a nice teacher called Mrs Rose who used lots of pictures and maps in her lessons . This was perfect for me as I’m a visual learner. If Mrs Rose had just talked all the time, as some of our teachers did, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the subject so much or learnt so easily.

I even liked doing geography homework . I can remember sitting at my desk at home spending hours carefully drawing maps and adding all the features. When my mum took me to the library on a Saturday morning, I’d look for adventure stories set around the world or books on how people live in other countries.

When I reached the sixth form and had to choose just three subjects to study, geography was one of them, although I actually failed my final exam. My family moved house yet again just before I took it and I was very unsettled. I had a private tutor for a few months then retook the exam and got a good grade.

At university ,  I trained as a  teacher myself. I chose primary education so taught geography along with many other subjects. However, during one of my training placements, the headteacher asked me to spend three weeks teaching the subject to every class in the small village school, from 5 year olds up to 11 year olds. It was one of the happiest times in the whole of my career even though I hadn’t even got my teaching qualification yet.

1) What impact do universities have on the places where they’re located?

I believe that the presence of a university in a town or city has a significant positive impact on the area. For a start, it's often the largest employer, offering jobs at all levels from cleaners and maintenance staff to lecturers and top academics .

Large educational institutions like this bring in lots of investment from around the world from foreign students and for important research projects. The presence of thousands of students during term times is also a massive boost to the local economy.

In addition to the financial benefits, there several ways in which universities contribute socially. For example, university towns and cities tend to be vibrant, with a great social life due to the large numbers of young adults living there. What’s more, the campus itself usually has a number of facilities that can be used by local people. A university city I used to live in had an excellent theatre that attracted top plays, shows and performers from around the country.

2) What is it more important for academics to do, research or teaching?

It was only recently, after reading an article about a local university , that I realised just how much research goes on in them. It was about a new facility in the medical faculty and outlined the important research they will now be able to carry out on stem cells and brain tumours. This type of work is vital if we are to combat illness and disease in the future.

For most people though, universities are places of learning where you go to get your degree and prepare for your future career, so teaching must have a high priority. As teachers , academics have the role of passing on knowledge to the next generation.

Weighing it up, I think that the teaching side of their work is the most important because unless they instruct and inspire their students , there will be no-one to fill the most important jobs in society or to carry on the research work the academics do.

3) What are the advantages of studying a distance learning course?

For many people, especially mature students who work, distance learning is the ideal way to study. There are several benefits that immediately come to mind. Firstly, the cost is far less than it would be to attend a college or university with their high tuition fees .

Secondly, you can study anywhere and in your own time and at your own pace. Some students , myself included, find that this method of learning suits them better than sitting in lectures or going to tutorials . You do have to be self-motivated to keep up with the coursework though, and you still get assignments to write and sometimes a dissertation , but you can fit these around your daily life.

Thirdly, there’s a huge range of correspondence courses and online courses available these days so you can take almost any subject you want to and even study for a degree qualification this way. So all in all, distance learning courses have many advantages over other methods of study.

Click this link to get a PDF download of these practise questions & sample answers.

Download PDF Now

*  Important

• Do  not  try and learn this list of education vocabulary.
• Identify the vocabulary you find useful for answering practise questions about this topic.
• Record it in your vocabulary notebook and practise using it regularly.

I recommend that you create your own answers to the Speaking questions on this page. You will find many other IELTS-style practise questions by searching online. 

For help on how to learn vocabulary, what to learn and how to record it, visit these pages:

How to Learn Vocabulary for IELTS

Top 6 Types of IELTS Vocabulary & Topic Word Lists

Education Vocabulary  –  Common Words & Phrases

Education Vocabulary Set 1: Key Definitions

education – the process of teaching or learning, especially in a school, college or university, or the knowledge that you get from this

- Education is a low priority for the governments of some developing countries.

- Most children receive their education in schools but some are taught at home.

to educate – to give someone intellectual, moral or social instruction, typically at a school, college or university

- At the school I visited in Kenya the children are educated in classes of over 60 pupils.

educational – relating to the provision of education

- When I was at school we had an educational visit to the British Museum in London to see Tutankhamun’s treasures.

educational institution – a place where people gain an education, such as a school

- We are fortunate to have many excellent educational institutions in our area.

formal education – education  normally delivered by trained teachers in a systematic way in a school, college or university.

- In Norway, formal education starts when children reach the age of six.

compulsory education – the legally-required period of time that children are expected to attend school. In the western world, these laws generally require that children attend school from the ages of 5 to 16 or 18.

- One day, a formal education will hopefully be compulsory for all children.

Education Vocabulary Pronunciation

Education Vocabulary Set 2: Educational institutions

preschool – a school for children who are too young to begin their formal education

- Most children in the UK go to a preschool but it isn’t compulsory.

nursery school (UK)/ kindergarten (US) – preschool education

- In the UK, most children begin nursery school at the age of four.

primary school (UK)/ elementary school (US) – the type of school for children ages 5-11

- Bindi was so excited about starting primary school when the new term started in September.

primary education – the education of 5-11 year olds

- In an ideal world, primary education would be compulsory in every country.

secondary school (UK)/ high school (US)  – the type of school for children age 11 to 16, sometimes 18

- I want to teach in a secondary school when I finish my teacher training as I really enjoy working with older pupils.

co-educational/mixed – a school where girls and boys are taught together.

- These days, most schools in the UK are co-educational .

single-sex school – a school for either male or female students but not both

- Both my parents went to single-sex schools but it’s more normal these days to go to a mixed school.

state school – a school that is funded and controlled by the government and for which no fees are charged

- The government is facing growing criticism for the underfunding of state schools .

comprehensive school – a state school that accepts pupils regardless of their level of academic ability or achievement

- There is an ongoing debate as to whether all young people should attend comprehensive schools or if schools that select pupils on academic ability are still relevant.

grammar school (UK) – state secondary  school  that selects their pupils by means of an examination taken by children at age 11

- Although many people are against selective education where some school places go to the most academically able pupils, grammar schools are still popular.

private school – a school that is not supported by government money, where education must be paid for by the children’s parents

- Jonah’s parents decided to pay for him to go to a private school because most classes only had 20 pupils in.

private education – education parents have to pay for

- Only a small percentage of parents can afford to give their children a private education .

public school (UK) – an exclusive, expensive school, run independently

public school (US) – a school which is free and paid for by the government

higher education (also called tertiary education ) – education beyond the age at which it is compulsory, usually in a college or university

- Most of Vijay’s friends wanted to leave school and get a job as soon as possible but he was determined to go on to higher education to improve his career prospects.

boarding school – a school where students live and study during the school term.

- Yu Yang hated boarding school as she missed her family and felt very homesick.

college – a place of higher education where people study specialized subjects or undertake vocational training for a skilled job

- Hugo applied for a place at the local college to train to be a chef.

university – a high-level educational institution where students study for degrees and academic research is done.

- Fuyuko wanted to study nursing at university in Australia but had to get a band 7 in her IELTS exam to be accepted.

Education  Vocabulary Pronunciation

Education Vocabulary Set 3: Course types & levels

course – a series of lessons in a particular subject

undergraduate – studying for a degree but having not yet achieved it.

postgraduate – having achieved a degree and now studying for a higher qualification, possibly a professions qualification

vocational – education or training directed at a particular occupation and its skills, often requiring practical skills

intensive – fast-paced courses which give a lot of information quickly and in a short time

Education Vocabulary Set 4:  Qualifications

qualification – an official record showing that you have achieved a certain level of education or skill in a particular subject or skill area

- Riya was determined to leave school with good qualifications so she could get a well-paid job to support her family.

certificate – an official record of achievement, generally issued for a short course

- Shona was delighted to be presented her TEFL certificate on passing her course to become an English teacher.

diploma – issued for a higher education course that is shorter than a degree

- Greg did so well in his two-year engineering diploma that his tutor persuaded him to study for another year to qualify for a degree.

bachelor’s degree / or just degree ( BA/BSc etc) – qualification issued by a university or college at the end of three or four years of study

- I’m studying for a bachelor’s degree in marine biology.

- I’m studying for a BA in history.

master’s degree /or just master’s ( MA/MSc etc) – qualification issued by a university when the student has completed further study beyond a degree, often in a more specialisn'ted field than a bachelor’s degree

- Alonso wanted to stay on at university an extra year to study for his master’s but his parents couldn't afford the fees.

doctorate ( PhD ) – the highest level of degree qualification issued by a university

- I’m so proud of my sister for achieving a PhD in biochemistry.

fellowship – a teaching or research post given to a person studying for an advanced degree.

- Being awarded a research fellowship at my university is a dream come true as it enables me to stay on and study for my doctorate.

Education vocabulary Pronunciation

Education Vocabulary Set 5:  People in education

headteacher/ principal  – the person in charge of a school

- Our headteacher had been principal for 12 years when he retired.

teacher – a person who teaches, especially in a school

- My favourite teacher at school was Mr Webber because he made lessons so interesting.

tutor – a teacher who works privately with one student or a small group

- Our son struggles with maths so we’ve got him a private tutor to help him with his work.

lecturer – a person who teaches at a college or university.

- My cousin is a lecturer in physics at the University of London.

professor – a teacher of the highest rank in a department of a British university, or a teacher of high rank in an American university or college

-  Professor Stephen Hawking  was one of the most influential figures in modern science.

an academic – a person who teaches in a college or university and continues to research and increase knowledge about their specialist subject

- She was such a bookworm at school and always in the library researching some topic or other, so it’s no surprise that she became an academic .

pupil – a person, usually a child at school, who is being taught

- The pupils loved Miss Lefebvre’s French lessons as she gave them fun learning games to play.

student – a person, usually a college or university, who is being taught

- The beginning of the academic year was so busy with all the new students starting their college courses.

mature student – an adult student who attends college or university some years after leaving school

- Jose was so grateful for the chance to study for a degree as a mature student having left school with very few qualifications.

a graduate – a person who has finished their college or university education

- University graduates can usually get higher paid jobs than people with vocational skills.

peer – a person who is in the same class, age group or social group as someone else

Pupils these days are under a lot of pressure to dress and behave like their peers .

Education Vocabulary Set 6: School subjects

curriculum – the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college

- Her parents chose the school because it offered a broad curriculum including drama and dance which were her favourite subjects.

syllabus – an outline or summary of the subjects to be covered in a course

- The new syllabus included environmental science which was becoming more popular as a school subject.

maths/math/mathematics – the study of numbers, shapes and space

literature – the study of written works (such as poems, plays, and novels) that are considered to be very good and to have lasting importance

the three R's – the basic educational skills of r eading, w r iting and a r ithmetic (maths)

- Most schools put a high priority on teaching the three R's .

language – a system of communication used by a particular country or community often studied as a subject by non-native speakers

- To her surprise, Jenna found that she was quite good at languages at school.

humanities – studies about human culture, such as literature, languages, philosophy, and history.

