14 Education

A Stages in a person’s education (UK system)

The youngest children start their education in a crèche /kreʃ/, where they
mostly play but also do some early learning activities. After that, they may
go to a nursery school. Between the ages of five and 11, children attend
primary school, where they learn the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic,
etc. For most children, secondary education begins when they enter a
comprehensive school or a more traditional grammar school (to which
they gain admission by sitting an exam). The famous UK public schools are
in fact private, fee-paying schools. Between the ages of 11 and 18, young
people take a wide range of subjects in arts, sciences and technical areas.
In the UK, pupils can leave school at the age of 16, although many young
people choose to remain in full-time education until the age of 18. (In
England it is compulsory for young people to continue with some form
of education or training until they are 18 [they must do it], even if they also
have a job.) From 16 to 18 young people may study at secondary school or
at a sixth-form college, aft er which they may go on to higher education.

B Exams and qualifications

You take/do/sit an exam or resit1 an exam. At schools and
sixth-form colleges in the UK, students have to take formal
end-of-year exams. At 18, a lot of students sit their university
entrance exams, commonly referred to as ‘A levels’. Students
are usually given marks (e.g. 75%) or grades (e.g. A, B+, C).
If you pass and do well, you get a high grade. If you fail, you
don’t get the minimum grade. If you skip classes2, you’ll
probably do badly in the exam.
1
take it again if you did badly first time
2
miss deliberately; infml
Common mistakes
C Technology
We say: pass an exam, e.g. I passed
With an LMS or a VLE1, students can work online and do all my exams and graduated in 2010.
more distance2 learning or blended3 learning. Teachers (NOT I succeeded at/in all my exams.)
can monitor4 students’ activities and progress5; students
can choose courses and/or modules6, submit7 work, write
blogs, access wikis and leave voice messages.
1
Learning Management System or Virtual Learning Environment: computer system that controls all aspects of
2 3
teaching and learning without attending classes, e.g. from home using a mix of classroom and online
4 5 6
learning check regularly note: progress is uncountable individual elements or parts of a course
7 send/ give their work to the teacher

D Talking about education: common questions

What’s the school-leaving age? It’s 18 in a lot of countries.
At what age does compulsory education begin? [which you must do, by law]

34 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises
14.1 Fill the gaps in this life story of a British woman.
Amy first went to her local 1 primary school at the age of five. The year before that she
attended a 2 , but her parents didn’t send her to a 3 when she was very
small. When Amy was ready to go on to secondary school, she passed a special exam and so gained
4
to her local 5 school. Her friends didn’t do that exam. Like most
6
children, they went to a school. Only a few children from very rich families go to
7
famous schools and Amy only knew one girl from her class at primary school who
did. At the age of 16, Amy went on to 8 , where she is currently
9
studying English, History and Maths. Her ambition is to go on to
and become a teacher.
14.2 Rewrite the words in bold in this conversation using words from B opposite.
ALMUT: I’ve got one more exam tomorrow. I hope I get the minimum grade pass .
I’m worried.
JOE: Really? What makes you think you won’t get a high grade?
ALMUT: Well, I’ve missed a couple of classes this term.
JOE: Hm. If you get below the minimum grade, are you allowed to take the exam again?
ALMUT: Yes, but I don’t want to. Next year I want to go to university, not sit my university entrance
exams again!
14.3 Correct the mistakes in these sentences.
sixth-form college
1 In the UK, students between 16 and 18 can go to a nursery school.
2 The school-ending age is 18 in many countries.
3 I’m glad you succeeded at your exam.
4 She has to sit on a Biology exam next week.
5 Is school compulsive till 18 in your country?
6 Do we have to admit our work to the teacher by Friday?
7 I’ve made a lot of progresses in my English recently.
8 Thanks to the LMS, teachers can mentor their students’ activities.
14.4 What do we call …?
1 learning that mixes classes and online work? blended learning
2 schools which require students to take an exam to gain admission?
3 private schools where parents pay fees?
4 learning you can do at home, without going to class?

