education ielts vocabulary

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It’s very common for candidates to be asked about their school, college or university experience, so a good range of education vocabulary is something you definitely need to develop.

This page should make that easy for you as it contains over 150 everyday words and phrases related to study, education and teaching. For each, I’ve included an explanation and added a sample sentence to show it in context. This will help you to learn how to use it correctly.

Don’t try to learn them all. Look at my suggestions below as to the best way to use this extensive list of education vocabulary.

Here are some of the categories covered:

• Educational institutions
• Course types & levels
• Qualifications
• People in education
• Subjects & facilities
• Academic work

As well as your own experience of education, you could be asked your opinion on wider issues such as the quality of teaching or education system in your country, equal opportunities, technology in schools and many other related topics. The list of education vocabulary will equip you to create answers for these types of subjects as well.

Also on this page are three other things that will help you prepare for questions about education:

• IELTS-style questions on the topic of education
• Sample answers
• Links to online reading & listening resources

You’ll find PDF downloads of both the questions and sample answers and the education vocabulary list at the bottom of the respective sections.

The questions relate to the Speaking test because this part of the exam offers the broadest range of possible questions on the topic of education. They give the best opportunity for me to demonstrate the vocabulary and for you to practise using it.

I’ve included IELTS-style questions and answers for all three parts of the Speaking test. I've highlighted key words and phrases in  bold .

You'll find these words and phrases, and many others, in the vocabulary list beneath. There’s an audio to listen to their pronunciation.

The education vocabulary list contains words and phrases relevant to all parts of the IELTS exam.

Finally, at the bottom of the page I've added links to topical articles, short videos and podcasts that will help you to improve both your education vocabulary and your reading and listening skills.

Let’s begin with the sample questions.

IELTS-Style Speaking Test Questions and Answers

Common education vocabulary is highlighted in  bold .

1) At what age do children begin school in your country?

Formal education starts at five years of age but most children go to preschool when they are around three. This isn’t compulsory but really helps them to develop socially.

2) What kind of school did you go to as a child?

My family moved around a lot when I was growing up so I went to many different schools including three primary schools , a grammar school and a co-educational comprehensive school . I even attended a private school for a year.

3) Did you enjoy your time at school?

I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed my early education . With changing schools so often, I was always the new kid which I found hard.

4) Would you say you were a good student?

Yes, I was definitely a good pupil . I was a quiet, shy child who never caused my teachers any trouble or played truant . I worked hard on my coursework and got on well with my peers .

5) Did you do any extra-curricular activities?

Back in my day, there weren’t many opportunities to do extra-curricular activities . However, I was in the school choir at my secondary school . We use to put on concerts and one year we did a tour of Germany.

Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school.

You should say:

• when and where you started studying it
• what lessons were like
• what made it different from other subjects

and explain why you enjoyed the subject.

There There were three subjects I particularly enjoyed at school, English , geography and P.E. but if I had to choose a favourite, I guess it would be geography .

I suppose you start learning about the natural features around you and other countries in primary school but geography first appeared on the curriculum as a specific subject in secondary school . I’d been fascinated with other places and cultures for as long as I could remember. My dad had travelled a lot and had a large map on the wall with pins in all the countries he’d been to. I loved looking at it so perhaps that’s where my interest in geography first started.

The geography classroom was great; full of globes, atlases and books about places that were very different to where I lived. We had a nice teacher called Mrs Rose who used lots of pictures and maps in her lessons . This was perfect for me as I’m a visual learner. If Mrs Rose had just talked all the time, as some of our teachers did, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the subject so much or learnt so easily.

I even liked doing geography homework . I can remember sitting at my desk at home spending hours carefully drawing maps and adding all the features. When my mum took me to the library on a Saturday morning, I’d look for adventure stories set around the world or books on how people live in other countries.

When I reached the sixth form and had to choose just three subjects to study, geography was one of them, although I actually failed my final exam. My family moved house yet again just before I took it and I was very unsettled. I had a private tutor for a few months then retook the exam and got a good grade.

At university ,  I trained as a  teacher myself. I chose primary education so taught geography along with many other subjects. However, during one of my training placements, the headteacher asked me to spend three weeks teaching the subject to every class in the small village school, from 5 year olds up to 11 year olds. It was one of the happiest times in the whole of my career even though I hadn’t even got my teaching qualification yet.

1) What impact do universities have on the places where they’re located?

I believe that the presence of a university in a town or city has a significant positive impact on the area. For a start, it's often the largest employer, offering jobs at all levels from cleaners and maintenance staff to lecturers and top academics .

Large educational institutions like this bring in lots of investment from around the world from foreign students and for important research projects. The presence of thousands of students during term times is also a massive boost to the local economy.

In addition to the financial benefits, there several ways in which universities contribute socially. For example, university towns and cities tend to be vibrant, with a great social life due to the large numbers of young adults living there. What’s more, the campus itself usually has a number of facilities that can be used by local people. A university city I used to live in had an excellent theatre that attracted top plays, shows and performers from around the country.

2) What is it more important for academics to do, research or teaching?

It was only recently, after reading an article about a local university , that I realised just how much research goes on in them. It was about a new facility in the medical faculty and outlined the important research they will now be able to carry out on stem cells and brain tumours. This type of work is vital if we are to combat illness and disease in the future.

For most people though, universities are places of learning where you go to get your degree and prepare for your future career, so teaching must have a high priority. As teachers , academics have the role of passing on knowledge to the next generation.

Weighing it up, I think that the teaching side of their work is the most important because unless they instruct and inspire their students , there will be no-one to fill the most important jobs in society or to carry on the research work the academics do.

3) What are the advantages of studying a distance learning course?

For many people, especially mature students who work, distance learning is the ideal way to study. There are several benefits that immediately come to mind. Firstly, the cost is far less than it would be to attend a college or university with their high tuition fees .

Secondly, you can study anywhere and in your own time and at your own pace. Some students , myself included, find that this method of learning suits them better than sitting in lectures or going to tutorials . You do have to be self-motivated to keep up with the coursework though, and you still get assignments to write and sometimes a dissertation , but you can fit these around your daily life.

Thirdly, there’s a huge range of correspondence courses and online courses available these days so you can take almost any subject you want to and even study for a degree qualification this way. So all in all, distance learning courses have many advantages over other methods of study.

Click this link to get a PDF download of these practise questions & sample answers.

Download PDF Now

*  Important

• Do  not  try and learn this list of education vocabulary.
• Identify the vocabulary you find useful for answering practise questions about this topic.
• Record it in your vocabulary notebook and practise using it regularly.

