Education vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
- 19 words
- Band 6 to 9
- Every word and sentence read aloud
Study all 19 words
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curriculum
/kəˈrɪkjələm/nounB2
The subjects and content that make up a course of study at a school or university.
Every subject on the shelf, in order: a curriculum is the whole course of study a school plans.
Remember it: From Latin for “course” or “race,” curriculum is the course of subjects a student follows.
- “The national curriculum places a strong emphasis on numeracy and literacy.”
- “Schools now have more freedom to design their own curriculum.”
Similar: syllabus, programme of study, course content
A Band 6 word. Try it in a phrase: “a broad and balanced curriculum”.
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Education
19 words
Education
19 words
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19 words
Band 6curriculumkəˈrɪkjələmnounThe subjects and content that make up a course of study at a school or university.
Every subject on the shelf, in order: a curriculum is the whole course of study a school plans. The subjects and content that make up a course of study at a school or university.
The national curriculum places a strong emphasis on numeracy and literacy.
Schools now have more freedom to design their own curriculum.
Remember it
From Latin for “course” or “race,” curriculum is the course of subjects a student follows.
Goes with
Words that go with curriculum: national curriculum; core curriculum; design a curriculum; curriculum content; a broad and balanced curriculum; part of the curriculum. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- syllabusprogramme of studycourse content
Word family
The curriculum family: curriculum (noun), curricular (adjective). 
Band 6enrolɪnˈrəʊlverbTo officially register as a member or student of a course or institution.
A new card and a signed form: you enrol when you officially join a course. To officially register as a member or student of a course or institution.
Thousands of students enrol on the course each year.
You need to enrol before the start of term.
Watch out
enrol a courseenrol on a courseEnrol takes 'on' or 'in', not a direct object in this meaning.
Goes with
Words that go with enrol: enrol on a course; enrol at a university; enrol students; enrol in a programme. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- registersign upjoin
- Opposite
- withdrawdrop out
Word family
The enrol family: enrol (verb), enrolment (noun). 
Band 6literacyˈlɪtərəsinounThe ability to read and write; competence in a specified area.
A pencil to write, a book to read: literacy is the ability to read and write. The ability to read and write; competence in a specified area.
Adult literacy programmes have reached thousands of learners.
Digital literacy is now as important as traditional literacy.
Remember it
Literacy connects to Latin littera, “letter,” helping you remember reading and writing.
Goes with
Words that go with literacy: adult literacy; digital literacy; financial literacy; literacy rate; improve literacy levels. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- reading abilitycompetence
- Opposite
- illiteracy
Word family
The literacy family: literacy (noun), literate (adjective), illiterate (adjective), illiteracy (noun). 
Band 6scholarshipˈskɒləʃɪpnounA grant of financial support awarded to a student on the basis of achievement.
A sealed award on top of the books: a scholarship pays for your studies because you earned it. A grant of financial support awarded to a student on the basis of achievement.
She won a full scholarship to study abroad.
The university offers scholarships to students from low-income backgrounds.
Watch out
get scholarshipget a scholarshipA singular countable scholarship needs an article.
Goes with
Words that go with scholarship: win a scholarship; award a scholarship; merit-based scholarship; on a scholarship. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- grantbursaryawardfellowship
Word family
The scholarship family: scholarship (noun), scholar (noun), scholarly (adjective). 
Band 6tuitiontjuˈɪʃnnounTeaching or instruction, especially of an individual or small group; also the fee paid for it.
One desk, two chairs, one book: tuition is teaching given to one learner or a small group. Teaching or instruction, especially of an individual or small group; also the fee paid for it.
Many families pay for private tuition before major exams.
Rising tuition fees have deterred some students from university.
Watch out
a tuitiontuitionTuition is usually uncountable when it means teaching.
Goes with
Words that go with tuition: private tuition; tuition fees; one-to-one tuition; cover the cost of tuition. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- instructionteachingcoaching
Word family
The tuition family: tuition (noun), tutor (noun), tutorial (noun). 
Band 7aptitudeˈæptɪtjuːdnounA natural ability or talent for doing something.
One seedling racing ahead of the rest: an aptitude is a natural talent for something. A natural ability or talent for doing something.
He showed a real aptitude for languages from an early age.
The test measures aptitude rather than acquired knowledge.
Remember it
Aptitude contains apt, meaning naturally suitable or fitted for something.
Watch out
aptitude of doing somethingaptitude for doing somethingAptitude takes 'for'.
