education for leanning english

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IELTS topic Vocabulary - Education
Introduction
Education is one of the key topics for IELTS. You will almost certainly need it in part 1 of
the speaking module and it is also a common essay topic. You will find here a list of helpful
vocabulary to improve your performance in those two papers.
How to learn this vocabulary
Whatever you do, donʼt just sit down and learn the list. You need to be able to use the
language for yourself. How can you do this:
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choose the language that you need - make it personal to you
note what other words it is used with
note any grammar problems
remember pronunciation

Key university language
Graduate
Word

Examples/explanations

Word form

Graduate

Graduate from university

Verb

A graduate
A postgraduate

A graduate of Oxford university/ a Noun
graduate in economics
Heʼs a postgraduate student
Noun

An undergraduate

Undergraduates receive a grant

Noun

A fresher

Life can be difficult for freshers

Noun


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Types of degree
Word

A first degree

Meaning/example
The degree undergraduates do

A bachelorʼs degree

A synonym for a first degree

A masterʼs (degree)

He is doing a masterʼs in politics

A PhD or a doctorate

Only a few students go on to do a PhD

Types of course
Phrase

Example

A full-time degee course

Most students follow a full-time degree course

A part-time degree course

If you are in full-time employment, a part-time may
be more suitable

In the age of the internet, more and more people
are studying by distance
If you want practical experience, a sandwich
course is the best option

A distance course
A sandwich course

Types of writing

Form of writing

Explanation

Thesis

The paper you write at the end of your PhD

Dissertation

The paper you write at the end of your masterʼs (and some
first degree courses)
This is the university equivalent of homework

Assignment


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Useful verbs for speaking
Verb

Examples

Do

Iʼm doing law at Bristol University

Study

Iʼm studying maths at Beijing University

Major

Iʼm majoring in English

Be

Iʼm at the LSE.

Go

Heʼs going to university next year

Leave

I left university 20 years ago.

Finish

Iʼm going to finish my course next year

Other learning verbs
Learning words

Examples

Revise

I need to do some revision before the exam.

Understand

Iʼve tried learning it by heart, but I still donʼt understand it.

Take notes
Organise

Itʼs important to take notes when you are listening to a
lecture.
After the lecture you should organise your notes

Review

I review my notes at the end of every week.

Concentrate

Itʼs not always easy to concentrate in lectures.

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Types of institution
Place

Explanation

A faculty

Part of a university which specialises in the taeching of
one subject, eg “the Law Faculty”
A college
Part of a university in British English which students
belong to for social activities
A college of further An alternative to university. Where you normally study
education
something vocational
A polytechnic
An alternative word for university in some cultures;
sometimes one step below university
Law school
Where you study law after you graduate and before
you start practising law
Medical school
The name of the medical faculty in many universities

Qualifications

Degree

You receive a degree from a university at the end of your
course

Diploma

A diploma is for a shorter course than a degree

Certificate

A certicate is also for a short course

Forms of education
Type of education Explanation
Higher education

University education

Further education

Normally for more vocational courses and may start from
the age of 16
This is normally for non-degree programmes and often is
part-time

Adult education


Dominic Cole’s IELTS Blog

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Forms of study
Learning process Explanation
Lecture
Seminar

Tutorial

The students make notes and listen to the lecturer. There
may be a question and answer session at the end.
Often led by a student on a particular topic. Normally, the
idea is everyone gets the chance to talk. Often follows a
lecture
Sometimes teaching one-to-one with a tutor and
sometimes the same as a seminar

Finance
Word

Example

Scholarship

She won a scholarship for her dissertation.

Grant

Because she came from a poor background, she was given a
grant by local government

Almost all British undergraduates now have student loans that
they need to repay when they start earning

Loan

Exercises and advice on how to use this vocabulary
More vocabulary lists and exercises