I recommend that you create your own answers to the Speaking questions on this page. You will find many other IELTS-style practise questions by searching online. 

For help on how to learn vocabulary, what to learn and how to record it, visit these pages:

How to Learn Vocabulary for IELTS

Top 6 Types of IELTS Vocabulary & Topic Word Lists

Education Vocabulary  –  Common Words & Phrases

Education Vocabulary Set 1: Key Definitions

education – the process of teaching or learning, especially in a school, college or university, or the knowledge that you get from this

- Education is a low priority for the governments of some developing countries.

- Most children receive their education in schools but some are taught at home.

to educate – to give someone intellectual, moral or social instruction, typically at a school, college or university

- At the school I visited in Kenya the children are educated in classes of over 60 pupils.

educational – relating to the provision of education

- When I was at school we had an educational visit to the British Museum in London to see Tutankhamun’s treasures.

educational institution – a place where people gain an education, such as a school

- We are fortunate to have many excellent educational institutions in our area.

formal education – education  normally delivered by trained teachers in a systematic way in a school, college or university.

- In Norway, formal education starts when children reach the age of six.

compulsory education – the legally-required period of time that children are expected to attend school. In the western world, these laws generally require that children attend school from the ages of 5 to 16 or 18.

- One day, a formal education will hopefully be compulsory for all children.

Education Vocabulary Pronunciation

Education Vocabulary Set 2: Educational institutions

preschool – a school for children who are too young to begin their formal education

- Most children in the UK go to a preschool but it isn’t compulsory.

nursery school (UK)/ kindergarten (US) – preschool education

- In the UK, most children begin nursery school at the age of four.

primary school (UK)/ elementary school (US) – the type of school for children ages 5-11

- Bindi was so excited about starting primary school when the new term started in September.

primary education – the education of 5-11 year olds

- In an ideal world, primary education would be compulsory in every country.

secondary school (UK)/ high school (US)  – the type of school for children age 11 to 16, sometimes 18

- I want to teach in a secondary school when I finish my teacher training as I really enjoy working with older pupils.

co-educational/mixed – a school where girls and boys are taught together.

- These days, most schools in the UK are co-educational .

single-sex school – a school for either male or female students but not both

- Both my parents went to single-sex schools but it’s more normal these days to go to a mixed school.

state school – a school that is funded and controlled by the government and for which no fees are charged

- The government is facing growing criticism for the underfunding of state schools .

comprehensive school – a state school that accepts pupils regardless of their level of academic ability or achievement

- There is an ongoing debate as to whether all young people should attend comprehensive schools or if schools that select pupils on academic ability are still relevant.

grammar school (UK) – state secondary  school  that selects their pupils by means of an examination taken by children at age 11

- Although many people are against selective education where some school places go to the most academically able pupils, grammar schools are still popular.

private school – a school that is not supported by government money, where education must be paid for by the children’s parents

- Jonah’s parents decided to pay for him to go to a private school because most classes only had 20 pupils in.

private education – education parents have to pay for

- Only a small percentage of parents can afford to give their children a private education .

public school (UK) – an exclusive, expensive school, run independently

public school (US) – a school which is free and paid for by the government

higher education (also called tertiary education ) – education beyond the age at which it is compulsory, usually in a college or university

- Most of Vijay’s friends wanted to leave school and get a job as soon as possible but he was determined to go on to higher education to improve his career prospects.

boarding school – a school where students live and study during the school term.

- Yu Yang hated boarding school as she missed her family and felt very homesick.

college – a place of higher education where people study specialized subjects or undertake vocational training for a skilled job

- Hugo applied for a place at the local college to train to be a chef.

university – a high-level educational institution where students study for degrees and academic research is done.

- Fuyuko wanted to study nursing at university in Australia but had to get a band 7 in her IELTS exam to be accepted.

Education  Vocabulary Pronunciation

Education Vocabulary Set 3: Course types & levels

course – a series of lessons in a particular subject

undergraduate – studying for a degree but having not yet achieved it.

postgraduate – having achieved a degree and now studying for a higher qualification, possibly a professions qualification

vocational – education or training directed at a particular occupation and its skills, often requiring practical skills

intensive – fast-paced courses which give a lot of information quickly and in a short time

Education Vocabulary Set 4:  Qualifications

qualification – an official record showing that you have achieved a certain level of education or skill in a particular subject or skill area

- Riya was determined to leave school with good qualifications so she could get a well-paid job to support her family.

certificate – an official record of achievement, generally issued for a short course

- Shona was delighted to be presented her TEFL certificate on passing her course to become an English teacher.

diploma – issued for a higher education course that is shorter than a degree

- Greg did so well in his two-year engineering diploma that his tutor persuaded him to study for another year to qualify for a degree.

bachelor’s degree / or just degree ( BA/BSc etc) – qualification issued by a university or college at the end of three or four years of study

- I’m studying for a bachelor’s degree in marine biology.

- I’m studying for a BA in history.

master’s degree /or just master’s ( MA/MSc etc) – qualification issued by a university when the student has completed further study beyond a degree, often in a more specialisn'ted field than a bachelor’s degree

- Alonso wanted to stay on at university an extra year to study for his master’s but his parents couldn't afford the fees.

doctorate ( PhD ) – the highest level of degree qualification issued by a university

- I’m so proud of my sister for achieving a PhD in biochemistry.

fellowship – a teaching or research post given to a person studying for an advanced degree.

- Being awarded a research fellowship at my university is a dream come true as it enables me to stay on and study for my doctorate.

Education vocabulary Pronunciation

Education Vocabulary Set 5:  People in education

headteacher/ principal  – the person in charge of a school

- Our headteacher had been principal for 12 years when he retired.

teacher – a person who teaches, especially in a school

- My favourite teacher at school was Mr Webber because he made lessons so interesting.

tutor – a teacher who works privately with one student or a small group

- Our son struggles with maths so we’ve got him a private tutor to help him with his work.

lecturer – a person who teaches at a college or university.

- My cousin is a lecturer in physics at the University of London.

professor – a teacher of the highest rank in a department of a British university, or a teacher of high rank in an American university or college

-  Professor Stephen Hawking  was one of the most influential figures in modern science.

an academic – a person who teaches in a college or university and continues to research and increase knowledge about their specialist subject

- She was such a bookworm at school and always in the library researching some topic or other, so it’s no surprise that she became an academic .

pupil – a person, usually a child at school, who is being taught

- The pupils loved Miss Lefebvre’s French lessons as she gave them fun learning games to play.

student – a person, usually a college or university, who is being taught

- The beginning of the academic year was so busy with all the new students starting their college courses.

mature student – an adult student who attends college or university some years after leaving school

- Jose was so grateful for the chance to study for a degree as a mature student having left school with very few qualifications.

a graduate – a person who has finished their college or university education

- University graduates can usually get higher paid jobs than people with vocational skills.

peer – a person who is in the same class, age group or social group as someone else

Pupils these days are under a lot of pressure to dress and behave like their peers .