Goes with
Words that go with aptitude: natural aptitude; aptitude test; aptitude for something; have an aptitude for. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- talentflairknackgift
- Opposite
- inabilityineptitude
Word family
The aptitude family: aptitude (noun), apt (adjective), aptly (adverb). 
Band 7broaden your horizonsˈbrɔːdn jɔː həˈraɪznzidiomTo increase the range of your knowledge, experience, or interests.
The view keeps widening: learning and travel broaden your horizons. To increase the range of your knowledge, experience, or interests.
Studying abroad really broadened my horizons.
Reading widely is a great way to broaden your horizons.
Watch out
broaden the horizonbroaden your horizonsThe established idiom normally uses plural 'horizons' and a possessive.
Goes with
Words that go with broaden your horizons: broaden your horizons; broaden your mind; broaden your horizons. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- expand your outlookwiden your experience
- Opposite
- narrow your outlook
Band 7intellectualˌɪntəˈlektʃuəladjectiveRelating to the ability to think and understand ideas at a high level.
A room built for ideas: intellectual means to do with thinking and understanding at a high level. Relating to the ability to think and understand ideas at a high level.
University should offer genuine intellectual challenge.
Reading widely stimulates intellectual curiosity.
Goes with
Words that go with intellectual: intellectual curiosity; intellectual challenge; intellectual property; intellectually demanding. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- cerebralacademicscholarly
- Opposite
- unintellectual
Word family
The intellectual family: intellectual (adjective), intellect (noun), intellectually (adverb). 
Band 7proficientprəˈfɪʃntadjectiveCompetent or skilled in doing or using something.
Perfectly even slices: a proficient cook has the skill to do it well. Competent or skilled in doing or using something.
She is proficient in three languages.
Employers expect graduates to be proficient with common software.
Remember it
From Latin proficere, “to advance,” proficient people have advanced skill in something.
Watch out
proficient at Englishproficient in EnglishFor a language or subject, use 'in'.
Goes with
Words that go with proficient: proficient in; highly proficient; become proficient; reach a proficient level. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- skilledadeptcompetentaccomplished
- Opposite
- incompetentineptunskilled
Word family
The proficient family: proficient (adjective), proficiency (noun), proficiently (adverb). 
Band 7rote learningˌrəʊt ˈlɜːnɪŋnounMemorising information through repetition rather than by understanding it.
The same card, the same beat, again and again: rote learning is memorising by repetition, not understanding. Memorising information through repetition rather than by understanding it.
Critics argue that rote learning does little to develop critical thinking.
Too much of the exam relied on rote learning of dates and formulas.
Remember it
A 'rote' is a fixed route you repeat over and over, same path, no thinking.
Goes with
Words that go with rote learning: rely on rote learning; rote memorisation; rote-learn facts; learn something by rote. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- memorisationlearning by heartmechanical learning
- Opposite
- active learninglearning through understanding
Band 7vocationalvəʊˈkeɪʃənladjectiveRelating to training that prepares people for a specific trade or occupation.
The tools of one trade: vocational training prepares you for a particular job. Relating to training that prepares people for a specific trade or occupation.
Vocational courses give students practical, job-ready skills.
There is growing demand for vocational training in the trades.
Remember it
From Latin vocare, “to call,” vocational training prepares you for your calling or occupation.
Goes with
Words that go with vocational: vocational training; vocational qualification; vocational course; a vocational route into work. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- occupationalcareer-focusedpractical
- Opposite
- academictheoretical
Word family
The vocational family: vocational (adjective), vocation (noun), vocationally (adverb). 
Band 7well-roundedˌwel ˈraʊndɪdadjectiveHaving a broad range of knowledge, skills, or experience.
Books, art, sport and music together: a well-rounded person has a broad mix of skills. Having a broad range of knowledge, skills, or experience.
Extracurricular activities help produce well-rounded students.
Employers value a well-rounded candidate.
Goes with
Words that go with well-rounded: well-rounded education; well-rounded individual; a well-rounded person. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- all-roundversatilebalanced
- Opposite
- one-dimensionalnarrow
Band 8cognitiveˈkɒɡnətɪvadjectiveRelating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding.
A puzzle being worked out: cognitive means to do with thinking, learning and understanding. Relating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding.
Early education supports children's cognitive development.
Sleep has a measurable effect on cognitive performance.
Remember it
From Latin cognoscere, “to know,” cognitive concerns knowing, thinking, and understanding.