- Tuma couldn’t decide whether to study history or philosophy at university so opted for a degree in humanities .

science – the study of the structure and behaviour of the physical world, divided into subjects such as physics, biology and chemistry

• physics – the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy
• biology – the study of living organisms
• chemistry – the branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed

geography  – the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these

religious studies  – the study of religion and belief systems

history  – the study of past events, particularly in human affairs

information technology  (IT or ICT)  –   the study of the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for the processing and distribution of data

physical education  (PE)  – instruction in physical exercise and games, especially in schools

art  – the study of artistic techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture, etc. or the appreciation of works of art

music  – the study of how to play a musical instrument or sing, how to read music, how to compose music, etc

drama   – the study of acting and theatrical performance

home economics  –   cooking and other aspects of household management, especially as taught at school

Education Vocabulary Set 7: School vocabulary

to play truant – to be absent without permission from parents or teachers

- Helios was always playing truant from school which he regretted when he failed his exams and struggled to find a good job.

to skip classes – to be absent from lessons you are supposed to attend

- I was never brave enough to skip classes as my parents would have been furious if they’d found out.

bookworm – a person who loves reading and/or studying

- My best friend is a real bookworm but is a great person to have on your quiz team because his general knowledge is excellent.

rote learning – a teaching style based on learning by memorisation through repetition

- My parents’ education was based on rote learning but there was more emphasis on learning by investigation by the time I went to school.

literacy – the ability to read and write, sometimes use as a subject title for reading and writing

- Afghanistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world with just 28% of people able to read and write.

literate – to be able to read and write

- In the past 20 years, the proportion of adults in the world who are literate has increased from 75% to 84 % which is a great improvement.

illiterate –  to be unable to read and write

- There are many children in the poorest countries of the world who have little or no access to education and are  illiterate .

remedial – involving pupils who need extra help with a particular area of study or subject

- Pupils who got poor grades use to be put in a remedial class but now they are given extra support from a learning assistant.

additional needs/ special needs  – related to students who need special help due to a learning or physical difficulty

- Shona spend the later part of her teaching career working in a school for students with additional needs .

extra-curricular activities – activities or subjects offered in addition to the normal curriculum usually offered outside normal class hours, such as art, cooking or computer clubs and extra sporting activities

- The most popular extra-curricular activities at Westcroft School were pottery, badminton and computer programming.

school uniform – a particular set of clothes that has to be worn by pupils

- Do Hyan looked so smarting setting off for school on his first day wearing his new school uniform .

discipline – a set of rules governing conduct or behaviour

- Schools where a high level of discipline is maintained, generally have above average exam results

• impose discipline
• maintain discipline
• lack of discipline

timetable – a chart showing times of particular events, such as lesson times in the school day

- Ruby wasn’t very happy with her new timetable as she had double maths followed by double science on a Monday, both subjects she found hard.

Education Vocabulary Set  8:  Facilities

classroom – where lessons take place in a school

- The noisy classroom fell silent when the headteacher walked through the door.

lecture  theatre/ hall  – a room or hall for lectures with seats in tiers

- There was excitement in the lecture theatre as the famous actor stood up to give the drama students a lecture on method acting.

studio – a room where students studying art, photography, media studies, etc. create work

- The studio was set up with recording equipment for the students to practice editing techniques.

library – a building or room containing collections of books, professional journals and other academic literature and material relevant to student's studies

- Sabiha spent all day in the university library doing research for her essay on globalisation.

laboratory – a room or building with scientific equipment for doing scientific tests or for teaching science

- Kate’s favourite part of her degree course in molecular biology was the laboratory work.

campus – the buildings and grounds of a university or college

- It took me a long time to find my way around the campus when I first started at university.

halls of residence – a college or university building where students live

- In his first year at college, Somchai lived in a hall of residence , but in his second year, he rented a house with some other students.

student accommodation – living accommodation for college or university students

- The university offered a range of student accommodation including studio apartments, flats, halls of residence and shared houses.

Education Vocabulary Set 9: Academic work 

assignment – a piece of work given to someone as part of their studies

- I have three more written assignments to complete this term.

coursework – written or practical work done by a student during a course of study, often assessed in order to count towards a final mark or grade

- Helga was really bad at exams so she chose a course where 50 per cent of the overall marks came from assessed coursework .

dissertation – is a long formal piece of writing on a particular subject, especially for a university degree.

- It was hard getting my dissertation finished by the deadline and I handed it in on the very last day.

thesis – a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher degree

- Adao wrote his PhD thesis on the effect of organic fertilizers on soil fertility in tropical climates.

presentation – a speech or talk given in front of an audience

- As part of their end of year assessment, the students had to give a presentation on the theories of learning for children under 3 years of age.

lecture – a formal talk on a subject given to a large group of students who would normally take notes

- She was so pleased that the lecture was cancelled as it gave her time to catch up on some coursework.

tuition – teaching or instruction, especially of individual pupils or small groups

- Dana was unable to get to lectures after breaking her leg but the college provided individual tuition for her until she recovered.

tutorial – a small group study session with a tutor often following a lecture

- He always found tutorials helpful as it was a chance to ask questions about what they’d heard in the lecture.

seminar – a class at university in which a specific topic is discussed by a teacher and a small group of students

- At university, I found seminars far more useful than lectures as I learn best in a small group.

lesson – a period of learning or teaching, usually in a school

- Walter was late for the history lesson and got into trouble with the teacher.

homework – additional coursework work given to pupils to complete in their own time outside school hours

- Most pupils hate homework as they’d rather be out with their friends or playing computer games than studying.

correspondence course – a course of study in which student and tutors communicate by post

- Juan’s local college didn’t offer a course in accountancy but he found a good correspondence course to give him the qualification he needed.

distance learning – a way of studying in which lectures are broadcast or lessons are conducted by post or via the internet without the student needing to attend a school or college or have in-person teacher interaction

- I prefer to study by distance learning as I can work when I want and at the pace I want.

online learning – Similar to distance learning but done 100% via the internet and often involving in-person interaction with a teacher online

- I find online learning ideal for preparing for my IELTS exam and enjoy connecting with my teacher via Skype.

to sit an exam – to take an exam.

- I want to carry on learning for the rest of my life but after I finish my training I hope I never have to sit an exam again.

Education Vocabulary Set 10: The cost of education

tuition fees – the money paid for a course of study, especially at a private school or a college or university

- High tuition fees mean that many young people can’t afford to go to university.

a grant – money given by the government to support a student while studying

- Bernice was successful in her application for a grant which meant that she could attend her local university.

a student loan – money which a student can borrow while they are studying, but which has to be repaid

- Geraint took out student loans of £9000 a year to pay for his tuition of fees and left university heavily in debt.

a scholarship – money given to someone, often by the institution they are studying at, to help pay for their tuition

- He was overjoyed to receive a scholarship to Oxford University as his parents couldn’t afford to pay the fees.

internship – a period of work experience (often unpaid) offered by an employer to give students and graduates experience of working in an industry related to their field of study

- All students on the course were expected to secure an internship during the long vacation between the second and third years of their degree course.

Education Vocabulary  Set 11: Common terms related to college or university

unconditional offer – the offer of a place at an educational institution for which you already meet the entry requirements

- Mustafa was delighted to receive an unconditional offer from his first choice university and accepted immediately.

conditional offer – the offer of a place at an educational institution which requires you to meet certain entry requirements, usually specific exam grades

- She was fairly confident that she would get the exam grades she needed to take up the conditional offer at Bristol University.

to major in – to choose as your main subject

- I want to major in primary education with a specialism in science.

to read (a subject) – to study a specific subject

- Hans read geology at university and is now working for an oil company in the States.

faculty – department in a university that specialises in a specific subject

- It was a proud day for the university when the faculty of science move into the new, state-of-the-art building.

research – a detailed study of a particular subject

- I’m really enjoying this research project on the migratory behaviour of the golden eagle.

• conduct research
• carry out research

Education Vocabulary Set 12:  More common words, phrases & expressions

to work your way through university – to have a paid job while studying to support yourself financially

- With the steep increase in tuition fees, many students are forced to work their way through university .

to keep up with your studies – to not fall behind with your work

- Giang would have to limit his time socializing with his friends if he was going to keep up with his studies .

to fall behind with your studies – to not get your coursework and assignments done in the time allowed

- She was a hard-working student but fell behind with her studies after catching pneumonia and having to spend time in hospital.

to learn something by heart – to memorise it

- By the end of his first week learning English, Elisha had learnt all the days of the weeks and months of the year by heart .

gap year – a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between school and university or college education

- Many students spend their gap year travelling to get more experience of life before they settle down to studying for a degree.

to take a year out – to take a gap year

- Before going to the university, I took a year out to travel and also earn some money.

to enrol – to officially register on a course at a college or university

- She didn’t know an old friend had enrolled on the same course until they met up on the first day.

sign up for – to commit to something for a specific period such as the duration of a course

- Having signed up for the photography course, she now had to ask her brother if she could borrow his camera.

to drop out –  to leave a course before completing it

- Hiran was forced to drop out of university when his father became ill and he had to take over the family business to support his family.

a dropout – a student who fails to complete a course of study and leaves the educational institution with no qualifications

- Many famous and very wealthy entrepreneurs are college dropouts , which proves that you don’t need a degree to succeed in life.

well-educated  – someone who has received a high level or good standard of education

- You could tell that he was  well-educated  by the way he spoke.

to meet a deadline  – to complete a piece of work by the required date

- I didn’t think I’d get my essay written in time but I just  met the deadline .

note-taking  – to take notes in a lesson or lecture when the teacher is talking

- I find  note-taking  in a lecture really difficult as I miss much of what is being said while I’m writing.

to revise  – study or read something again in order to remember it better, often before exams

- No matter how hard I  revise , my mind goes blank as soon as I get into the exam room.

to review  – to read over something again. Similar to revise, but generally done just after a lesson or lecture rather than in preparation for an exam

- Bella found that  reviewing  her notes just before going to sleep helped her to remember the key points.

workload  – the amount of work that has to be done

- The course  workload  felt overwhelming at first but became more manageable once the students had covered the theory and moved on to the more practical part of the course.

to pass with flying colours   –  to pass an exam or test easily and with excellent result

- He was sure he was going to fail his maths exam but  passed with flying colours .

scrape through  – to just pass an exam

- She ran out of time in the exam and left many questions unanswered but just  scraped through  with a pass mark.

to resit/retake an exam   – to take an exam again in order to get a better result

- Madee needed band 7 in her IELTS Speaking test but only got 6.5, so she had to  retake the exam .