Education Vocabulary Set 6: School subjects

curriculum – the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college

- Her parents chose the school because it offered a broad curriculum including drama and dance which were her favourite subjects.

syllabus – an outline or summary of the subjects to be covered in a course

- The new syllabus included environmental science which was becoming more popular as a school subject.

maths/math/mathematics – the study of numbers, shapes and space

literature – the study of written works (such as poems, plays, and novels) that are considered to be very good and to have lasting importance

the three R's – the basic educational skills of r eading, w r iting and a r ithmetic (maths)

- Most schools put a high priority on teaching the three R's .

language – a system of communication used by a particular country or community often studied as a subject by non-native speakers

- To her surprise, Jenna found that she was quite good at languages at school.

humanities – studies about human culture, such as literature, languages, philosophy, and history.

- Tuma couldn’t decide whether to study history or philosophy at university so opted for a degree in humanities .

science – the study of the structure and behaviour of the physical world, divided into subjects such as physics, biology and chemistry

• physics – the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy
• biology – the study of living organisms
• chemistry – the branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed

geography  – the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these

religious studies  – the study of religion and belief systems

history  – the study of past events, particularly in human affairs

information technology  (IT or ICT)  –   the study of the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for the processing and distribution of data

physical education  (PE)  – instruction in physical exercise and games, especially in schools

art  – the study of artistic techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture, etc. or the appreciation of works of art

music  – the study of how to play a musical instrument or sing, how to read music, how to compose music, etc

drama   – the study of acting and theatrical performance

home economics  –   cooking and other aspects of household management, especially as taught at school

Education Vocabulary Set 7: School vocabulary

to play truant – to be absent without permission from parents or teachers

- Helios was always playing truant from school which he regretted when he failed his exams and struggled to find a good job.

to skip classes – to be absent from lessons you are supposed to attend

- I was never brave enough to skip classes as my parents would have been furious if they’d found out.

bookworm – a person who loves reading and/or studying

- My best friend is a real bookworm but is a great person to have on your quiz team because his general knowledge is excellent.

rote learning – a teaching style based on learning by memorisation through repetition

- My parents’ education was based on rote learning but there was more emphasis on learning by investigation by the time I went to school.

literacy – the ability to read and write, sometimes use as a subject title for reading and writing

- Afghanistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world with just 28% of people able to read and write.

literate – to be able to read and write

- In the past 20 years, the proportion of adults in the world who are literate has increased from 75% to 84 % which is a great improvement.

illiterate –  to be unable to read and write

- There are many children in the poorest countries of the world who have little or no access to education and are  illiterate .

remedial – involving pupils who need extra help with a particular area of study or subject

- Pupils who got poor grades use to be put in a remedial class but now they are given extra support from a learning assistant.

additional needs/ special needs  – related to students who need special help due to a learning or physical difficulty

- Shona spend the later part of her teaching career working in a school for students with additional needs .

extra-curricular activities – activities or subjects offered in addition to the normal curriculum usually offered outside normal class hours, such as art, cooking or computer clubs and extra sporting activities

- The most popular extra-curricular activities at Westcroft School were pottery, badminton and computer programming.

school uniform – a particular set of clothes that has to be worn by pupils

- Do Hyan looked so smarting setting off for school on his first day wearing his new school uniform .

discipline – a set of rules governing conduct or behaviour

- Schools where a high level of discipline is maintained, generally have above average exam results

• impose discipline
• maintain discipline
• lack of discipline

timetable – a chart showing times of particular events, such as lesson times in the school day

- Ruby wasn’t very happy with her new timetable as she had double maths followed by double science on a Monday, both subjects she found hard.

Education Vocabulary Set  8:  Facilities

classroom – where lessons take place in a school

- The noisy classroom fell silent when the headteacher walked through the door.

lecture  theatre/ hall  – a room or hall for lectures with seats in tiers

- There was excitement in the lecture theatre as the famous actor stood up to give the drama students a lecture on method acting.

studio – a room where students studying art, photography, media studies, etc. create work

- The studio was set up with recording equipment for the students to practice editing techniques.

library – a building or room containing collections of books, professional journals and other academic literature and material relevant to student's studies

- Sabiha spent all day in the university library doing research for her essay on globalisation.

laboratory – a room or building with scientific equipment for doing scientific tests or for teaching science

- Kate’s favourite part of her degree course in molecular biology was the laboratory work.

campus – the buildings and grounds of a university or college

- It took me a long time to find my way around the campus when I first started at university.

halls of residence – a college or university building where students live

- In his first year at college, Somchai lived in a hall of residence , but in his second year, he rented a house with some other students.

student accommodation – living accommodation for college or university students

- The university offered a range of student accommodation including studio apartments, flats, halls of residence and shared houses.

Education Vocabulary Set 9: Academic work 

assignment – a piece of work given to someone as part of their studies

- I have three more written assignments to complete this term.

coursework – written or practical work done by a student during a course of study, often assessed in order to count towards a final mark or grade

- Helga was really bad at exams so she chose a course where 50 per cent of the overall marks came from assessed coursework .

dissertation – is a long formal piece of writing on a particular subject, especially for a university degree.

- It was hard getting my dissertation finished by the deadline and I handed it in on the very last day.

thesis – a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher degree

- Adao wrote his PhD thesis on the effect of organic fertilizers on soil fertility in tropical climates.

presentation – a speech or talk given in front of an audience

- As part of their end of year assessment, the students had to give a presentation on the theories of learning for children under 3 years of age.

lecture – a formal talk on a subject given to a large group of students who would normally take notes

- She was so pleased that the lecture was cancelled as it gave her time to catch up on some coursework.

tuition – teaching or instruction, especially of individual pupils or small groups

- Dana was unable to get to lectures after breaking her leg but the college provided individual tuition for her until she recovered.

tutorial – a small group study session with a tutor often following a lecture

- He always found tutorials helpful as it was a chance to ask questions about what they’d heard in the lecture.

seminar – a class at university in which a specific topic is discussed by a teacher and a small group of students

- At university, I found seminars far more useful than lectures as I learn best in a small group.

lesson – a period of learning or teaching, usually in a school

- Walter was late for the history lesson and got into trouble with the teacher.

homework – additional coursework work given to pupils to complete in their own time outside school hours

- Most pupils hate homework as they’d rather be out with their friends or playing computer games than studying.

correspondence course – a course of study in which student and tutors communicate by post

- Juan’s local college didn’t offer a course in accountancy but he found a good correspondence course to give him the qualification he needed.

distance learning – a way of studying in which lectures are broadcast or lessons are conducted by post or via the internet without the student needing to attend a school or college or have in-person teacher interaction

- I prefer to study by distance learning as I can work when I want and at the pace I want.

online learning – Similar to distance learning but done 100% via the internet and often involving in-person interaction with a teacher online

- I find online learning ideal for preparing for my IELTS exam and enjoy connecting with my teacher via Skype.

to sit an exam – to take an exam.

