Topic: Education | Speaking for IELTS PDF Download

Vocabulary  

Humanities: studies about human culture, such as literature, languages, philosophy, and history.

Example: Chloe excels in humanities subjects. She’s adept at arts and languages.

Sciences: studies about the world, such as physics, biology, chemistry, and maths.

Example: Mark doesn’t like scientific subjects, he’s just too lazy to learn formulas.

A for effort: a good mark, which is given someone for trying hard rather than for a success.

Example: Although I’m not the smartest in my group, I often get an A for effort, because I try hard.

Bachelor’s degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3 or 4 years.

Example: I will receive my bachelor’s degree in two years.

Bookworm: a term to describe someone who really likes to read and spends a lot of time on it.

Example: I’m a real bookworm. I won’t stop until the book is read.

Distance learning (e-learning): education that takes place remotely, usually via the Internet.

Example: Distance learning is more flexible than traditional education, because students don’t have to attend classes and can schedule their timetables as they want.

Eager beaver: an enthusiastic and hard-working person.

Example: My friend is an eager beaver. He studies everything with pleasure and gets great marks.

Face-to-face classes: a traditional way of studying – in a classroom with a teacher.

Example: When I was a kid, face-to-face classes had no alternatives, but nowadays a myriad of educational establishments offer online courses and individual tuition.

Higher education: education that is followed after high school.

Example: I plan on getting higher education after finishing school.

Hit the books: begin studying hard.

Example: I’m on my third year in the university, it is time to finally hit the books.

Individual tuition (private tuition): instruction received individually or in a small group.

Example: Individual tuition is sometimes more effective than group work.

Intensive course: a course that offers longer and more frequent classes.

Example: A few years ago I took an intensive French course in the university.

Internship: a temporary position which students usually take to get work experience and practical knowledge.

Example: Before I went into design industry, I took an internship in a company.

Master’s degree: a graduate course, which follows after bachelor’s degree.

Example: Master’s degree is often important to find a job with a higher salary.

Mature student: someone who’s older than others.

Example: Nowadays it’s not uncommon to face a mature student in the class. People often change professions and get a second or third degree in their midthirties. 

Not the sharpest tool in the shed: a polite way of saying that someone isn’t very smart.

Example: Maybe John isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s a good friend nonetheless.

Public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK.

Example: My friend finished a public school a few years ago.

Schoolboy error: a very basic and stupid mistake.

Example: Sam made a schoolboy error on his English test.

Single-sex schools: schools for either boys or girls.

Example: My brother studied in a single-sex school

Small fraction: small part.

Example: A small fraction of students managed to pass this exam.

State school: a school which is paid for by the state or country.

Example: It is hard to find a good state school nowadays.

Subject specialist: a person who is very talented in one specific field.

Example: My math teacher was a real subject specialist. Thanks to him math is my favourite subject now.

Teacher’s pet: student whom teachers like the most.

Example: Hugo is a teacher’s pet, he attends all classes and manages to get good marks with poor knowledge.

Three R’s: basic educational skills (reading, writing, arithmetic).

Example: Pupils in a primary school study the three R’s.

To attend classes: to visit classes.

Example: In my college, students need to attend classes five times a week.

To fall behind with studies: to progress less quickly than others.

Example: Mary was ill for two weeks, so she fell behind with her studies.

To give feedback: to give some information or criticism on a subject.

Example: I launched a project a couple of days ago and I want my friends to give me some feedback.

To goof around: spend time doing nothing important.

Example: Sometimes I like to goof around, although my parents scold me for that.

To learn something by heart: to memorize something.

Example: Last year i had to learn a very big poem by heart for my literature class.

To meet a deadline: to finish something within a time limit.

Example: Unfortunately, we weren’t able to meet the deadline for our project.

To pass with flying colours: to pass easily and with excellent result.

Example: I’m studying hard and I will pass IELTS with flying colours.

To play truant: to skip classes without permission.

Example: During my school years I often played truant with my friends.

To pursue studying: to continue studying.

Example: Lora would like to pursue studying in the future to become a professor.

To set aside some time: to take some time.

Example: I need to set aside some time to collect my thoughts.

To sit an exam: to take an exam.

Example: Tomorrow I’ll have to sit a two-hour math exam.

To take a year out: to spend one year working or traveling before studying in the University.

Example: My friend took a year out and went traveling to the UK.

Tuition fees: money you pay for your education.

Example: I had to pay tuition fees this summer.