14.5 Over to you

Make a chart in English for the education system in your country. Is it the same as the UK or are
there differences? Compare with someone else if possible.

English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate 35

15 Higher education
A University studies
Students who attend university in the UK start with undergraduate studies, which are usually the
studies towards a bachelor’s degree [a first degree at university]. They follow a programme of different
modules [parts of the university course]. They usually have to complete a certain number of credits each
year. For example, if the students need 180 credits, they might take two modules of
60 credits each, and their dissertation [long piece of writing] might be worth another 60 credits. When
they have graduated [completed their bachelor’s degree], students become graduates.
If they want to continue their university education, students can begin postgraduate studies. The
first stage of this would be a master’s degree, and aft er that they can do a PhD (doctor of philosophy)
[the highest university degree]. Postgraduate studies require students to specialise in a particular field,
and they often do research. They usually have to write another dissertation (for a master’s degree)
or a thesis (for a PhD).

B People, places, and types of classes

A university campus A lecture theatre A tutorial

If you visit a university campus, you’ll see a Language help
lecture theatre (or a lecture hall). During lectures,
students listen to a lecturer and take notes. Some An undergraduate (student) or undergrad is
modules have seminars where smaller groups a student studying for their bachelor’s degree.
discuss the subject in detail. The academic staff A postgraduate (student) or postgrad is a
[people who teach] might also include tutors, who student studying for their master’s or a PhD.
teach students individually or in small groups, in Notice that postgraduate and undergraduate
sessions called tutorials. Many students live on can be used as nouns or adjectives.
campus in halls of residence (or halls).

C Student services

Admissions1 Funding3 Student Union

To apply for one of our Tuition fees4 should be Visit our student union7
postgraduate programmes, check paid at the beginning of page to find out more
the entry requirements2 on the the academic year. To apply about student societies
programme page. Then click here for a student loan5 and clubs.
to submit your application. or a scholarship6 click here.

1 a university department that deals with new 5 money that a student borrows to pay for their course
applications and new students 6 money that is given to a student to pay for a course
2 qualifications that are needed to enter a (usually for students who are doing well at school)
programme 7 an organization that deals with student issues and
3 money that students can receive student life on campus, and a place where students
4 money that students have to pay for their course can meet

36 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises
15.1 What do we call …?
1 A first degree at college or university bachelor’s degree
2 The lower level of postgraduate degree
3 The highest university degree
4 A person who is studying for their first degree
5 A person who has completed their first degree
6 A person who is studying for a master’s or PhD
15.2 Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1 This undergraduate credit / programme / field lasts four years.
2 To complete the year students need 180 lectures / credits / modules. 60 of these are for the thesis.
3 After three years, you will research / credit / graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
4 My master’s field / credit / dissertation on modern English literature was 120 pages long.
5 Dr Lewis has been doing research / thesis / field into dolphin behaviour and has made a very
important discovery.
6 Lucy is an expert in the field / programme / research of ancient history and has just completed
her PhD on Greek art.
15.3 Fill the gaps with words from B opposite.
1 A campus is a place where the university buildings are located.
2 Student accommodation is called .
3 Academic staff, such as professors, tutors and , have offices at
the university.
4 are meetings (one-to-one or in small groups) with a tutor.
5 Students listen to talks in a .
6 Some are attended by two hundred students.
15.4 Correct the mistakes in these sentences.
finance
1 There are two types of student unions: student loans and scholarships.

2 You must pay your entry requirements by 17th September.

3 A great way of meeting new people on campus is to join some of the student scholarships and clubs.

4 The admissions office helps current students with their problems and life on campus.

5 Before you submit your application, read the student loan thoroughly.

15.5 Over to you

Is the system of university studies similar in your country?
Make a list of similarities and differences.