- I want to carry on learning for the rest of my life but after I finish my training I hope I never have to sit an exam again.

Education Vocabulary Set 10: The cost of education

tuition fees – the money paid for a course of study, especially at a private school or a college or university

- High tuition fees mean that many young people can’t afford to go to university.

a grant – money given by the government to support a student while studying

- Bernice was successful in her application for a grant which meant that she could attend her local university.

a student loan – money which a student can borrow while they are studying, but which has to be repaid

- Geraint took out student loans of £9000 a year to pay for his tuition of fees and left university heavily in debt.

a scholarship – money given to someone, often by the institution they are studying at, to help pay for their tuition

- He was overjoyed to receive a scholarship to Oxford University as his parents couldn’t afford to pay the fees.

internship – a period of work experience (often unpaid) offered by an employer to give students and graduates experience of working in an industry related to their field of study

- All students on the course were expected to secure an internship during the long vacation between the second and third years of their degree course.

Education Vocabulary  Set 11: Common terms related to college or university

unconditional offer – the offer of a place at an educational institution for which you already meet the entry requirements

- Mustafa was delighted to receive an unconditional offer from his first choice university and accepted immediately.

conditional offer – the offer of a place at an educational institution which requires you to meet certain entry requirements, usually specific exam grades

- She was fairly confident that she would get the exam grades she needed to take up the conditional offer at Bristol University.

to major in – to choose as your main subject

- I want to major in primary education with a specialism in science.

to read (a subject) – to study a specific subject

- Hans read geology at university and is now working for an oil company in the States.

faculty – department in a university that specialises in a specific subject

- It was a proud day for the university when the faculty of science move into the new, state-of-the-art building.

research – a detailed study of a particular subject

- I’m really enjoying this research project on the migratory behaviour of the golden eagle.

• conduct research
• carry out research

Education Vocabulary Set 12:  More common words, phrases & expressions

to work your way through university – to have a paid job while studying to support yourself financially

- With the steep increase in tuition fees, many students are forced to work their way through university .

to keep up with your studies – to not fall behind with your work

- Giang would have to limit his time socializing with his friends if he was going to keep up with his studies .

to fall behind with your studies – to not get your coursework and assignments done in the time allowed

- She was a hard-working student but fell behind with her studies after catching pneumonia and having to spend time in hospital.

to learn something by heart – to memorise it

- By the end of his first week learning English, Elisha had learnt all the days of the weeks and months of the year by heart .

gap year – a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between school and university or college education

- Many students spend their gap year travelling to get more experience of life before they settle down to studying for a degree.

to take a year out – to take a gap year

- Before going to the university, I took a year out to travel and also earn some money.

to enrol – to officially register on a course at a college or university

- She didn’t know an old friend had enrolled on the same course until they met up on the first day.

sign up for – to commit to something for a specific period such as the duration of a course

- Having signed up for the photography course, she now had to ask her brother if she could borrow his camera.

to drop out –  to leave a course before completing it

- Hiran was forced to drop out of university when his father became ill and he had to take over the family business to support his family.

a dropout – a student who fails to complete a course of study and leaves the educational institution with no qualifications

- Many famous and very wealthy entrepreneurs are college dropouts , which proves that you don’t need a degree to succeed in life.

well-educated  – someone who has received a high level or good standard of education

- You could tell that he was  well-educated  by the way he spoke.

to meet a deadline  – to complete a piece of work by the required date

- I didn’t think I’d get my essay written in time but I just  met the deadline .

note-taking  – to take notes in a lesson or lecture when the teacher is talking

- I find  note-taking  in a lecture really difficult as I miss much of what is being said while I’m writing.

to revise  – study or read something again in order to remember it better, often before exams

- No matter how hard I  revise , my mind goes blank as soon as I get into the exam room.

to review  – to read over something again. Similar to revise, but generally done just after a lesson or lecture rather than in preparation for an exam

- Bella found that  reviewing  her notes just before going to sleep helped her to remember the key points.

workload  – the amount of work that has to be done

- The course  workload  felt overwhelming at first but became more manageable once the students had covered the theory and moved on to the more practical part of the course.

to pass with flying colours   –  to pass an exam or test easily and with excellent result

- He was sure he was going to fail his maths exam but  passed with flying colours .

scrape through  – to just pass an exam

- She ran out of time in the exam and left many questions unanswered but just  scraped through  with a pass mark.

to resit/retake an exam   – to take an exam again in order to get a better result

- Madee needed band 7 in her IELTS Speaking test but only got 6.5, so she had to  retake the exam .

Click this link to get a PDF download of this list of education vocabulary.

Other Useful Education Vocabulary

It’s also a good idea to create your own list of education vocabulary related to any courses you are currently taking so that you are ready to talk about them if asked.

Ways to Improve Your Education Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is through reading. Watching topic related YouTube videos and listening to podcasts is also hugely beneficial.

Here are some online resources I recommend.

Education Articles

BBC News – Education

The Independent

New York Times

The Conversation

I love TED Talks. They are short videos with a powerful message and are generally very interesting. They’re ideal for improving your vocabulary and give valuable listening skills practise.

Search  YouTube TED Talks - Education  to help you improve your education vocabulary.

All Topic Vocabulary

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Education Vocabulary for IELTS

 This is a list of useful Education vocabulary for IELTS.

Education is common topic in IELTS. This vocabulary will help you with all parts of the test if the topic arises.

As with the other vocabulary on these pages, although common word forms are given, not all word forms are here, so remember that once you understand the word you should study it further to make sure you understand exactly how it is used in different contexts.

You will see here:

• The word/phrase

At the bottom of the page you will find links to essays connected to education topics. 

