Vocabulary to speak about Education and Studies

1. EDUCATION
B2- EOI CARTAGENA
Isabel Bastida & Ana Mena

2. 1. EDUCATION

3. 1. EDUCATION
1. What’s the difference?
a) lecture/ seminar/ dissertation/ coursework
b) BA’s degree/ BS’s degree/ master’s/ PhD
c) sixth form/ college/ grammar school/ comprehensive school/ campus
d) major in/ drop out/ fall behind/ scrape through/ pass with flying colours
e) core subjects/ subsidiary subjects/ academic subjects
f) distant learning/ private tuition/ on-campus learning/ home schooling
g) a freshman/ a sophomore/ a senior/ a bully/ a prefect
h) Vocational training/ Apprenticeships/ Work experience

4. What do you think about these statements? In groups,
express your opinions about each statement and give
reasons
1. Employees who’ve done apprenticeships are better than those with
paper qualifications.
2. Schools should focus on academic subjects rather than vocational
training.
3. Distant learning isn’t as effective as face-to-face or on-campus learning.
4. Students’ grades should be based on coursework rather than final exams.
5. Students should get some work experience before going to University.
6. One needs to postgraduate to have access to our competitive labour
market.
1. EDUCATION

5. 1. EDUCATION
pay course fees – sleep in a dorm – cram for end-of-term exams
attend a lecture – give a seminar on William Shakespeare
- play truant – get a grant – be involved in Greek life
graduate with honours in Chemistry – take the register
stay in detention room – morning meeting in the assembly room
2. Which of these expressions would you expect to be mentioned in a
state secondary school, in a university or both?

6. 1. EDUCATION
STUDENT A
• What makes a good teacher?
• Are university fees reasonable in
your country?
• Is it necessary to live in the
country to brush up your
English?
• Has education changed
significantly with the passing of
time?
• Should final exams be banned?
STUDENT B
• Should homework be abolished?
• Did you ever pull an all nighter
when you were at school?
• Do girls perform better than boys
at school?
• Do you miss your school years?
Why (not)?
• What new subjects would you
teach?
Discuss the following questions in pairs

7. 1. EDUCATION
Match the idioms/ phrases in bold with their definition:
1. The students received an A for effort for their work on the class project.
2. Learning how to use a computer is as easy as ABC for the children.
3. I did very well in the course even though I did not crack a book until the last week of classes.
4. The young girl is an eager beaver and always comes to class before the other students.
5. My sister spent most of the week goofing off and was not prepared for her test.
6. After relaxing all weekend I hit the books on Sunday evening.
7. I was able to pass the science test with flying colors.
8. The boys played hooky and went to the video game center for the afternoon.
9. My sister was always the teacher's pet at her school.
10. The boy put on his thinking cap and tried to think of a new name for the school newspaper.
a. someone who works very hard and is very enthusiastic
b. to waste time
c. the recognition that someone has tried hard to do something even though he or she may not be successful
d. to pass something easily and with a high score
e. not to go to school when you should
f. the teacher's favorite student
g. very easy
h. to start thinking in a serious manner
i. to begin to study hard
j. not to open a book to study

8. 1. EDUCATION
1. A 2. 3. 4. 5.
4. What makes a successful student? Watch the video and choose four
ideas they mention, which are not in the right order. Write your answers in
the grid below.
A.A. Learn somethingLearn something
B. Cultivate academic networks
C. The social experience will last forever
D. Work wisely, not too hard.
E. Deal with your pile of work
F. Don’t step into the library
G. Independence and liberty
H. Time management
I. Balance your academics.
J. Build up connections

9. 1. EDUCATION
5. Watch the video based on Aristotle’s quote. What should we teach our
children? Watch the video again and fill in the gaps.
-Parents just want to protect (a) ______________ and love their newborns because they are (b)
______________.
-They send their kids to school to (c) ______________ with information, to get the (d) ______________
they need in real life.
-School prepares them for life and, thus, children experience, friendship, romance, disappointment,
embarrassment (e) ______________ and (f) ______________.
-But to (g) ______________ the world outside other concepts should be taught.
-The new change can happen today at (h) ______________, dance class and (i) ______________ and
music lessons.
-If it is the parents’ desire for their children to grow into (j) ______________ young people, balanced
education is required.

10. •HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT RATE
• SUBJECTS TO BE TAUGHT
•DEMOTIVATED TEACHERS
•BULLYING
•LOW PERFORMANCE IN TESTS
•HIGH FEES AND FEW GRANTS
•OTHER PROBLEMS
1. EDUCATION: Debate topics