Vocabulary for IELTS writing task 2 education
Using academic collocations is very important for doing well on the IELTS test, especially in Speaking and Writing Task 2. Below is a professional guide with important words and phrases for the "Education" topic, along with their exact meanings to help you get a Band 7 or higher.
1. Degrees and Higher Education
When talking about college life and academic success:
Higher education: Education usually in a college or university that is pursued after high school or secondary school.
Bachelor's degree: An undergraduate course that usually lasts 3-4 years.
Master's degree: A period of study that often follows the completion of the bachelor’s degree or is undertaken by someone.
A graduation ceremony: An event where a successful student receives his or her academic degree.
A mature student: A student who is older than the average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work.
2. Types of Schools and Institutions
There are different types of schools in the English education system:
State school: A school paid for by public funds and available for the general public.
Public schools: Exclusive independent schools in the UK.
Private language school: An independent school run as a business concern.
Boarding school: A school where pupils live during term time.
A single-sex school: A school where only boys or girls attend.
3. Ways of Studying
There are many ways to learn in modern education:
To attend classes: To go to classes.
Face-to-face classes: As opposed to distance learning, the traditional way of studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher.
Distance learning: A way of studying where tuition is carried out over the internet or by post.
An intensive course: A course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a time as possible.
4. Student Life and Academic Habits
How to talk about the progress you've made and the problems you've had in your studies:
To keep up with your studies: To not fall behind.
To fall behind with students: To progress less quickly than the others.
To meet a deadline: To end a job or task in the time allowed or agreed.
To sit an exam: To take an exam.
To learn something by heart: To memorize it.
To play truant: To stay away from classes without permission.
To take a year out: To spend a year working or traveling before starting university.
5. Teachers and Feedback
Subject specialist: A teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach.
To give feedback: To offer guidance on a student's work.
To work up an appetite: To do physical work that leads to you becoming hungry.
Summary Table for Quick Revision
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| To attend classes | To go to classes |
| Bachelor's 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 students | To progress less quickly than the 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 the average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work |
| Master's degree | A period of study which often follows the completion of the bachelor’s degree |
| To meet a deadline | To end 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 |
| To sit an exam | To take an exam |
| State school | A school paid for by public funds and available for 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 |
| To work up an appetite | To do physical work that leads to you becoming hungry |
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