List of IELTS Education Vocabulary

The action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place or event.

• Attendance is mandatory for all students during the school term.
• Regular attendance is important for academic success.

To behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want.

• He did really well in his exams but he cheated. He copied from a friend.
• Cheating on exams is not recommended.

Co-educational

When male and female students are taught together in the same school or college rather than separately

• I believe that co-educational schools prepare students for their future better than single-sex schools.
• Co-educational schools provide an inclusive environment where boys and girls learn together, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

Concentrate

To direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem.

• It is difficult to concentrate on my college work if there is a lot of noise.
• I keep losing concentration due to the noise.

Regular work done by students as part of a course, but assessed independently of formal exams.

• The coursework on my degree was really difficult.
• The coursework for my biology class includes conducting experiments, writing lab reports, and completing research assignments.

The group of subjects studied in a school, college, etc.

• Schools must ensure they have an excellent curriculum.
• The school's curriculum includes a diverse range of subjects such as mathematics, science, literature, and physical education to provide students with a well-rounded education.

Distance Learning

Education that takes place remotely, often utilizing online resources and communication technologies.

• Many universities offer distance learning programs for students who are unable to attend classes on campus.
• The pandemic led to a surge in popularity for distance learning platforms.

Extracurricular

Activities pursued by students outside the regular curriculum.

• I participate in several extracurricular activities like debate club and chess team.
• Extracurricular activities help students develop a well-rounded skill set.

To complete a first university degree successfully.

• I graduated from the University of Salford in 2009.
• My graduation ceremony was in 2009.

Higher (tertiary) Education

Non-compulsory education after finishing school, such as university, as well as vocational education and training at colleges.

• 60% of children now go into higher education after they finish school.
• After completing secondary school, many students choose to pursue tertiary education at universities or colleges to further their academic and career goals.

Tasks assigned by teachers to be completed outside of class.

• I have a lot of homework to do tonight, including a math worksheet and a history essay.
• Homework reinforces what we learn in class.

Unable to read and write.

• Many children in the poorest countries are illiterate.
• Due to the lack of access to education, many adults in the rural village remained illiterate, unable to read or write even basic texts.

The ability to read and write.

• Literacy rates have declined considerably in Western countries over the last decade.
• However, most children are literate.

The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

• Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic settings and can result in disciplinary action.
• The student was expelled for plagiarizing an entire research paper.

Primary Education/School (Elementary School)

First years of formal education from around age 5 to 11.

• A good primary education is crucial for a child's development.
• Elementary school teachers focus on building foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics to prepare young students for future academic success.

Qualification

An official record showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc.

• Good qualifications are really important if you want to get a well-paid job.
• I am qualified to teach English.

Secondary Education/School (High School: USA)

Education during the time as a teenager.

• I loved it at my secondary school as I had so many friends.
• In secondary school, students typically study a broader range of subjects in preparation for higher education or vocational training.

A division of the academic year, typically lasting several months, during which classes are held.

• We have finals at the end of each semester.
• The fall semester begins in September and ends in December.

A sum of money charged for teaching or instruction by a school, college, or university.

• The university increased tuition fees by 10% this year.
• Many students rely on scholarships to help cover their tuition costs.

Undergraduate

A student at a college or university who has not yet earned a bachelor's degree.

• I'm an undergraduate majoring in biology.
• Undergraduate students often take a variety of general education courses.

Virtual Classroom

An online learning environment where students and teachers interact in real-time.

• Due to the pandemic, we shifted to a virtual classroom for the remainder of the semester.
• The virtual classroom allows students to participate in discussions from anywhere with an internet connection.

A seminar or series of meetings for intensive study or training in a particular subject.

• I attended a writing workshop to improve my essay skills.
• The workshop on time management was very informative.

View model essays that include IELTS education vocabulary:

University Education Essay

Free University Education Essay

Paying Attention in Class Essay

Examinations or Formal Assessment Essay

More Topic Related Vocabulary:

Science Vocabulary for IELTS

Science vocabulary to improve your score for the IELTS test. Learn words that can be used in the test, with examples and definitions.

Information Technology Vocabulary for IELTS

Learn information technology vocabulary, which provides you with a new word, a definition, and then the word in context.

Health Vocabulary

This health vocabulary includes useful words to talk and write about health, ftiness and food

Children and the Family Vocabulary

Children and the Family Vocabulary for IELTS - essential vocabulary to help to improve your score for IELTS

The Arts Vocabulary

Learn about the Arts vocabulary to help you in the IELTS test for speaking, writing, reading and listening.

Work Vocabulary for IELTS

Work vocabulary to improve your IELTS score. The words are related to the topics of jobs, careers and occupations.

Environment Vocabulary for IELTS

Environment vocabulary words and definitions that you can learn in order to increase your score for the IELTS test.

Crime Vocabulary for IELTS

Crime vocabulary to help you with IELTS essays and speaking. Common Crime Words.

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IELTS Vocabulary – Education

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Education and schools is a common topic of discussion both in general life and in the IELTS test. This article provides you with the required vocabulary for the IELTS exam. This section is focused on the words related to education, schools, and studying. The IELTS vocabulary is divided into different sections and there are exercises for you to practice what you have learnt.

1. School Subjects

The vocabulary given below is applicable in both writing and speaking sections.

You may be asked speaking cue-card, such as what was your favorite subject at school?

Similarly, the essay topic could be – Some people believe schools should teach science and mathematics only. Do you agree or disagree?

• mathematics / math’s (UK) / math (USA)
• physical education (PE)
• IT ( Information technology)

** School subjects are not capitalised unless they are proper nouns such as languages. However, if you are mentioning a specific class or course title then you should use a capital letter. For example, Calculous 3 or The Ancient History of Peru would both require capital letters.

2. Educational Establishments

• Kindergarten / Pre-school / Nursery (UK) – Below 5 years
• Primary school (UK) / Elementary school (USA) – 5-11 years
• Secondary school (UK) / High school (USA) – 11 – 16
• College – In the UK a college can be attended from 16 years upwards and offers further education courses that are not usually of degree level. In the US a college offers degrees and would be known as a university in UK English.
• University – 18 years and upwards

3. Higher Education Vocabulary

Below are some key nouns and verbs related to university and higher education.