Click this link to get a PDF download of this list of education vocabulary.

Other Useful Education Vocabulary

It’s also a good idea to create your own list of education vocabulary related to any courses you are currently taking so that you are ready to talk about them if asked.

Ways to Improve Your Education Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is through reading. Watching topic related YouTube videos and listening to podcasts is also hugely beneficial.

Here are some online resources I recommend.

Education Articles

BBC News – Education

The Independent

New York Times

The Conversation

I love TED Talks. They are short videos with a powerful message and are generally very interesting. They’re ideal for improving your vocabulary and give valuable listening skills practise.

Search  YouTube TED Talks - Education  to help you improve your education vocabulary.

All Topic Vocabulary

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115 Advanced English Words (Advanced Vocabulary List)

Below, you’ll find a list of 115 advanced words in English. I included examples so you can see the words in action.

Learning vocabulary is my hobby. It’s amazing how many meanings the word has, where it comes from, and what it represents in a cultural context . The more words you know, the more things and experiences you can name, which helps a lot if you want to become a writer.

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”― Markus Zusak

115 Advanced Words in English

I suggest you read them out loud and try to create your examples – this will dramatically increase retention and chances that you’ll use the word in conversation.

1. Construe (verb)

a) interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

Example: From her arguments, I construe she wants to turn the world into a place of chaos.

2. Peruse (verb)

a) read (something), typically thoroughly or carefully. b) examine carefully or at length.

Example: He carefully perused the dusty bookshelves of the forgotten library.

3. Condone (verb)

a) accept (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive). b) approve or sanction (something), especially with reluctance.

Example: For the last time, she condoned their egregious mistake.

4. Latent (adjective)

(of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.

Example: There was a latent threat in his words.

5. Acrimonious (adjective)

(typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter.

Example: She rejected his offer with an acrimonious sneer.

6. Indubitable (adjective)

impossible to doubt; unquestionable.

Example: His version of the account was indubitable.

7. Propitious (adjective)

giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable.

Example: He received a propitious message.

8. Tremulous (adjective)

a) shaking or quivering slightly b) timid; nervous.

Example: She was tremulous with fear.

9. Masquerade (noun/verb)

a) noun – a false show or pretense. b) verb – pretend to be someone one is not.

Example: The whole grand reception was a masquerade.

10. Salient (adjective)

most noticeable or important.

Example: The nose was the most salient feature of his face .

11. Embroil (verb)

involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.

Example: She was embroiled in the scheme and there was no way out.

12. Languish (verb)

(of a person, animal, or plant) lose or lack vitality; grow weak.

Example: They just languished there in the sun.

13. Aspersion (noun)

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something.

Example: They hurled aspersions as she came along.

14. Sedulous (adjective)

(of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.

Example: He was the most sedulous worker we ever had.

15. Pertinacious (adjective)

holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action.

Example: This guy is so pertinacious. He’ll never let it go.

16. Encumber (verb)

restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.

Example: The thought of homework encumbered her mind for the rest of the day.

17. Effusion (noun)

a) an instance of giving off something such as a liquid or gas. b) an act of talking or writing in an unrestrained or heartfelt way.

Example: There was an effusion of boisterous laughter as she cracked a joke.

18. Waffle (verb)

speak or write at length vaguely or trivially.

Example: Stop waffling about it or I’ll pull your tongue out!

19. Intrepid (adjective)

fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).

Example: He was the most intrepid warrior in the kingdom.

20. Mores (noun)

the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a society or community.

Example: By not observing the mores, she put herself in trouble.

21. Disheveled (adjective)

untidy, disarranged

Example: The disheveled room had dirty socks and empty beer bottles on the floor.

22. Sumptuous (adjective)

splendid and expensive-looking

Example: They were regaled with sumptuous gifts and splendid food.

23. Reciprocate (verb)

respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one.

Example: The Moroccan trader gave him some tea, so he felt he had to reciprocate by buying something.

24. Infallible (adjective)

incapable of making mistakes or being wrong.

Example: When it comes to matters of money, he’s infallible.

25. Dissident (noun/adjective)

a) a person who opposes the official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state. b) in opposition to official policy.

Example: The government forces clashed with dissidents on Friday.

26. Dispatch (verb/noun)

a) send off to a destination or for a purpose. b) the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose.

Example: Troops were dispatched to quash the riot.

27. Intransigence (noun)

refusal to change one’s views or to agree about something.

Example: Her character was that of endless intransigence and pigheadedness.

28. Pastoral (adjective/noun)

a) (of land) used for the keeping or grazing of sheep or cattle. b) a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life.

Example: The light pastoral depicted children strolling through meadows among the cattle.

29. Concede (verb)

a) admit or agree that something is true after first denying or resisting it. b) surrender or yield (a possession, right, or privilege).

Example: After repeated requests from the bureaucrats, he finally conceded.

30. Manifold (adjective)

many and various

Example: There are manifold forms of life in the universe.

31. Punitive (adjective)

inflicting or intended as punishment.

Example: Punitive actions were taken against the delinquents.

32. Nonplus (noun/verb)

a) surprise and confuse (someone) so much that they are unsure how to react. b) a state of being very surprised and confused.

Example: They were nonplused by the stupidity of his remark.

33. Salacious (adjective)

a) having or conveying an undue or indecent interest in sexual matters.

Example: The salacious dog had to be restrained.

34. Behoove (verb)

a) it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something. b) it is appropriate or suitable; it befits.

Example: It behooves us to act like decent people in this situation.

35. Vulpine (adjective)

a) relating to a fox or foxes. b) crafty; cunning.

Example: Her vulpine ways made him confused and thirsty for answers.

36. Premise (noun)

a) a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.

Example: I will allow selling the property on the premise that you’ll pay the agreed price in cash.

37. Demise (noun)

a) a person’s death.

Example: The sudden fall led to his demise.

38. Megalomania (noun)

a) obsession with the exercise of power. b) delusion about one’s power or importance (typically as a symptom of manic or paranoid disorder).

Example: Megalomania was the worst, among his many negative qualities.

39. Asinine (adjective)

Example: Bringing a knife to a gunfight? You’re asinine.

40. Surfeit (noun/verb)

a) an excessive amount of something. b) cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess.

Example: They were surfeited with the chocolate pancakes.

41. Reputable (adjective)

having a good reputation.

Example: I’ll give you a recommendation for a reputable psychologist.

42. Oblique (adjective)

a) neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting. b) not expressed or done directly.

Example: His oblique explanations didn’t bring any light to the matter.

43. Jeopardize (verb)

put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure.

Example: By divulging secret information, he jeopardized the whole operation.

44. Impudence (noun)

the quality of being impudent; impertinence.

Example: Her impudence was the main reason she wasn’t promoted.

45. Desolate (adjective/verb)

a) (of a place) uninhabited and giving an impression of bleak emptiness. b) make (a place) appear bleakly empty.

Example: Two weary cloaked travelers passed through this gloomy and desolate land.

46. Ballast (noun/verb)

a) heavy material, such as gravel, sand, or iron, placed in the bilge of a ship to ensure its stability. b) give stability to (a ship) by putting a heavy substance in its bilge.

Example: Drop the ballast or we’re going under!

47. Disperse (verb/adjective)

a) distribute or spread over a wide area. b) denoting a phase dispersed in another phase, as in a colloid.

Example: They dispersed the bug-killer over the field.

48. Faze (verb)

disturb or disconcert (someone).

Example: He wasn’t fazed by their threats.

49. Compunction (noun)

a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

Example: She showed no compunction for the grisly crime she committed.

50. Complacency (noun)

a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.

Example: Dwelling in complacency is how you lose the endgame.

51. Caliber (noun)

a) the quality of someone’s character or the level of their ability. b) the internal diameter or bore of a gun barrel.

Example: They needed a person of high caliber to complete this assignment.

52. Entreat (verb)

ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something.

Example: She wouldn’t listen to entreating children surrounding her.

53. Dissection (noun)

a) the action of dissecting a body or plant to study its internal parts. b) a very detailed analysis of a text or idea.

Example: He dissected the paragraph with such precision that even the distinguished professors were amazed.

54. Antiquated (adjective)

old-fashioned or outdated.

Example: Stop using antiquated phrases.

55. Anguish (noun/verb)

a) severe mental or physical pain or suffering. b) be extremely distressed about something.

Example: To his anguish, she said they would never meet again.

56. Effeminate (adjective)

(of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly.

Example: His effeminate nature was unattractive to most women.

57. Enmity (noun)

a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility.

Example: After the unfortunate event, a bitter feeling of enmity emerged between the two camps.

58. Epoch (noun)

a) a particular period in history or a person’s life. b) the beginning of a period in the history of someone or something.

Example: It was in the epoch of Socrates and Plato that ideas of the afterlife first took hold over the European psyche.

59. Intrinsic (adjective)

belonging naturally; essential.

Example: His talent for public speaking was an intrinsic part of his personality.

60. Quotidian (adjective)

of or occurring every day; daily.

Example: After struggling with the quotidian tasks, she was finally able to go to sleep.

61. Hazardous (adjective)

risky; dangerous.

Example: They started on their hazardous mission to Mars.

62. Peregrination (noun)

a journey, especially a long or meandering one.

Example: After many peregrinations, she finally settled in Jordan.

63. Attenuate (verb)

a) reduce the force, effect, or value of. b) reduce in thickness; make thin.

Example: Medical cannabis attenuated the pain of the cancer patient.

64. Unravel (verb)

untangle something.

Example: He was able to unravel the intricacies of the ancient language.

65. Behemoth (noun)

a) a huge or monstrous creature b) something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization.

Example: This tank was a behemoth, crushing everything in its way.

66. Impeccable (adjective)

by the highest standards; faultless.

Example: His reputation was impeccable among his peers.

67. Jaded (adjective)

a) bored or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something. b) physically tired; exhausted.

Example: The privileged kids were jaded with another birthday party.

68. Figurative (adjective)

departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical.

Example: He was a master of pithy, figurative expressions.

69. Relic (noun)

a) an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical interest. b) a part of a deceased holy person’s body or belongings kept as an object of reverence.

Example: Holy Grail is one of the most famous relics of all time.