English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate 37

16 Work
A Jobs in a workplace
director [member of the board of a company] executive /Ig'zekjUtIv/ [important person who
makes big decisions] administrator [person who runs the office day-to-day] skilled worker
[trained to do specific tasks, e.g. building a computer] unskilled worker [doing a job that needs no
training] receptionist [visitors must check in with them] public relations officer [gives information
about the company to the media] union representative [looks after the staff’s interests] researcher
[investigates and develops new products] supervisor [makes sure workers are doing their job properly]

Common mistakes
The best way of getting to work (NOT job) depends on where you live.
Wish me luck in my new job (NOT work).
Job refers to a particular role or position. Jack’s got a new job as a researcher.
Work refers to activities that you do. Jack’s work is very demanding.

B Trades and professions

civil servant designer judge
[person who works for [person who takes
a government department decisions in legal cases]
putting policies into action] PROFESSIONS
[jobs that require lecturer
scientist considerable training [university teacher]
physiotherapist and/or qualifications] ambassador
/fIzi@U'Ter@pIst/ [chief diplomat or person
[person who treats economist representing his/ her
muscle injury by [expert in financial government abroad]
rubbing and moving matters]
injured areas] banker

designer carpenter
[person skilled
firefighter
at making things
TRADES with wood]
[skilled manual jobs
childminder requiring on-the-job plumber
[person looking after others’ and other training] [person who works
children in her own home while with the supply and
their parents are at work] connection of water pipes]

C Collocations of words connected with work

It’s not easy to get/find work round these parts. I’ve been offered work / a job in Paris.
What d’you do for a living? I’m in publishing/banking, etc.
It’s hard to make a living as a freelance writer. [earn enough money to live comfortably]
She’s not prepared to take on that job. [suggests ‘having personal responsibility’]

hours of work to do shiftwork or to work shifts [nights one week, days the next week]
to be on flexi-time [flexible working hours] to work nine-to-five [regular day work]
not working to go/be on strike [industrial dispute] to get the sack [thrown out of your job]
to be fired (more formal than ‘get the sack’; often used in direct speech: ‘You’re fired!’)
to be made redundant [thrown out, no longer needed] to be laid off (more informal
than ‘made redundant’) to be on / take maternity (woman) or paternity (man) leave
[before/after the birth of a baby] to be on / take sick leave [illness] to take early
retirement [retire at 55]
other useful to be a workaholic [love work too much] to be promoted [get a higher position]
expressions to apply for a job [fill in forms, etc.]

38 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises
16.1 Which of the job titles in A opposite would best describe the following?
1 The person who represents the workers’ interests in disputes with the management in a factory.
union representative
2 A person who has a high position in a company and whose job it is to make important
decisions.
3 An important person in a company who sits on the board.
4 A worker whose job requires no special training, for example, an office cleaner.
5 A person generally in charge of the day-to-day organisation of a company/department.
6 A person whose job it is to keep an eye on the day-to-day work of other workers.
16.2 Choose job or work to complete these sentences.
1 I’ll pay for the plumbing work when it’s finished.
2 I’d like to apply for a in your office.
3 You should delegate more to your personal assistant.
4 Let’s stop for a coffee on our way home from .
5 A in a museum wouldn’t be as tiring as one in a restaurant.
16.3 Using the expressions in C opposite, say what you think has happened / is happening.
1 I’m not working now; the baby’s due in three weeks. She’s on maternity leave.
2 He’s enjoying life on a pension, although he’s only 58.
3 One week it’s six-to-two, the next it’s nights.
4 They’ve made her General Manager as from next month!
5 I was late so often, I lost my job.
6 I get in at nine o’clock and go home at five.
7 Your trouble is you are obsessed with work!
16.4 Which jobs do these people have? Would you call the following a trade, a profession or an
unskilled job?

1 physiotherapist -profession 2 3

4 5 6
16.5 Fill in the collocations.

I’d love to 1 get/ have a job in journalism, but it’s not easy without qualifications. Since
I have to earn a 2 somehow, I’ll have to get 3 wherever I can find it.
I’ve been 4 some part-time work editing a new book, but I’m not sure I want to
5
it .

16.6 Over to you

Think of five people you know who work for a living. Can you name their jobs in English? If you
can’t, look them up in a good bilingual dictionary.

English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate 39