• Apply for Harvard – To submit an application to study Harvard
• BA – Bachelor of Arts
• BSc – Bachelor of Sciences
• Campus – The location and grounds of a university.
• Career prospects – The job opportunities a university course can provide upon graduation.
• Degree – A 3- or 4-year university course
• Dissertation/Thesis – A long essay or research project written in the final year of university.
• Distance learning – Taking part or all the course via the internet from a different location to where the school is based.
• Enroll in – To register for a course at university.
• Faculty – A university department or the members of teaching staff. The students can also be part of the faculty and are often known as ‘faculty members’.
• Give a presentation – To speak on a particular topic in front of the class and lecturers.
• Graduate – (verb) To finish university / (noun) A person who has finished university.
• Lecture / Lecturer – A class at university / The ‘teacher’ at university.
• MA / MSc – Master of Arts / Master of Sciences
• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
• Scholarship – A payment or discount to support a student’s education, usually because the student is talented or has shown academic promise or excellence.
• Seminars – Small group classes where students and the teacher discuss topic.
• Semester – The period when university is open and giving classes
• Student loan – The financial assistance provided to university students.
• To drop out – To leave or quit university.
• To lecture in English / To give a lecture of English – To teach English / To teach an English class
• To read French – To study French at university.
• Tutorials – Small group classes or one on one classes. Often used to assist struggling students with a particular topic.
• Undergraduates – People currently studying at university.

4. Higher education vocabulary exercise – Use no more than two words from the vocabulary above to complete the sentences. You may need to change the tense of the words.

• Giving presentations
• Student loan
• Scholarship
• Dropped out
• Enrolling in
• Career prospects
• Dissertation / Thesis

5. Phrasal Verbs related to education 

There are many phrasal verbs related to education’ below are some of the commonly found ones in the IELTS exam.

Be into – To be interested in a topic Fall behind – To miss deadlines or not complete work on time Hand in – To submit a piece of work Hand out – To distribute Put off – To delay something Read over – Read something from beginning to end, often to check for errors. Take in – To understand something Take up – To start learning something or engaging in an activity Type up – Transfer written notes to digital form on a computer

For more practice, visit IELTS vocabulary for communication .

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IELTS Education Vocabulary

March 15, 2013 By PeterT

Topic Vocabulary >> Lesson 6: Education

You’re likely to be asked questions about your studies during Part 1, you might have to talk about a class, a teacher or a school memory in Part 2 or give your opinions on education in Part 3. Therefore, being able to call on a wide range of vocabulary to talk about education is very important.

Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold . Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: Are you studying English at a school? Michel: Yes … I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school … I attend classes three times a week …

Examiner: Would you say you are a good student? Susan: I’m OK I think … I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I’m keeping up with my studies … plus I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful when learning a language  …

Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school? Theo: Yes … I liked school … it was an ordinary state school … nothing special … a single-sex school … which I’m not sure I liked … but the teachers were great … I had lots of friends and I never played truant like some pupils there …

Part 2-style task

Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:

• when this period was
• where you were
• what you were studying at the time

and say why you were so happy.

Caroline:  I’d like to tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I didn’t go to university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so it was very exciting … I was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge … some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years … plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy … and sitting exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher education  learning about a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don’t think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were really proud … so yes … that was a really happy time … I’m thinking of doing a Masters Degree soon … though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner: What qualities do you think a good teacher has? Anna: They should be patient … they should be subject specialists and be able to explain the subject clearly … they should give feedback quickly … for example not hang on to essay for ages like some of my teachers …

Examiner: What are the advantages of studying on a distance learning course? Florrie: It’s a more flexible way of studying especially if you have a job … tuition fees are usually cheaper … but you have to be very motivated … and I would imagine more people fall behind with their studies compared to   face-to-face classes …

Examiner: Do all children get equal opportunities in education? Julie: In my country I think it is quite equal but in the UK I’ve heard that most people who go to the top universities have studied at public schools … you have to be very rich to study in a school like that  … they’re usually boarding schools  as well so the fees are enormous …

Definitions

• to attend classes : to go to classes
• bachelors degree : an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
• boarding school : a school where pupils live during term time
• distance learning : a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
• face-to-face classes : as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
• to fall behind with your studies : to progress less quickly than others
• to give feedback : to offer guidance on a student’s work
• a graduation ceremony : an event where a successful student receives his or her academic degree
• higher education : education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school or secondary school
• an intensive course : a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a time as possible
• to keep up with your studies : to not fall behind
• to learn something by heart : to memorize it
• a mature student : a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work
• masters degree : a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic course
• to meet a deadline : to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
• to play truant : to stay away from classes without permission
• private language school : an independent school run as a business concern
• public schools : exclusive independent schools in the UK
• a single-sex school : a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex school)
• to sit an exam : to take an exam
• state school : a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
• subject specialist : a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach.
• to take a year out : to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
• tuition fees : the money paid for a course of study
• to work your way through university : to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself financially

Test yourself on topic vocabulary to talk about education. Sign up to IELTS Speaking: Advanced for vocabulary tests and whole lot more!

June 9, 2016 at 3:48 am

these are very usefull for me who learn english and to take my goal ielts

thanks so much i do hope i will get more and more for learing English

March 22, 2016 at 9:56 am

Very useful, particularly the language points about fitting answers into the specific IELTS questions and the definitions.

March 18, 2016 at 8:24 am

it was really unuseful pizdec

October 3, 2015 at 3:40 pm

plz help me for my exam .

Decribe an education course you are doing. you should say: what kind of course it was. where you do it. why you do it. and explain what like and dislike about the course.

September 2, 2015 at 3:01 pm

I really like the way you present expressions, they are easy to understand into the context and apply them when talking, congrats for doing a great job and helping us to speak a foreign language. Good job!!

June 14, 2015 at 4:16 am

Thank you so much for help. I think I will be better to get good grades for the exam.

March 7, 2015 at 2:20 am

Hi. Thanks for your wealth of information. I’ve taken common IELTS vocabulary and visually represented it. It includes synonyms, antonyms, collocations and meanings. I hope you like the idea.

http://ieltsadvantage.com/category/vocabulary/

August 26, 2014 at 11:23 am

Hi Really useful 😉 Now, I can differ from various kind of school in the educational system

Thanks for helping 🙂 🙂

April 18, 2014 at 7:46 am

OVER TO YOU

Are you studying English at a school? Would you say you are a good student? What qualities do you think a good teacher has?

Use some of the vocabulary above to answer these or any of the other questions on this page.

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IELTS Education Vocabulary : Useful Phrases and Expressions in IELTS Speaking

Updated On Dec 17, 2021

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To continue the IELTS vocabulary series for IELTS Speaking , this post will cover vocabulary about education, which could be useful for you when encountering the topic in real life situation or in the IELTS exam.

