IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary

    curriculum

    nounkəˈrɪkjələmBand 6

    Last updated 2 September 2026

    In short

    “curriculum” is a Band 6 noun that means the subjects and content that make up a course of study at a school or university. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.

    Meaning

    The subjects and content that make up a course of study at a school or university.

    Example sentences

    • The national curriculum places a strong emphasis on numeracy and literacy.
    • Schools now have more freedom to design their own curriculum.

    Synonyms & antonyms

    Synonyms

    syllabusprogramme of studycourse content

    Collocations & common phrases

    Collocations

    national curriculumcore curriculumdesign a curriculumcurriculum content

    Common phrases

    a broad and balanced curriculumpart of the curriculum

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    Frequently asked questions

    What does “curriculum” mean?
    The subjects and content that make up a course of study at a school or university.
    How do you use “curriculum” in a sentence?
    For example: “The national curriculum places a strong emphasis on numeracy and literacy.”
    What are some synonyms for “curriculum”?
    Synonyms include syllabus, programme of study, course content.
    Is “curriculum” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
    Yes. It is Band 6 vocabulary, and collocations such as national curriculum, core curriculum, design a curriculum help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.

    Next step

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