Lesson 4 · Lesson guide
Education: Schools, Universities and Lifelong Learning
Hello, my dear student!
Hello! Education is one of the most common topics in IELTS. It appears in Task 2 essays, in Reading passages and in every part of the Speaking test.
Many students know the ideas but use weak words: “big school”, “make an exam”, “give money for study”. Today you will learn the words that a Band 6.5 answer uses instead: higher education, take an exam, tuition fees.
We will learn them in groups, because words that go together are easier to remember and sound natural.
See you in the exercises,Your teacher
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The stages of education
School
Primary and secondary
primary school (about 6–11), secondary school (about 11–16 or 18). Together: compulsory education.
- Secondary education is compulsory in Uzbekistan.
After school
Higher and vocational
higher education = university or college degrees. vocational training = learning a practical job, like a nurse or an electrician.
- More young people now go into higher education.
- Vocational courses prepare students for work.
All your life
Lifelong and distance learning
lifelong learning = studying at any age. distance learning = studying online or by post, not on campus.
- Distance learning allows adults to study while they work.
Remember!
Compulsory = you must do it by law. In most countries school is compulsory until about 16.
Words that go together
These collocations are what examiners call “natural” vocabulary.
Exams
take / pass / fail an exam
We take (or sit) an exam. We never “make” an exam.
- I’m taking my IELTS exam in May.
- She failed one exam but passed the others.
University
enrol on a course, attend lectures, get a degree
You enrol on a course, attend lectures and seminars, and finally get (or earn) a degree.
- He enrolled on a business course last year.
- Students must attend at least 80% of lectures.
Problems
drop out, fall behind, pay tuition fees
drop out = leave before you finish. fall behind = not keep up with the others.
- Some students drop out because the fees are too high.
Common mistakes
Not: I will make my exam next week.Say: I will take my exam next week.
take / sit an exam, not make.
Not: Teachers give students many knowledges.Say: Teachers give students a lot of knowledge.
Knowledge, information, advice, homework and research are uncountable: no -s, no “a”.
Not: My teacher learned me English.Say: My teacher taught me English.
The teacher teaches; the student learns.
Check yourself
What do we call education after school, at university?
Leave a course before you finish it: ___ out
Correct it: I need an advice about universities.
Now it’s your turn!
8 short parts, each a little harder than the one before. Take your time: mistakes are how we learn.
— Your teacher