70. Wreak (verb)

a) cause (a large amount of damage or harm). b) inflict (vengeance).

Example: They wreaked vengeance on those who crossed them.

71. Utopia (noun)

an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

Example: A harmonious republic was a utopia – impossible to conceive in the current political situation.

72. Vegetate (verb)

live or spend a period in a dull, inactive, unchallenging way.

Example: They vegetated in the neighborhood for years before they finally moved out.

73. Infringe (verb)

a) actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.). b) act to limit or undermine (something); encroach on.

Example: He infringed on their agreement by opting out just after twenty days into the contract.

74. Subtlety (noun)

a) the quality or state of being subtle. b) a subtle distinction, feature, or argument.

Example: His paintings contained many subtleties and eclectic elements.

75. Epitaph (noun)

a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone.

Example: “Always in our hearts,” said his tombstone.

76. Grisly (adjective)

causing horror or disgust.

Example: This grisly murder was depicted in graphic detail by the newspaper.

77. Libido (noun)

a) sexual desire. b) the energy of the sexual drive as a component of the life instinct.

Example: Even the sleeping pills were not able to restrain her libido. She was a true nymphomaniac!

78. Epitome (noun)

a) a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. b) a summary of a written work; an abstract

Example: The president was an epitome of imbecility.

79. Topple (verb)

a) overbalance or cause to overbalance and fall. b) remove (a government or person in authority) from power; overthrow.

Example: After drinking ten shots in a row, he tried to dance, but quickly toppled on the dance floor.

80. Morose (adjective)

a) sullen and ill-tempered.

Example: His morose mood was a turn-off for everyone he met.

81. Impalpable (adjective)

a) unable to be felt by touch. b) not easily comprehended.

Example: There was an impalpable sense of dread hanging in the air. Then they heard something behind the wall.

82. Gratuitous (adjective)

a) done without good reason; uncalled for. b) given or done free of charge.

Example: His gratuitous remark met with scorn from his companions.

83. Opaque (adjective)

not able to be seen through; not transparent.

Example: He couldn’t see anything through the opaque glass of the jail cell.

84. Postmortem (noun)

an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.

Example: The postmortem proved the hunch of the inspector to be true: the victim was strangled.

85. Eclectic (adjective/noun)

a) deriving ideas, styles, or tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources. b) a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Example: His eclectic interests made him a peerless raconteur.

86. Delve (verb)

reach inside a receptacle and search for something.

Example: She delved deeply into the details of the business deal.

87. Studious (adjective)

a) spending a lot of time studying or reading. b) done deliberately or with a purpose in mind.

Example: His studious ejaculations obscured their view of reality.

88. Impel (verb)

a) drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something. b) drive forward; propel.

Example: He impelled the soldiers to face the enemy.

89. Mannered (adjective)

a) behaving in a specified way. b) (of behavior, art, or a literary style) marked by idiosyncratic or exaggerated mannerisms; artificial.

Example: She answered in a mannered, slightly cocky way.

90. Peevish (adjective)

having or showing an irritable disposition.

Example: Don’t be so peevish! I just said: “You’re an asshole”.

91. Stickler (noun)

a person who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior

Example: She’s such a stickler for keeping the floor free of dirty socks.

92. Adulterate (verb)

render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance.

Example: The adulterated vodka gave them a huge hangover.

93. Deplete (verb)

a) use up the supply or resources of. b) diminish in number or quantity.

Example: All our resources are being depleted.

94. Nadir (noun)

the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation.

Example: Even the best of us reach a nadir at some point in our lives.

95. Prelude (noun)

a) an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important. b) an introductory piece of music , most commonly an orchestral opening to an act of an opera, the first movement of a suite, or a piece preceding a fugue.

Example: Bathing in coconut milk was just a prelude to a long and complicated cosmetic procedure.

96. Curtail (verb)

reduce in extent or quantity; restrict on.

Example: He curtailed his late trips into the night.

97. Tacit (adjective)

understood or implied without being stated.

Example: Her nod was a sign of a tacit agreement.

98. Abstruse (adjective)

difficult to understand; obscure.

Example: His philosophy was abstruse.

99. Placate (verb)

make (someone) less angry or hostile.

Example: She placated the poor bastard by buying him another drink.

100. Fathomless (adjective)

unable to be measured or understood; extremely deep.

Example: The fathomless expanding cosmos.

101. Iconoclastic (adjective)

criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions.

Example: He said that Mother Theresa was evil. He likes this iconoclastic approach.

102. Antithesis (noun)

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

Example: She’s an antithesis of a good musician.

103. Magniloquent (adjective)

using high-flown or bombastic language.

Example: His magniloquent speech didn’t impress anyone.

104. Deference (noun)

polite submission and respect. Example: He conceded with the request out of deference to the old man.

105. Unwitting (adjective)

a) (of a person) not aware of the full facts. b) not done on purpose; unintentional.

Example: His unwitting involvement in the crime ultimately put him in jail.

106. Mutinous (adjective)

a) (of a soldier or sailor) refusing to obey the orders of a person in authority. b) willful or disobedient.

Example: The mutinous sailors threw the captain over the board.

107. Craven (adjective/noun)

a) contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly. b) a cowardly person.

Example: The craven fool wouldn’t get out of hiding to save his wife.

108. Luminary (noun)

a person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.

Example: The luminaries slowly stepped on stage to converse about celestial bodies.

109. Homage (noun)

special honor or respect that is shown publicly.

Example: She played an exquisite song in homage to her master.

110. Cupidity (noun)

greed for money or possessions. Example: Cupidity left him with a lot of money, but no friends.

111. Syllogism (noun)

an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises)

Example: He amazed the audience and other debaters by employing brilliant syllogisms.

112. Facetious (adjective)

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

Example: Don’t be facetious! It’s a serious matter!

113. Martinet (noun)

a person who demands complete obedience; a strict disciplinarian.

Example: In the army, we soldiered under a hell of a martinet.

114. Irksome (adjective)

irritating; annoying. Example: His continuous questions were irksome.

115. Defalcate (verb)

embezzle (funds with which one has been entrusted).

Example: The embezzled the Jones family for one million dollars.

This is a part of the language and vocabulary series, which includes:

• 12 Ways to Expand Your Vocabulary
• 40 Best Essays of All Time (With Links)
• 50 Sophisticated Words in English (With Examples From Movies)
• 80 Most Beautiful Words in The World (Defined)
• 100 English Words With Deep Meanings

Parting words

In wrapping up, diving into the depths of the English language reveals a treasure trove of advanced words, each a testament to its rich tapestry and evolution. Embracing these linguistic gems not only elevates our expression but also deepens our appreciation for the language’s intricate beauty. Expand your vocabulary , and you unlock new realms of communication and understanding.

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Education: Advanced IELTS Language

The following vocabulary is from my IELTS ebook for part two of the writing test.

Rephrasing of some common topic words: children = juveniles, youngsters education= learning, instruction, acquiring knowledge students = pupils parents = caregivers, guardians, mothers and fathers schools = educational institutions society  = community, citizens teachers = educators Some useful Nouns

  Some useful verbs

Some useful Adjectives

2 thoughts on “Education: Advanced IELTS Language”

Very helpful. Interesting vocabulary. Thanks

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About Mike I’m Mike Wattie from Australia. I have been teaching IELTS for over 20 years in Asia and Australia.

I have written IELTS books and this enables me to be an effective tutor. This is because I understand the main problems that students have taking the test and also the ways to overcome them.

Maybe you would like me to teach you the necessary skills and strategies to pass your test.

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia and they jointly manage the IELTS test. This website is for test preparation only and has nothing to do with the administration of IELTS tests This website is not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

IELTS Speaking

Face the IELTS Speaking exam with confidence!

IELTS Education Vocabulary

March 15, 2013 By PeterT

Topic Vocabulary >> Lesson 6: Education

You’re likely to be asked questions about your studies during Part 1, you might have to talk about a class, a teacher or a school memory in Part 2 or give your opinions on education in Part 3. Therefore, being able to call on a wide range of vocabulary to talk about education is very important.

Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold . Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.

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 …

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

Test yourself on topic vocabulary to talk about education. Sign up to IELTS Speaking: Advanced for vocabulary tests and whole lot more!

June 9, 2016 at 3:48 am

these are very usefull for me who learn english and to take my goal ielts

thanks so much i do hope i will get more and more for learing English

March 22, 2016 at 9:56 am

Very useful, particularly the language points about fitting answers into the specific IELTS questions and the definitions.

March 18, 2016 at 8:24 am

it was really unuseful pizdec

October 3, 2015 at 3:40 pm

plz help me for my exam .

Decribe an education course you are doing. you should say: what kind of course it was. where you do it. why you do it. and explain what like and dislike about the course.

September 2, 2015 at 3:01 pm

I really like the way you present expressions, they are easy to understand into the context and apply them when talking, congrats for doing a great job and helping us to speak a foreign language. Good job!!

June 14, 2015 at 4:16 am

Thank you so much for help. I think I will be better to get good grades for the exam.

March 7, 2015 at 2:20 am

Hi. Thanks for your wealth of information. I’ve taken common IELTS vocabulary and visually represented it. It includes synonyms, antonyms, collocations and meanings. I hope you like the idea.

http://ieltsadvantage.com/category/vocabulary/

August 26, 2014 at 11:23 am

Hi Really useful 😉 Now, I can differ from various kind of school in the educational system

Thanks for helping 🙂 🙂

April 18, 2014 at 7:46 am

OVER TO YOU

Are you studying English at a school? Would you say you are a good student? What qualities do you think a good teacher has?

Use some of the vocabulary above to answer these or any of the other questions on this page.

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Vocabulary related to education

Home  »  IELTS vocabulary  » IELTS Education vocabulary

IELTS topic vocabulary: education

All components of the  IELTS exam  are heavily focused on vocabulary. To help you improve your education vocabulary for the IELTS speaking test, we have compiled a list of terms.

Remember that IELTS vocabulary should be quite formal, and you will get a higher score for using less common collocations and phrases. Education vocabulary will be useful in many different questions because a lot of questions can be answered by talking about school, college and lifelong learning.

Education vocabulary terms and definitions

qualification - official record showing that you have completed a formal course

literacy - the ability to read and write

Gap year - Taking a year out between high school and university

kindergarten - pre-school education

Post-graduate school - university for students continuing their studies and completing an advanced degree after obtaining their bachelor's degree

assignment - work given to a student as part of their studies

college - higher education institute which students attend after secondary school or high school

principal - a person in charge of a school

lecture - a formal talk on a subject

Student loan - amount of money loaned to a student to pay their tuition.