Goes with
Words that go with cognitive: cognitive development; cognitive ability; cognitive skills; cognitive load. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- mentalintellectual
Word family
The cognitive family: cognitive (adjective), cognition (noun), cognitively (adverb). 
Band 8conducivekənˈdjuːsɪvadjectiveMaking a particular situation or outcome likely or possible.
Light, quiet and order: a desk like this is conducive to study, it makes good work likely. Making a particular situation or outcome likely or possible.
A quiet room is more conducive to studying.
The policy created an environment conducive to innovation.
Remember it
'Conduct' good conditions → they lead to (are conducive to) a good result.
Watch out
conducive for learningconducive to learningConducive takes 'to'.
Goes with
Words that go with conducive: conducive to learning; conducive environment; conducive to growth; conducive to something. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- favourablehelpfulbeneficial
- Opposite
- detrimentalunfavourable
Band 8holistichəˈlɪstɪkadjectiveDealing with the whole of something rather than its individual parts.
Every piece makes one picture: a holistic approach looks at the whole, not just the parts. Dealing with the whole of something rather than its individual parts.
The school takes a holistic approach to a child's development.
Good healthcare should be holistic, not just treat symptoms.
Remember it
Greek holos means “whole,” so holistic approaches consider the complete person or system.
Watch out
holisticlyholisticallyThe adverb is spelled with '-ally'.
Goes with
Words that go with holistic: holistic approach; holistic education; holistic development; look at the bigger picture. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- comprehensiveall-roundintegrated
- Opposite
- narrowfragmented
Word family
The holistic family: holistic (adjective), holism (noun), holistically (adverb). 
Band 8immerseɪˈmɜːsverbTo involve yourself deeply in an activity or environment.
Right under the surface: to immerse yourself in something is to get deeply involved in it. To involve yourself deeply in an activity or environment.
Travelling lets you immerse yourself in a new culture.
She immersed herself in the local language.
Remember it
From Latin immergere, “plunge into,” immerse means become deeply involved, as if submerged in an experience.
Watch out
immerse yourself into a cultureimmerse yourself in a cultureImmerse takes 'in'.
Goes with
Words that go with immerse: immerse yourself in; fully immerse; immersive experience; immerse yourself in the culture. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- absorbengrosssteep
- Opposite
- detach
Word family
The immerse family: immerse (verb), immersion (noun), immersive (adjective). 
Band 8meticulousməˈtɪkjələsadjectiveShowing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Every tiny part in its exact place: a meticulous person is extremely careful with detail. Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Her meticulous notes made revision much easier.
The project required meticulous planning.
Watch out
meticulous on detailsmeticulous about detailsMeticulous usually takes 'about'.
Goes with
Words that go with meticulous: meticulous attention to detail; meticulous planning; meticulously researched; meticulous about something. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- thoroughpainstakingscrupulous
- Opposite
- carelesssloppyslapdash
Word family
The meticulous family: meticulous (adjective), meticulously (adverb), meticulousness (noun). 
Band 8pedagogyˈpedəɡɒdʒinounThe method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject.
A room arranged for how the lesson will be taught: pedagogy is the method and craft of teaching. The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject.
Digital tools are reshaping classroom pedagogy.
Her research focuses on inclusive pedagogy for mixed-ability groups.
Remember it
Greek paidagōgos meant “child-leader”: pedagogy is the practice of guiding children’s learning.
Watch out
pedagogy methodspedagogical methodsUse the adjective before a noun.
Goes with
Words that go with pedagogy: modern pedagogy; inclusive pedagogy; pedagogical approach; a shift in pedagogy. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- teaching methodinstructiondidactics
Word family
The pedagogy family: pedagogy (noun), pedagogical (adjective), pedagogically (adverb). 
Band 9disseminatedɪˈsemɪneɪtverbTo spread information or knowledge widely.
Seeds carried far and wide: to disseminate information is to spread it widely. To spread information or knowledge widely.
Universities disseminate research through journals and conferences.
The internet allows ideas to be disseminated instantly.
Remember it
From Latin semen, “seed,” disseminate means scattering ideas like seeds widely.
Watch out
disseminate informationsdisseminate informationInformation is uncountable.
Goes with
Words that go with disseminate: disseminate information; disseminate knowledge; disseminate findings; widely disseminated. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- distributecirculatebroadcastspread
- Opposite
- suppresswithhold
Word family
The disseminate family: disseminate (verb), dissemination (noun).