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Make the Grade 1: School Life

Everyday vocabulary for talking about life at school: term, academic year, subject, timetable, grade, coursework, continuous assessment and more. Built around a UK Sixth Form student's interview about her school year, so most words are met in a natural spoken context. B1-B2, for exam speaking and describing your own studies.

English13 wordswith a textB1educationschoolspeakingvocabularymade by a person
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A UK Sixth Form Student's Year

Q: How many does your have?
A: Three. The first one always starts in September and finishes in December.
Q: How many do you study, and which ones?
A: Most people study three or four in the last two years of school, which we call Sixth in the UK. I study four: biology, chemistry, maths and French.
Q: Do you want to go on to when you finish school?
A: Yes, I want to study Veterinary science.
Q: What grades do you usually get?
A: They're pretty high, for example A or A+.
Q: What's your like?
A: I usually start at 9 am and finish at 4 pm, but two days a week I finish earlier.
Q: Do you have exams, or is it ?
A: Nowadays about 80% of our depends on exams. The rest is a question of our , including . You need to — you know, everything you write down.
Q: Would you like one day?
A: Yes. I think I'd like to spend a year studying in the US or Canada.

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Words in the packClick a word – the card opens in full.
term[tɜːm]
A period of the school or university year during which classes are held.
ExamplesThe autumn term runs from September to December.
Word tagsnounschoolB1
academic year[ˌækəˈdemɪk ˈjɪə]
A period of twelve months used to organize the educational programme.
ExamplesOur academic year is divided into three terms.
Word tagsphraseschoolB1
subject[ˈsʌbdʒɪkt]
School or university disciplines that students study as part of their education.
Synonymsdiscipline
ExamplesI study four subjects: biology, chemistry, maths and French.
Word tagsnouneducationA2
form[fɔːm]
A school class or year group.
Synonymsgrade, year group
ExamplesIn the UK, the last two years of school are called Sixth Form.
Word tagsnounschoolB1
mark[mɑːk]
A number or letter that is written on a piece of work, saying how good the work is.
Synonymsgrade
ExamplesNowadays about 80% of our mark depends on exams.
Word tagsnounschoolassessmentA2
timetable[ˈtaɪmˌteɪbl]
A schedule showing when and where classes take place.
Synonymsschedule
ExamplesMy timetable starts at 9 am and finishes at 4 pm.
Word tagsnounschoolA2
continuous assessment[kənˈtɪnjuəs əˈsesmənt]
The system of regularly evaluating students throughout a course rather than relying only on a final exam.
ExamplesHalf of the marks come from continuous assessment, not just exams.
Word tagsphraseassessmentB2
coursework[ˈkɔːswɜːk]
Work completed during a course, especially longer pieces of academic work.
ExamplesThe rest of the grade is a question of our coursework.
Word tagsnounassessmentB2
assignment[əˈsaɪnmənt]
A piece of work that a student is asked to do as part of a course.
Synonymstask
ExamplesYou have to hand in three assignments this term.
Word tagsnouneducationB1
to take notes[teɪk nəʊts]
To write down important information while listening to a teacher or lecturer.
ExamplesI always take notes during the lecture.
Word tagsphraseverbstudy skillsB1
to keep something up to date[kiːp ʌp tə ˈdeɪt]
To make sure that information remains current and accurate.
ExamplesYou need to keep all the notes you make in class up to date.
Word tagsphraseverbB1
higher education[ˈhaɪər ˌedjʊˈkeɪʃn]
The system of education after secondary school, such as university or college.
ExamplesShe wants to go on to higher education and study Veterinary science.
Word tagsphraseeducationB1
to study abroad[ˈstʌdi əˈbrɔːd]
To study at an educational institution in another country.
ExamplesI'd like to spend a year studying abroad in the US or Canada.
Word tagsphraseverbtravelB1
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