Doctorate (PhD) - the highest degree from a university, obtained after completing a research fellowship

thesis - research compiled on a particular subject

Intensive course - A short course that contains a lot of information and training

curriculum - the school program that schools aim to teach students

Vocational course - a course which teaches you the skills required for a specific job

graduate - a person who completed their first university degree course successfully, received a bachelor's degree and attended a graduation ceremony

professor - a teacher of high rank in a university

pedagogy - the way of teaching including the instructional method that is used

tuition - the fees required to be able to study a course

distance learning course - studying a course remotely/online

IELTS sample essay - education

Task 2 sample essay about education: Claiming that traditional schooling is out of date, boring and stifles a child's natural talents, various professionals have pushed for an education revolution. Are there alternatives in the education system? Is traditional education doing more harm than good?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

How would you answer this question? Try to use as much of the education vocabulary from the list above as possible.

Remember that you are not required to agree or disagree with the first statement. Your job is to tackle the two-part question following it.

One possible way to plan your essay for the IELTS test could be:

Introduction. Rephrase the question, state a position (there are several alternatives, which you will discuss later, and in your opinion, traditional education IS - or isn't- quite harmful to some students).

Paragraph 2 - Discuss an alternative - for example, homeschooling. It is much more flexible, allowing the student to focus on the school subjects that interest them the most, while also having a lot of online support and resources. Whether the student most enjoys media studies or wants to study history, they will have this opportunity in addition to completing work on the core subjects. This approach is similar to distance learning for adults who can study online with organisations like the British Council. Homeschooling, as an alternative to formal education, is becoming more mainstream and makes more time for family life.

Paragraph 3 - Yes, traditional education can do a lot of harm. Parents assume their children will have so many friends at school Many students are bullied at secondary school or struggle to keep up. There is not enough 1-1 support and shyer students especially female students in mixed schools do not ask for help as needed. A single-sex school may feel more competitive. More gifted students can become bored and misbehave. A good student may play truant for a lot of reasons. Homeschooling or flexible schooling would be a good alternative.

Conclusion - The pandemic has shown us that everything changes; children ages 3-18 all over the world have done some distance learning online, even in the poorest countries. Switching to homeschooling, or flexible schooling can address issues such as bullying for individual secondary school students and help them become more engaged in their learning.

Task 2 sample essay about education: A university education is becoming more expensive every year and the money paid for a degree can keep university graduates in debt for years. Therefore, tuition fees should be abolished and governments should pay for university education.

To what extent do you agree with this viewpoint?

This is a great question! In the IELTS exam, you could talk about how a local university should not cost the same as an internationally known one, how a mature student might be better able to pay tuition fees, how a person studying engineering or medicine could expect to get a well-paid job so the fees are worth it... you would have a lot of options. Just remember to use as much IELTS education vocabulary as you can.

Other resources to improve your education vocabulary:

Apart from practising planning and writing essays that use phrases from these word lists, it's a great idea to look for new words and new vocabulary by googling the topic and watching Youtube videos. There are a lot of great videos on education topics such as the advantages of co-educational schools rather than single-sex schools, what makes a good teacher, education in developing countries, exam room strategies, English for non-native speakers and physical education for homeschooled students. One of the most helpful resources with appropriate vocabulary for IELTS are the Ted Talks on Youtube. Make sure you watch twice, first with subtitles to get new topic vocabulary ideas for your vocabulary notebook.

In this Ted Talk video, Sir Ken Robinson discusses changing the current system for formal education. He makes a case for creating a new way to teach that encourages creativity, curiosity, innovation, and energy. He's funny, interesting and uses some great vocabulary. Watch the video and try to find the following IELTS vocabulary terms that you could easily use in the IELTS speaking test!

PRIMARY EDUCATION

INTELLIGENCE

Collocations:  human creativity, academic ability, public education, academic inflation, human ecology .

Remember that school and education are among the most popular topics in the IELTS speaking test as well as the IELTS writing test. You could also prepare answers to IELTS style questions about your favourite English teacher, your favourite subjects, using English on your Facebook account, your experience or plans for higher education, how a certain degree will help you get a well-paid job, your memories of your graduation ceremony, being in a single-sex school or studying in a co-educational school. Education vocabulary for the IELTS test is very flexible and you can use some of the same IELTS education vocabulary phrases to talk about primary education, a mixed school, getting a good job, making so many friends studying at the British Council, with Cambridge ESOL or IDP Education Australia. Even talk about IELTS preparation ! Just take your time, keep learning IELTS vocabulary and practice as much as you can.

For more info on IELTS vocabulary for your IELTS test,  click here .

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IELTS Vocabulary – Education

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• IELTS Vocab

Education and schools is a common topic of discussion both in general life and in the IELTS test. This article provides you with the required vocabulary for the IELTS exam. This section is focused on the words related to education, schools, and studying. The IELTS vocabulary is divided into different sections and there are exercises for you to practice what you have learnt.

1. School Subjects

The vocabulary given below is applicable in both writing and speaking sections.

You may be asked speaking cue-card, such as what was your favorite subject at school?

Similarly, the essay topic could be – Some people believe schools should teach science and mathematics only. Do you agree or disagree?

• mathematics / math’s (UK) / math (USA)
• physical education (PE)
• IT ( Information technology)

** School subjects are not capitalised unless they are proper nouns such as languages. However, if you are mentioning a specific class or course title then you should use a capital letter. For example, Calculous 3 or The Ancient History of Peru would both require capital letters.

2. Educational Establishments

• Kindergarten / Pre-school / Nursery (UK) – Below 5 years
• Primary school (UK) / Elementary school (USA) – 5-11 years
• Secondary school (UK) / High school (USA) – 11 – 16
• College – In the UK a college can be attended from 16 years upwards and offers further education courses that are not usually of degree level. In the US a college offers degrees and would be known as a university in UK English.
• University – 18 years and upwards

3. Higher Education Vocabulary

Below are some key nouns and verbs related to university and higher education.

• Apply for Harvard – To submit an application to study Harvard
• BA – Bachelor of Arts
• BSc – Bachelor of Sciences
• Campus – The location and grounds of a university.
• Career prospects – The job opportunities a university course can provide upon graduation.
• Degree – A 3- or 4-year university course
• Dissertation/Thesis – A long essay or research project written in the final year of university.
• Distance learning – Taking part or all the course via the internet from a different location to where the school is based.
• Enroll in – To register for a course at university.
• Faculty – A university department or the members of teaching staff. The students can also be part of the faculty and are often known as ‘faculty members’.
• Give a presentation – To speak on a particular topic in front of the class and lecturers.
• Graduate – (verb) To finish university / (noun) A person who has finished university.
• Lecture / Lecturer – A class at university / The ‘teacher’ at university.
• MA / MSc – Master of Arts / Master of Sciences
• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
• Scholarship – A payment or discount to support a student’s education, usually because the student is talented or has shown academic promise or excellence.
• Seminars – Small group classes where students and the teacher discuss topic.
• Semester – The period when university is open and giving classes
• Student loan – The financial assistance provided to university students.
• To drop out – To leave or quit university.
• To lecture in English / To give a lecture of English – To teach English / To teach an English class
• To read French – To study French at university.
• Tutorials – Small group classes or one on one classes. Often used to assist struggling students with a particular topic.
• Undergraduates – People currently studying at university.

4. Higher education vocabulary exercise – Use no more than two words from the vocabulary above to complete the sentences. You may need to change the tense of the words.

• Giving presentations
• Student loan
• Scholarship
• Dropped out
• Enrolling in
• Career prospects
• Dissertation / Thesis

5. Phrasal Verbs related to education 

There are many phrasal verbs related to education’ below are some of the commonly found ones in the IELTS exam.

Be into – To be interested in a topic Fall behind – To miss deadlines or not complete work on time Hand in – To submit a piece of work Hand out – To distribute Put off – To delay something Read over – Read something from beginning to end, often to check for errors. Take in – To understand something Take up – To start learning something or engaging in an activity Type up – Transfer written notes to digital form on a computer

For more practice, visit IELTS vocabulary for communication .

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Education Vocabulary for IELTS

 This is a list of useful Education vocabulary for IELTS.

Education is common topic in IELTS. This vocabulary will help you with all parts of the test if the topic arises.

As with the other vocabulary on these pages, although common word forms are given, not all word forms are here, so remember that once you understand the word you should study it further to make sure you understand exactly how it is used in different contexts.

You will see here:

• The word/phrase

At the bottom of the page you will find links to essays connected to education topics. 

List of IELTS Education Vocabulary

The action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place or event.

• Attendance is mandatory for all students during the school term.
• Regular attendance is important for academic success.

To behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want.

• He did really well in his exams but he cheated. He copied from a friend.
• Cheating on exams is not recommended.

Co-educational

When male and female students are taught together in the same school or college rather than separately

• I believe that co-educational schools prepare students for their future better than single-sex schools.
• Co-educational schools provide an inclusive environment where boys and girls learn together, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

Concentrate

To direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem.

• It is difficult to concentrate on my college work if there is a lot of noise.
• I keep losing concentration due to the noise.

Regular work done by students as part of a course, but assessed independently of formal exams.

• The coursework on my degree was really difficult.
• The coursework for my biology class includes conducting experiments, writing lab reports, and completing research assignments.

The group of subjects studied in a school, college, etc.

• Schools must ensure they have an excellent curriculum.
• The school's curriculum includes a diverse range of subjects such as mathematics, science, literature, and physical education to provide students with a well-rounded education.

Distance Learning

Education that takes place remotely, often utilizing online resources and communication technologies.

• Many universities offer distance learning programs for students who are unable to attend classes on campus.
• The pandemic led to a surge in popularity for distance learning platforms.

Extracurricular

Activities pursued by students outside the regular curriculum.

• I participate in several extracurricular activities like debate club and chess team.
• Extracurricular activities help students develop a well-rounded skill set.

To complete a first university degree successfully.

• I graduated from the University of Salford in 2009.
• My graduation ceremony was in 2009.

Higher (tertiary) Education

Non-compulsory education after finishing school, such as university, as well as vocational education and training at colleges.

• 60% of children now go into higher education after they finish school.
• After completing secondary school, many students choose to pursue tertiary education at universities or colleges to further their academic and career goals.

Tasks assigned by teachers to be completed outside of class.

• I have a lot of homework to do tonight, including a math worksheet and a history essay.
• Homework reinforces what we learn in class.

Unable to read and write.

• Many children in the poorest countries are illiterate.
• Due to the lack of access to education, many adults in the rural village remained illiterate, unable to read or write even basic texts.

