English education vocabulary

Mastering vocabulary about the education system will come in really handy. Not only is it a favourite topic in official exams (for speaking or writing), but it will also help you understand TV shows, films, or chat with any native speaker about their school days.

Let’s ditch the boring outlines and dive straight into the language naturally, with real examples, useful tables, and the odd interesting fact. Let’s get started!

---

The stages of education

The education system in English-speaking countries (such as the United Kingdom or the United States) is a little different from ours, but the main stages will feel very familiar. Here’s what they’re called and how to use them in a sentence:

Nursery school / Kindergarten

This is nursery or early childhood education (from 0 to 5 years old). Kindergarten is more common in the US, while Nursery is typically British.

Example:
“My little sister is four years old, so she still goes to nursery school.” (Mi hermana pequeña tiene cuatro años, así que todavía va a la guardería).

Primary school / Elementary school

Primary education (from 5 to 11 years old).

Example:
“In the UK, children start primary school when they are five.” (En el Reino Unido, los niños empiezan la escuela primaria a los cinco años).

Secondary school / High school: Secondary education. High school is the go-to term in the United States. Example: “I met my best friend when we were at high school.” (Conocí a mi mejor amigo cuando estábamos en el instituto).

Higher education / University (or College): Higher education.

A quick note: in the US, people usually say “college” to refer to university in general, while in the UK they prefer “university” (or affectionately, “uni”).

Example:
“She wants to study medicine at university next year.” (Ella quiere estudiar medicina en la universidad el año que viene).

---

In the classroom: subjects and key verbs

To talk about what you do in class, you need to master certain verbs that can sometimes be confusing. For example, did you know that in English you don’t “do” an exam, you “take” or “sit” one? Take a look at this table to clear things up:

Verb / Expression	Meaning	Example in English
To take / sit an exam	To take an exam	“I have to take a math exam tomorrow.”
To pass an exam	To pass an exam	“If you study hard, you will pass.”
To fail an exam	To fail an exam	“He failed history because he didn’t study.”
To skip/cut class	To skip class / Play truant	“They decided to skip class to go to the park.”
To hand in (homework)	To hand in homework	“Please, hand in your essays by Friday.”

“Learn” or “Study”?

Although they may seem the same, study is the process (spending time with books and putting in the effort), while learn is the result (acquiring the knowledge and actually knowing it).

Correct: “I am studying English because I want to learn it.” (Estoy estudiando inglés porque quiero aprenderlo).

---

Vocabulary

If you want your B1 examiner to smile from ear to ear, add these words to your everyday vocabulary:

Subject: A school subject. (For example: Science, History, Geography, Art).

Grades / Marks: Academic results. In the US, letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) are commonly used and called grades. In the UK, marks is more common (and they may also be numerical).

Degree: A university qualification or degree. Don’t say “career” (that means your professional career). Example: “I have a degree in Chemistry.” (Tengo una carrera/título en Química).

Scholarship: Financial aid awarded to study (usually based on academic merit). Example: “She won a scholarship to study in New York.” (Ella ganó una beca para estudiar en Nueva York).

Tuition fees: University fees or tuition costs. Example: “Tuition fees are very high in the United States.” (Las tasas universitarias son muy altas en los Estados Unidos).

---

Idioms about education

Native speakers love idioms (set expressions). Using one of these in conversation will earn you plenty of points:

To pass with flying colors: To pass with distinction or achieve excellent results.

Example:
“She was nervous, but she passed her driving test with flying colors.” (Estaba nerviosa, pero aprobó el examen de conducir con nota).

To hit the books: To study hard or buckle down to studying.

Example:
“I can’t go to the cinema tonight, I need to hit the books.” (No puedo ir al cine esta noche, tengo que hincar el codo).

Teacher’s pet: The teacher’s favourite student.

Example:
“Tim always cleans the blackboard; he is the teacher’s pet.” (Tim siempre limpia la pizarra; es el ojito derecho del profesor).

A piece of cake: Something that is very easy.

Example:
“Don’t worry about the English quiz, it’s a piece of cake.” (No te preocupes por el test de inglés, está chupado).

Resources

English education exercises