Now take a look at the vocabulary sets below, and pay close attention to the details presented for each word or phrase.

Types of School

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School Work

Qualifications : university & college.

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People in Education

Benefits and drawbacks of higher education.

• Open the door to better employment opportunities

Example: It is suggested that doing master degree will open the door to better employment opportunities.

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• Contribute to society

Example: An increasing number of higher educated workers could have a good contribution to society in terms of economy

• Require a huge investment in term of time and money

Example: Generally, continuing higher education will require a huge investment in term of time and money.

• Lose the current job

Example: When you decide to continue higher education, you have to face the risk of loosing your current job.

Common Phrases and Idioms on education for IELTS Speaking Topic:Education

1. State school: a school paid for by public funds and available to general public

Example: Because my budget is limited, then get a scholar ship and go to state school is a great idea.

2. Private school: a school that is not supported by government money, where education must be paid for by the children’s parents

Example: A private school usually offers good educational facilities compared to a public school.

3. Higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school or secondary school

Example: Lisa moved to American with the purpose of continuing her higher education.

4. To work your way through university: to have a paid job while studying to support yourself financial

Example: Peter has had to work his way through university, thus he barely has free time.

5. Tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study

Example: In order to pay for the tuition fees, I have been doing many part-time jobs.

6. To keep up with your studies: to not fall behind

Example: If you want to keep up with my studies at university, you have to spend more time on self-study.

7. To fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than other

Example: Sara spent almost her time on going out rather than studying, which caused her to fall behind with her studies, thus she failed the exam.

8. To sit an exam: to take an exam

Example: The time when I have to sit an exam is really stressful, because I need to stay up all night and have less time to relax.

9. To attend classes: to go to classes

Example: In order to pass the final exam, it is suggested that you should attend to all of the classes.

10. Face to face classes: join in courses in classroom with colleagues and teachers.

Example: When you take part in a face to face class, you will have an opportunity to interact with teachers in person, then you can respond to the teacher immediately.

11. Distance learning: a way of studying, in which you will learn, and communicate with teachers and classmates through the internet.

Example: One benefit of taking distance learning course is the timetable will be flexible, which means you can study whenever and wherever you want.

12. To learn something by heart: to memorize it

Example: The course requires me to learn a lot of things by heart, which is quite hard for me.

13. To take a year out: to take a gap year

Example: Before going to the university, I decided to take a year out to travel to some countries.

14. A graduation ceremony: an event that successful student receive his or her academic degree

Example: a graduation ceremony is one of the most important day in a student life.

15. Gain/obtain knowledge:  to acquire information and learn about a specific subject or matter

Example: Taking academic course will help students to gain a great deal of knowledge.

To extend your vocabulary sets, read articles on education and pick words or phrases that you can use on your IELTS, keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy and look for vocabulary activities on your IELTS preparation course book or online. And don’t forget to keep your vocabulary notebook (or notes) at hand whenever you’re studying for your IELTS.

What kind of school did you go to as a child?

I studied in public school all of my childhood, because at that time, the schools provided better education in comparison with private school.

What do/did you study in your university?

I studied business administration, which really suits my skills and personality.

Would you say you are a good student?

Yes, I would. I have skipped any classes, I find it easy to keep up with my studies , not to mention that my teachers usually compliment on my ability to learn quicker than other students.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 :

Sample answer .

Today I would like to share with you my memorable memories at my university. This is the time when I first moved to a big city and did my Bachelor degree in ABC University. At first, everything was new to me. I had to learn hard to keep up with my studies and spend a part of my time on doing part-time job, then worked my way through university . Although I led a hectic lifestyle at that time, I believe that it was the best time in my student’s lives, in which I joined in many clubs and activities, which gave me a golden chance to experience social lives, and make new friends.

Another thing that I remembered is when I was struggling to choose my major at university and received help from my classmates. As a junior student, my university required my to decide which major such as human resources management , accounting, finance I would follow. Having known that friends who had been studying with me for a long time might know better than me, I came to some of my friends and asked them for help. It was very kind of them that they spent time on analyzing my strengths and weaknesses, also discussing with me the pros and cons of each majors. After a few hours talking with them, I made a decision that I would go for human resources management. Now, I has been studying that major for almost 3 years and I have not ever regretted about my choice.

Through all those times, I realize that whenever I am in need, my friends are always be there for me.

What are the advantage of studying on a distance learning course?

The most foreseen benefits is that the timetable is flexible, which means students can learn anytime they want. In addition, tuition fees are likely to affordable because distance learning classes do not need to be invested in classrooms and other educational facilities. But people who take distance learning courses have to be motivated, otherwise they could fall behind with their studies.

Do all children get equal opportunities in education?

No, not really. In my country, students from well off families are likely to have better chance to study in private school with excellent facilities while this is still out of reach of few learners, because their families cannot support them.

In our next post on expanding your vocabulary for your IELTS, we’ll be looking at vocabulary related to  transportation , so don’t forget to keep checking our blog!

Also check :

• IELTS Vocabulary
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IELTS Topic-based vocabulary: education; with definitions/meanings and example sentences

This post focuses on a shortlist of some most common words used in IELTS Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening . Here, IELTS candidates can learn and practice education- related words and phrases. All the words are given here with definitions/meanings and their use in example sentences. This vocabulary list will help you write essays and speak on education, education-related problems and their solutions etc. 

Vocabulary list on ‘Education’ :  

Academic year – the time of the year throughout which students attend school or university, usually considered from the beginning of the autumn term to the end of the summer term – He joined his new school at the beginning of the new academic year .

Acquire – obtain something for oneself – Hannah acquired a cheque of $500.

Admission test/entrance exam – a test designed to identify students who are capable of admitting a school or college – He obtained the highest mark in the admission test/entrance exam.

Analyse – inspect (something) systematically and thoroughly, typically in order to explain and interpret it – We need to analyse any new idea before coming to a conclusion about it.

Assignment – a specific task or amount of work assigned or undertaken by an authority – They had loads of homework assignments.

Audio – of or relating to the sound that is heard on a recording or broadcast – She listened to the audio script carefully.

Bachelor’s degree – a degree after four years’ study in a college or university – She earned a bachelor’s degree in law in 2018.

Coeducational school – a school where boys and girls study together – I studied in a coeducational school .

Cognitive – relating to conscious mental activities (such as thinking, understanding, learning and recalling) – She developed her cognitive abilities in her secondary school.

Compulsory / major – subject/subjects that you must study to obtain a degree – She had four compulsory /major subjects in her first year of Bachelor of Arts in English.