The ability to read and write.

• Literacy rates have declined considerably in Western countries over the last decade.
• However, most children are literate.

The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

• Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic settings and can result in disciplinary action.
• The student was expelled for plagiarizing an entire research paper.

Primary Education/School (Elementary School)

First years of formal education from around age 5 to 11.

• A good primary education is crucial for a child's development.
• Elementary school teachers focus on building foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics to prepare young students for future academic success.

Qualification

An official record showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc.

• Good qualifications are really important if you want to get a well-paid job.
• I am qualified to teach English.

Secondary Education/School (High School: USA)

Education during the time as a teenager.

• I loved it at my secondary school as I had so many friends.
• In secondary school, students typically study a broader range of subjects in preparation for higher education or vocational training.

A division of the academic year, typically lasting several months, during which classes are held.

• We have finals at the end of each semester.
• The fall semester begins in September and ends in December.

A sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.

• The university increased tuition fees by 10% this year.
• Many students rely on scholarships to help cover their tuition costs.

Undergraduate

A student at a college or university who has not yet earned a bachelor's degree.

• I'm an undergraduate majoring in biology.
• Undergraduate students often take a variety of general education courses.

Virtual Classroom

An online learning environment where students and teachers interact in real-time.

• Due to the pandemic, we shifted to a virtual classroom for the remainder of the semester.
• The virtual classroom allows students to participate in discussions from anywhere with an internet connection.

A seminar or series of meetings for intensive study or training in a particular subject.

• I attended a writing workshop to improve my essay skills.
• The workshop on time management was very informative.

View model essays that include IELTS education vocabulary:

University Education Essay

Free University Education Essay

Paying Attention in Class Essay

Examinations or Formal Assessment Essay

More Topic Related Vocabulary:

Work Vocabulary for IELTS

Work vocabulary to improve your IELTS score. The words are related to the topics of jobs, careers and occupations.

Crime Vocabulary for IELTS

Crime vocabulary to help you with IELTS essays and speaking. Common Crime Words.

Environment Vocabulary for IELTS

Environment vocabulary words and definitions that you can learn in order to increase your score for the IELTS test.

The Arts Vocabulary

Learn about the Arts vocabulary to help you in the IELTS test for speaking, writing, reading and listening.

Science Vocabulary for IELTS

Science vocabulary to improve your score for the IELTS test. Learn words that can be used in the test, with examples and definitions.

Health Vocabulary

This health vocabulary includes useful words to talk and write about health, ftiness and food

Children and the Family Vocabulary

Children and the Family Vocabulary for IELTS - essential vocabulary to help to improve your score for IELTS

Information Technology Vocabulary for IELTS

Learn information technology vocabulary, which provides you with a new word, a definition, and then the word in context.

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60 Advanced English Vocabulary Words To Communicate With Impact

“Without grammar, very little can be conveyed but without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed”. 

Have you ever heard of this? 

It was said in 1972 by a famous British linguist named David Wilkins. And it basically means that we need both grammar and vocabulary to communicate.

But words carry more meaning than grammar. So having a wide vocabulary is really what will allow you to express yourself more effectively.

You may already know that some words are simple (e.g. animals, sad, food) while others are more advanced (fauna, heartbroken, sustenance).

In the next 5 minutes, you’ll not only find out why it’s important to learn more sophisticated words, but you’ll also discover 60 advanced English vocabulary words with examples.

Let’s begin.

Why Is It Helpful To Learn Advanced English Vocabulary?

Imagine you received some great news and you tell one of your friends about it. You might say, “I was so happy to hear the news!” 

Your friend would have no problems understanding what you mean.

But if you’d like to express the idea of “great happiness” with more impact, you could say, “I was elated to hear the news!”

The adjective “elated” can communicate the idea of being very happy more colourfully so you can get your message across with more impact. 

This is just one of the reasons why knowing advanced words can be helpful. 

Here are a few more:

• If you’re able to use advanced English vocabulary, you can get a boost in confidence and self-esteem because you feel more capable of expressing complex thoughts and ideas.
• You can better understand tricky texts and ideas, so you can dive into a wider range of material (magazines, movies, books, etc.)
• You can write with more detail and depth.

Last but not least, if you’re planning to take an English exam such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, you might get a higher score if you’re able to use advanced vocabulary well.

So let’s have a look at 60 advanced English vocabulary words that can help you become a more impactful communicator. 

Advanced English Vocabulary Words To Do With Communication

1. To Snap 

Definition: to suddenly become unable to control a strong feeling, especially anger

• When she asked me to cancel my trip, I just snapped (= got angry).

2. To Articulate

Definition: to express thoughts, feelings, or ideas clearly and effectively

• She cannot articulate her feelings very well.

3. To Summarise

Definition: to express the most important facts or ideas about something or someone in a short and clear form

• I'll just summarise the main points of the argument in a few words.

4. To Exclaim

Definition: to say something suddenly and loudly, especially because of strong emotion or pain

• “It is not fair!”, he exclaimed angrily.

5. To Instruct

Definition: to order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

• He instructed me to leave the meeting.

Definition: words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group of people, and are difficult for others to understand

• He always speaks in legal jargon.

7. To Plead

Definition: to ask for something in a strong and emotional way

• He was on his knees, pleading for forgiveness.

8. To Condemn

Definition: to say very strongly that you think something is bad, usually for moral reasons

• She publicly condemned the deal.

9. An Inquiry

Definition: an official process to discover the facts about something bad that has happened

• The police are conducting a murder inquiry.

Advanced English Vocabulary Words To Do With Relationships

10. A Broken Home

Definition: a family in which the parents do not now live together

• After years of living in a broken home filled with conflict and emotional turmoil, she finally decided to leave and start a new life.

11. To Click

Definition: to like and understand someone, especially the first time you meet

• I didn't really click with my new boss.

Definition: difficult and not certain to continue or to be successful

• Their marriage was starting to get a bit rocky.

13. To Part

Definition: If two people part, or if one person parts from another, they leave each other.

• He has recently parted from his wife.

14. To Cut Ties With Someone

Definition: to abruptly and permanently end a relationship with someone

• He has cut ties with most of his friends.

15. A Spouse

Definition: A formal way to refer to a husband or wife

• A widow is a woman whose spouse has died.

16. To Bond

Definition: to develop a strong relationship with someone

• They failed to bond with their neighbours.

17. Sibling

Definition: a brother or sister

• I have three siblings: one brother and two sisters.

18. Unmarried

Definition: not married

• My daughter remained unmarried.

19. To Be On Good/Bad Terms With Someone

Definition: to have a good/bad relationship with someone

• They’re not on good terms with their family members.

20. Hospitality

Definition: when people are friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors

• The local people showed great hospitality.

Advanced English Vocabulary For Homes And Buildings

21. Infrastructure

Definition: the basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a country or organisation uses in order to work effectively

• The war has badly damaged the country's infrastructure.

22. A Mansion

Definition: a very large expensive house

• The street is lined with enormous mansions where the rich and famous live.

23. A Semi-Detached House

Definition: A house that has one wall that is joined to another house.

• We live in a semi-detached house.

24. Warehouse

Definition: a large building for storing goods that are going to be sold

• We have several thousand of the books in our warehouse.

25. A Staircase

Definition: a set of stairs and the structure around them

• I have a spiral staircase in my house.

26. A Landmark

Definition: a building that you can easily recognise, especially one that helps you to know where you are

• The Colosseum is a historic landmark.

27. A Complex

Definition: a group of buildings or rooms that are used for a particular purpose

• A complex of buildings collapsed during the earthquake.

Definition: the space under the roof of a house or other building

• Our loft is full of stuff.

29. Reconstruction

Definition: when you build something again after it has been damaged or destroyed

• The classrooms are in need of immediate reconstruction.

30. Premises

Definition: the land and buildings owned by someone, especially by a company or organisation

• The company is moving to new premises.

Advanced English Vocabulary For Personality

31. eccentric.

Definition: behaving in a strange and unusual way

• He's an eccentric professor.

32. Resourceful

Definition: Good at finding ways to solve problems

• When we didn't have much money, we had to be more resourceful.

33. Anti-Social

Definition: An anti-social person does not like being with other people

• I hope they won't think I'm anti-social if I don't go to the party.

34. Cynical

Definition: believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere

• Many people have become cynical about politicians.

35. Trustworthy

Definition: Someone who is trustworthy can be trusted

• He assured me she was completely trustworthy.

Definition: extremely happy and excited

• We were elated at the news.

37. Versatile

Definition: having many different skills

• She's a versatile player.

38. To Irritate

Definition: to annoy someone

• His comments really irritated me.

39. Ruthless

Definition: not caring if you hurt or upset other people when you try to get what you want

• Hitler was a ruthless dictator.

Definition: liking to talk

• I have very chatty friends.

Advanced English Vocabulary For Describing Things

Definition: looking untidy and in bad condition

• They lived in a shabby apartment.

42. Luxurious

Definition: very comfortable and expensive

• They stayed in a luxurious hotel.

43. Defective

Definition: not in good condition or not working correctly

• If the goods are defective you should get a full refund.

44. Monotonous

Definition: If something is monotonous, it is boring because it stays the same.

• He has a monotonous voice.

Definition: If food is bland, it does not have much taste.

• The meal was a bit bland.

46. Noticeable

Definition: Easy to see or be aware of

• There was a noticeable difference in his behaviour after the injury.

47. Staggering

Definition: Very shocking and surprising.

• He earns a staggering amount of money.

48. Fragrant

Definition: With a pleasant smell

• A garden full of wonderfully fragrant flowers.

Definition: rare or not available in large amounts

• Food was becoming scarce.

50. Sensational

Definition: Very exciting or extremely good.

• The movie was sensational.

Advanced English Vocabulary To Do With Actions

51. to stamp.

Definition: to put your foot down on the ground hard and quickly, often to show anger

• “No!” she shouted, stamping her foot.

52. To Sprinkle

Definition: to gently drop small pieces of something over a surface

• Sprinkle the cake with sugar before serving.

Definition: a search for something or someone

• After a long hunt we finally found a house we liked.

54. To Giggle

Definition: to laugh in a nervous or silly way

• She started giggling and couldn't stop.

55. A Glare

Definition: A long, angry look

• She gave me an angry glare.

56. To Wreck

Definition: to destroy or badly damage something

• The explosion wrecked several cars and damaged nearby buildings.

57. To Grin

Definition: to smile a big smile

• He grinned at me from the entrance.

Definition: a long look at someone or something

• He turned his gaze on me.

59. To Grasp

Definition: to take hold of something or someone firmly

• He grasped my hand enthusiastically.

60. An Escape

Definition: when someone succeeds in getting out of a place or a dangerous or bad situation

• He made his escape on the back of a motorbike.

How To Learn Advanced English Vocabulary

So, did you learn any new advanced English vocabulary words from this list?

While studying a list like this might be a great way to start learning advanced English vocabulary, if you really want to expand your vocab you need to learn words in context.

To do that, you can apply the rules of the StoryLearning method and read books in English. This will help you expose yourself to a great number of advanced English words, as well as phrasal verbs in English , English idioms and common English phrases.

Not only that, when reading short stories in English , you’ll see the same words again and again, which will help you memorise and remember them.

And, of course, you’ll have much more fun than studying a list because you’re reading an enjoyable story!

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Education Vocabulary for English Learners

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Learn English vocabulary related to education to use when discussing various subjects at university. Words are categorized into different sections. You'll find example sentences for each word to help provide context for learning. 

Archaeology - Archaeology explores humanities past civilizations. Art - Art can refer to painting or to to arts in general such as music, dancing, etc. Business studies - Many students choose business studies in these times of globalization. Dance - Dance is an elegant art form which uses the body as a brush. Drama - Good drama can move you to tears, as well as hold you in suspense. Economics - The study of economics might be useful for a business degree. Geography - If you study geography, you'll know which country is located on any continent. Geology - I'd love to know more about geology. I've always wondered about rocks. history - Some believe that history is much older than we are led to believe. home economics - Home economics will teach you how to run an efficient home on a budget. Foreign (modern) languages - It's important to learn at least one foreign language in your life. Math - I've always found simple math easy. Mathematics - The study of higher mathematics is required for a computer programming degree. Music - Understanding the biography of great composers is an important part of studying music. Physical education - Children up to the age 16 should be encouraged to participate in physical education classes. Psychology - The study of psychology will help you understand how the mind words. Religious education - Religious education will teach you about the wide variety of religious experiences. Science - Science is an important part of a well-rounded education. Biology - Biology will help you learn how human beings are put together. Chemistry - Chemistry will help you understand how earth's elements affect each other. Botany - The study of botany leads to an understanding of different types of plants. Physics - Physics explains how the "real world" functions. Sociology - If you are interested in understanding different cultures, take a sociology class. Technology - Technology is found in almost every classroom of a typical school.

Cheat- Don't ever cheat on a test. It's not worth it! Examine - It's important to examine all the evidence when drawing a conclusion. Examiner - The examiner makes sure nobody at the test cheats. Examination - The examination should last three hours. Fail - I'm afraid I might fail the test! Get through - Peter got through to the fourth grade. Pass - Don't worry. I'm sure you'll pass the test . Take / sit an exam - I had to sit a long exam last week. Retake - Some professors allow students to retake tests if they've done poorly. Revise for - It's a good idea to revise for any test you take by reviewing your notes. Study for - I need to study for a quiz tomorrow morning. Test - What time is your mathematics test today?

Qualifications

Certificate - He earned a certificate in computer maintenance. Degree - I have a degree from the Eastman School of Music. BA - (Bachelor of Arts) She earned her BA from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. MA - (Master of Arts) Peter wants to take an MA in business . B.Sc. - (Bachelor of Science) Jennifer is working on a B.Sc. with a major in biology. M.Sc. - (Bachelor of Science) If you earn a M.Sc. from Stanford, you won't need to worry about getting a job. Ph.D. - (Doctorate Degree) Some people take years to finish a Ph.D. Diploma - You can earn a diploma to add to your qualifications. 

Dean - Alan is the dean of faculty at that school. Graduate - He's a graduate of the local university. Head-teacher - You should speak to the head teacher. Infant - Some parents put their infants in day-care. Lecturer - The lecturer in law was very boring today. Pupil - Good pupils don't cheat on tests. Student - A good student takes notes during a lecture. Teacher - The teacher will answer any questions you have. Instructor - He's an instructor of computer science at the high school. Undergraduate - The undergraduate had a great time at college. 

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Here are some English terms related to education.

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Vocabulary Advanced | Education Debates and Issues

by Danny Ballan | Feb 12, 2021 | Vocabulary Building

What is this episode about?

Learn new words and expressions you can use when you want to talk about education debates and issues in this new Vocabulary Advanced Series episode from English Plus Podcast.

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Practice worksheet.

Episode 242 Vocabulary Education Debates and Issues

Vocabulary Education Debate... by English Plus Podcast

I am using an automatic transcript service as it is not possible for me to do it on my own and I cannot afford human transcription at the moment. The service claims to have about 95% accuracy, which means there will still be some mistakes, so my apologies for having a less than perfect transcript, but I hope I can afford human transcription soon and I will solve this problem. However, the service is pretty good, and the transcript is almost perfect.

Welcome to a new episode from English plus podcast. Today’s episode is vocabulary and it is vocabulary advanced. So some of the things here might sound a little bit difficult, but don’t worry. We have vocabulary intermediate. We have a lot of other series that might be a little bit less difficult than this one, but I promise you even, this is vocabulary advanced.

[00:00:25] Most of you. If your English is intermediate, you will understand everything I’m saying here. I’ll try to explain these concepts as clearly as I can. And today’s episode is going to be about education. We will talk about some debates and issues in education in the world of education. And of course we will learn.

[00:00:43] A couple of words, a couple of expressions that are very useful, very important and common that’s, you know, just like the, the Holy Trinity for us, that should be useful. Interesting and common. They have to be common. We’re not teaching you things. You’re not going to use in your everyday language. Now, before I start, of course, let me remind you that you can find the transcript of this episode, but it’s not only the transcript.

[00:01:07] You will find a link that will take you to our website and on our website, you will find everything you need to practice. What you’re learning here in English plus podcasts, you will find a PDF practice worksheet that you can take and practice. And then you can check if your answers are correct or not in the answer, key, everything is available in this custom post that you will find made specifically for this episode on our website, you will find a link to that in the description.

[00:01:33] Also, you will find in the description, two more links. One is going to take you to Patreon. Patreon is a platform where you can decide to support your favorite creators. If English plus podcast is one of your favorite creators. If you like the content we’re creating, please go there and decide to become our patrons by doing that, you will support us and you will help us create more content in the future.

[00:01:56] And there’s also a link that will take you to our mailing list. By subscribing to our mailing list, you will get special offers and discounts from time to time, but you will definitely get an updated schedule every two weeks. Whenever we release a new chapter in English plus podcast. And for those who are not that familiar with the concept of chapter here in English plus podcast, we have chapters every two weeks and every chapter has all the new episodes of all of our series.

[00:02:24] Now this moment, we have more than 24 series from grammar to vocabulary, idioms colocations writing and whatnot. Of course, you can check all that out on our website, or you can just check our previous episodes and see what kind of episodes we release. We have two new episodes every day, but of course, if you want to stay up to date, you can subscribe to our mailing list and you will get updates every two weeks.

[00:02:46] Oh, without further ado, let’s start with our episode today. It is going to be about education. As I told you, we’re going to talk about debates and issues in education, and we will focus on keywords and phrases or expressions that are very important and useful. Things that you can use to talk about education.

[00:03:05] Now I will start by reading a text and after I read this text, I will stop and focus on certain words and expressions and explain them to you. Now, this text is about education systems and how they are different and some of their problems, as I told you, the topic of our episode today is actually debates and issues.

[00:03:24] So all education systems may ultimately be judged in terms of equality of opportunity. This is often referred to in the debates over selective versus comprehensive schooling. The main issue is whether everyone has the same opportunities for educational achievement or whether elite is of one sort or another is inherent in the system.

[00:03:48] Leak tables for schools and colleges may actually help unintentionally to perpetuate inequalities. While claiming to promote the raising of standards, inevitably leak tables, divide educational institutions into good and bad success and failure resulting in a two tier system. Or at least that is how the public perceives it.

[00:04:12] The ability of better off parents and well endowed schools to push children towards the institutions at the top of the league may in the long-term have the effect of depressing opportunity for the less well off or for children from home environment that do not provide the push and motivation to Excel.

[00:04:33] Financial support of different kinds can help to make educational opportunity more equal. There are, for example, scholarships or bursaries that make it possible for less privileged youngsters to afford tertiary education, student loans allow undergraduates to pay for their tuition fees and living expenses while they are studying.

[00:04:56] But few would claim that real equality of opportunity has been achieved. This is mainly about opportunity and equality and education. And that is why it is a debate because we can never agree. Or at least we can never all agree on one thing. Some people are with this system. Some people are against the system and it’s going to be like that all the time, because so far we’ve never seen this system of education that is really equal.

[00:05:24] And that really believes in the equality of opportunity. Of course, they try, some systems are better than others. But they’re not perfect. And that’s why it is sometimes important to debate and to talk about those issues. And that’s what we’re trying to do here. We’re going to learn some words and phrases that can make this task easier.

[00:05:42] So let me start first by the very first expression I would like to talk about, and that is equality of opportunity. Now, when we say equality of opportunity. Now in the text, we said here, all education systems may ultimately be judged in terms of equality of opportunity. What do we mean by equality of opportunity?

[00:06:01] Well, equality of opportunity that happens when everyone has the same chances. That is equality of opportunity. That is a term we use, not only for education, by the way, we can use it for other things as well. But here, since we’re talking about education, That means everyone has the same chance to get the education they want.

[00:06:21] So that was our first term equality of opportunity. Then we continued on and said, this is often referred to in the debates over selective versus comprehensive schooling. So what is selective schooling and what is comprehensive schooling? Let’s start with selective. When we say selective schooling, that means students are chosen for entry.

[00:06:40] Usually for Academy reasons. Though in the case of some private schools, parents ability to pay school fees may be a factor in selection, maybe a big factor, to be honest. So that means it is not fair. There is no equality of opportunity in this case, or there might not be. And that is one thing we said, selective versus comprehensive schooling.

[00:07:03] So if selective is like that, what is comprehensive then? Well, comprehensive schooling is just the opposite or the other type. If we don’t want, just to. Posed them against each other as opposites. Comprehensive schooling is when everyone enters without exams and education is free paid for by the government.

[00:07:20] Well, these are the two ends of a spectrum and usually better results happen when we find something in between. But of course, some people are all in for selective schooling and some other people are all in for comprehensive schooling. But what is important for us here, English plus podcast listeners.

[00:07:37] You need to understand the difference between selective and comprehensive schooling and now you do. And now let’s continue with this one. The main issue is whether everyone has the same opportunities for educational achievement or whether elite ism elitism comes from elite. And that is when you favor a small privileged group.

[00:07:56] Over others. That is elitism. And that is usually not a good thing. Of course, most people are against. So that was elite as them. And then we continue, we said of one sort or another, and here we said whether elite ism of one sort or another is inherent in the system. What is the meaning of something that is inherent in the system?

[00:08:15] When you say something is inherent in the system? That means it exists in the system. In our example, here as a basic part of it inherent in means existing as a basic part of something. Now let’s continue league tables for schools and colleges may actually help unintentionally to perpetuate inequalities.

[00:08:34] Now, here, let’s talk first about league tables. What are league tables? League tables. These are lists of schools or colleges. From the best down to the worst based on exam results and sometimes other criteria. So these are called league tables. That’s why we have something that they call the Ivy league schools.

[00:08:53] That’s the best of the best. The creme de LA creme. Some people are with this. Some people are against this. Some people are against this kind of classification because as we continued and said, that may actually unintentionally. Help perpetuate inequalities. When you say perpetuate, and that is our word here, that means to make something continue not to stop something, but actually you help it.

[00:09:16] You make it continue. That is to perpetuate. And now we continue and say inevitably leak tables, divide educational institution into good and bad success and failure resulting in a two tier system. Now, what is the two tier system? When we have two tier something specialty systems, we’re talking about a system with two separate levels.

[00:09:37] One of which is better than the other. And that’s not a very good thing, because that is again against opportunity and equality that we’re talking about. That’s actually the topic of all this text. And here we continue and say, or at least that is how the public perceives it. Maybe this two tier system is not actually there, but that is at least how the public perceives it.

[00:09:59] What does it meaning of perceives? That’s the way how they see it. That’s the way how they consider it. Let’s continue the ability of better off. Parents and well endowed schools to push children towards the institutions at the top of the league may in the long-term have the effect of depressing opportunity for the less well-off.

[00:10:18] Now here we have better off and less well off and well, in doubt, let’s talk about these expressions. Now, when we say better off the ability of better off parents. Now, that means the richer. Of course, here, you might say, why don’t we just say Richard? Of course, you can say Richard, but here we’re talking about language that is stronger and that can be used in a more formal context and you might need that.

[00:10:38] And that’s why we’re trying to learn these things so better off means richer. And then we continue and say, well, in doubt, we’re talking about schools. That means receiving a lot of money in grants gifts from rich people. And these are called endowments. These are gifts. These are donations. So here, well in doubt schools, better off parents.

[00:10:59] They may push their children towards the institutions at the top of the league. But that in the long run may depress, we said here have the effect of depressing opportunity, but this does not come from depression and being sad. No, that means reducing depressing an opportunity means to reduce an opportunity.

[00:11:17] And that is we are depressing opportunity for the less well off. That’s just the opposite of better off. We’re talking about the poor, the poor people. Not the richer, the poor people. And here there’s one more word I’d like to talk about. That is to Excel. When we say for children from home environments that do not provide the push and motivation to Excel, Excel here means to achieve an excellent standard.

[00:11:39] Now, of course, in this case, this word is better because we can use it instead of saying, achieve an excellent standard. We have one word for it. So sometimes it’s not just because it’s formal, but sometimes because it’s shorter. And in writing, especially in writing, that will be a lot better. Let’s continue this last part of the text before we move on.

[00:11:55] Here. We said financial support of different kinds can help to make educational opportunity more equal. There are, for example, scholarships or bursaries. Now what are scholarships and what are bursaries? Are they the same or different? You might have heard of scholarships. Now let’s talk about scholarships.

[00:12:10] First. Now scholarships are money given to be for studies. And if you look at bursaries, they’re just the same. They’re the same money given to pay for studies, but the criteria is different scholarships. As we said money given to pay for studies, but that is usually provided on the basis of academic merit.

[00:12:27] But when we talk about bursaries, that’s the same thing, money given to pay for studies, but it’s usually provided on the basis of need the students who need money. It’s not just academic, maybe both sometimes, but that is the main difference, scholarships and bursaries. And then we continue and say that, make it possible with scholarships and bursaries, make it possible for less privileged youngsters to afford tertiary education or tertiary education.

[00:12:51] Now, tertiary is a British English pronunciation. Tertiary is an American English pronunciation, but that’s not the point it’s spelled T E R T I a R Y. Tertiary. Now tertiary education. That’s, we’re talking about primary, secondary, and tertiary. That’s like after high school, but what does that mean?

[00:13:09] Actually, not just like after high school that’s education at university or college level, any education at university or college level, we can call it tertiary education. And now we go on and talk about student loans. Student loans allow undergraduates to pay for their tuition fees. Yeah, student loans.

[00:13:26] What are these student loans are not like scholarships. Scholarships are different student loans that come from the bank. And when you take something from the bank, guess what you have to give it back. Student loans are money that students can borrow from a bank while studying, and then pay back once they are in work.

[00:13:43] And we also hear said, student loans allow undergraduates. Uh, who are the undergraduates? And what’s the opposite of that, or what’s the other word that we hear all the time. Post-graduates undergraduates and postgraduates. We use that in education all the time. What does that mean? Undergraduates are students doing a first degree while post-graduates are students doing a further degree?

[00:14:03] Usually after the bachelor or any other kind of degree, but the first degree is what we call undergraduates. People who are doing further degrees or degree are called postgraduates. And finally, we said students loans allow undergraduates to pay for their tuition fees. Now, what are the tuition fees?

[00:14:21] That’s the money paid to receive teaching. You need to pay that. If you want to get the education you want at any university you choose. So this was our first text, and now we will move on to talk about some other debates and issues. We will talk about those as small debates and issues, and then we will discuss the important words I would need you to learn from these smaller debates and issues.

[00:14:42] Let’s start with the first one. Some people think we should return to an emphasis on the three RS, the traditional basic skills. What do we mean when we say the three RS? Everybody might know about that, but sometimes you hear the three RS. What does that mean? Well, three RS, very easy reading, writing, arithmetic.

[00:14:59] These are the three RS. We call them the three RS because actually they are the basic thing. And most schools, even now, they still focus. Most of the students time on the three RS. Now let’s move on to the next debate or issue literacy and numeracy are skills. No one can afford to be without now. You might agree with that.

[00:15:18] You might not, but what do we mean by literacy and numeracy now? Literacy. That’s the ability to read numeracy. That’s the ability to count or do basic math. Now let’s move on to the next one. Curriculum reform is often done for political reasons, rather than for good educational ones. Now, a lot of people might agree with that.

[00:15:38] Maybe it is true, but anyway, what we care about here is the word curriculum reform. What do we mean by that curriculum reform? These are the changes to what is covered in the national syllabus, but what is the syllabus? The syllabus is a plan of what is to be studied. When you change that that is called curriculum reform changes to what is covered in the national syllabus.

[00:16:00] Now let’s move on to the next one. Nowadays, lifelong or continuing education is an issue and creating opportunities for mature students is important. So first we’ll talk about lifelong or continuing education. That is a term. What does that mean? That means education for all ages. Not only for children, not only for children at schools, education for all ages.

[00:16:22] And then we have mature students. What do we mean by mature students? These are adult students older than the average students that you find. They don’t have to be fifties or sixties, but they are older than the average student. That’s what we call mature students. Now let’s move on to the next debate.

[00:16:38] Special needs. Education is expensive because class sizes need to be small or one-to-one here. The key thing, or the key word we want to learn is special needs education. What does that mean? That is education for children who cannot learn in the normal way because they have some disability. And we also talked about the classes need to be small or one-to-one.

[00:17:00] And when we say one-to-one, that means one teacher and one students, not a group. And that is why it is expensive. Now let’s move on to the next debate or issue. Children are unhappy at school. If there is a lot of bullying and that’s a big issue, obviously it’s not even a debate. Everybody agrees on that.

[00:17:18] Everybody actually must agree that this is a big problem and that makes children unhappy. But what is bullying? Bullying that is the threatening behavior. Some students act on other students, which is very dangerous and very disheartening to other children that might lead to catastrophic effects.

[00:17:35] Sometimes. Anyway, that’s bullying threatening behavior. Now let’s move on to the next issue or the bait. Some head teachers complain that getting to grips with constant new government guidelines on what schools should be doing is a distraction from what they ought to be focusing on. To be honest, as I can say for myself, been there, done that.

[00:17:55] I kind of agree with them. Sometimes those guidelines can be a distraction, especially when there are too many and they change too much. So what are the guidelines? The guidelines are usually advice. These are not laws. These are not rules, but these are advice and kind of compelling because they’re official.

[00:18:12] So when they’re official, yes, you don’t have to follow the guidelines, but if you don’t follow the guidelines, there are consequences. So you’d better do that. So these are the guidelines. And here we’re talking about these guidelines, the constant new government guidelines can be a distraction.

[00:18:27] Distraction obviously is something that takes your attention away. That was the last thing I wanted to tell you about in this episode. I hope you found it useful. I hope you learn new things, and I’m pretty sure that some of the things we talked about today are kind of new, but the most important thing is that you can use this in your own language and your own writing and your own speaking, especially if you’re using.

[00:18:49] Formal language. A lot of the words we learned here today can be very handy and you can use them now, remember that if you want to practice the information you learn and you should, I’m giving you my own guidelines. Now you don’t have to follow them, but there are consequences. I’m just kidding. The point is if you would like to practice, if you would like to master these things and to remember them, Not just to let that an episode that you listened to and you forget about after a week or two.

[00:19:12] No, you want to retain the information that you learned. Please take the link. I will leave in the description that will take you to the website. You will find everything you need, and especially you will find the special PDF practice worksheet custom made. For this episode. You will practice what you learn.

[00:19:28] Maybe you will leave that till tomorrow. You’ve learned about that right now. If you do the practice worksheet just now you will know all the answers, but maybe tomorrow will be a good time to review the information you learned here today. But don’t wait until tomorrow. You might forget. Take the link now, go there, download the PDF, keep it somewhere where you can remember where it is and review it tomorrow.

[00:19:48] You will also find in the description, two more links. One is going to take you to Patreon where you can support English plus podcast. If you like the content we’re creating and you would like us to create more of that content and even more things. And a lot of surprises are coming your way. You want to support that, go ahead and become our patron on Patreon and support our podcast and help us go on.

[00:20:09] And there’s also the other link that will take you to our mailing list, where you can subscribe and get updates every two weeks, whenever we release a new chapter. That being said, that’ll be everything for this episode. This is your host, Danny. Thank you very much for listening to another episode from English plus podcast.

[00:20:24] I will see you next time.

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