Cramming – the act of  try ing to  learn  a lot very  quickly  before an  exam – Cramming right before the exam is not a good idea.

Credit – a  unit  that  represents  a  successfully   finished   part  of an  educational   course – The students attended all the classes because each of those classes was worth two credits . 

Curiosity – the desire to know about something or someone – The design of the building aroused my curiosity .

Curriculum – all the different courses offered by a school/college/university – Spanish is one of the optional foreign language on the curriculum .

Curriculum vitae / Resume – a summary of a person’s personal demographics, experience and skills – The Company has asked for complete curriculum vitae / resume of every participant.

Dean – the head of a university faculty or department or of a medical school – All the students much like the new  dean after his visit to their dormitory.

Dictionary – a book or an electronic resource that catalogs the words of a particular language (usually in alphabetical order) and provides their meaning, or gives the comparable words in another language, often providing information about pronunciation, origin, and usage as additional information – I don’t have a Spanish to English dictionary .

Diploma – a qualification awarded to a student by a university or college or a high school – She’s achieved two diplomas in social work and child safety.

Discipline – a field of study – She was previously a student in science discipline at Stanford University.

Dissertation – a long piece of writing/article about a specific subject that is done to receive an advanced degree – The students submitted their dissertation on British Politics to their mentor before deadline.

Distance learning – a system of studying in which lectures are transmitted or lessons are conducted by correspondence, where the student does not need to be present at a school or college – Computer has helped enormously to spread distance learning all over the world.

Doctorate / PhD – the highest degree that is given by a university – She’s applied for a doctorate degree/ PhD in British Law in Queensland University.

Dormitory – a building or facility on a school campus where students can live – St. Gregory College has two large and separate dormitories for boys and girls.

Drop out – ditch or dump a course of study – She dropped out of college due to financial crisis. 

Elementary education / primary education – the early  stages  of studying – We should give importance on elementary education seriously.

Encyclopedia – a book or set of books giving information on diverse subjects or on different aspects of one subject and typically arranged alphabetically – I have an encyclopedia of prehistoric animals in my collection.

Evaluation / assessment – the construction of a judgement about the amount, number, or value of something – Many education specialists resent the evaluation/assessment methods used in the prevailing education system.

Faculty – a cluster of university departments concerned with a major division of knowledge – The Faculty of Arts in Cambridge University is extremely famous.

Higher education – any of various types of education following secondary education – Universities and colleges both propose  higher education  opportunities for a diversity of students.

Inquisitive – tending to ask questions; having a desire to know to learn more – She seems to be quite an inquisitive woman.

Interview – a meeting of people face to face, especially for consultation – I had an interview with the board last night.

Itinerary – a designed route or journey – All the students were given an itinerary before leaving the bus.

Language skills – skills relate to diverse aspects of using language; such as listening, reading, writing or speaking – Candidates in the IELTS exam are given band-scores on their English language skills .

Lecture – an instructive talk to an audience, especially one of students or teachers in a university – Today we have to attend three lectures about social changes and demographics.

Literacy – the capability to read and write – Many countries have experienced an upward trend in their literacy rate.

Master’s degree – a one/two years’ degree after achieving a bachelor’s degree – She’s also achieved a master’s degree in law this year.

Memorise – to  learn  something so that you will  remember  it  exactly – I recall clearly that some of our primary school teachers forced us to memorise some poems.

Multimedia classroom – a classroom equipped with advanced technology such as laptops, tabs, projectors, digital chalkboard etc. – Nowadays most of the schools in developed country have multimedia classrooms .

Optional / non-major – parallel to the flat surface of the horizon; at right angles to the vertical – She studied Political Science as an optional / a non-major subject in her second year.

Pedagogy – the process and exercise of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept – A teachers’ training college is indeed a school of pedagogy .

Peer pressure – the strain of thinking about or doing something because other people in the same group do it – One of the main reasons of drug addiction is peer pressure .

Postdoctoral – a work that is done after achieving a PhD – She will go on working on a postdoctoral study in transformation of laws in the 20 th century.

Portfolio – a compilation of materials that exemplifies one’s beliefs, skills, qualifications, education, training and experiences – This portfolio presents excellent insights into her personality and work.

Practical – of or concerned with the real doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas – I liked Mr Chao’s classes because he’d always had a practical approach to discuss a topic.

Presentation – a speech or talk in which a new product, idea, or piece of work is shown and explained to an audience – The company official has delivered a PowerPoint presentation on how to use the product.

Procrastinate – holdup or postpone an action; put off doing something – Many students fail to achieve their goal in time because they procrastinate intentionally or unintentionally.

Professor – a university scholar of the maximum rank; the holder of a university chair – The old professor passed away suddenly.

Pupil – student, one who has been taught – She had some successful pupils who keep contact with her regularly.

Put down – record something in writing – She put down the gist of the speech beautifully in her notebook.

Qualification – skill or experience or knowledge that makes someone appropriate to do a specific job or activity – All the applicants with best qualifications are requested to participate in the coming exam.

Reference – supply (a book or article) with citations of sources of information – He used reference from at least 8 prominent articles.

Research – careful study that is done to find and report new knowledge about something – This research on chimpanzees will change the course of studying animal behaviour.

Scholarship / grant – a payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the foundation of educational or other achievement – Reeha has got a $10000 scholarship/grant for excellent academic record.

Secondary education – the stage of education following primary education – Success in secondary education is highly dependent on elementary education.

Seminar – a gathering in which people receive information on and training in a specific subject matter – They arranged a seminar on how to develop the lifestyle of rural people.

Single-sex school – a school where either boys or girls can study – My sister studied in a single-sex school . 

Stipend – a particular amount of money that is paid regularly to someone – All the pupils from poor family background get a £250 monthly stipend from the school.

Survey – to ask many people a set of questions in order to gather information about most people’s insight on something – The outcome of the survey in the rural areas is quite bizarre.

Syllabus – subjects studied in a particular course – The syllabus for English Literature in developing countries is rather confusing.

Term – one of the  periods  into which a  year  is  divided  at  school ,  college , or university – She finished her term in the university successfully. 

Theory – a supposition or a system of proposals intended to make something clear, especially one based on general principles free of the thing to be explained – According to conspiracy  theory , there is no obvious end game for countries with natural resources.

Thesis – a long original essay or dissertation involving personal research, written by a candidate for a university degree – They submitted their thesis to the professor.

Tuition fee – money that is paid to a school/college/university for the right to study there – Her tuition fee for the course is $4500 a year.

Tutor – a teacher; particularly works with one student – Mr Stephen is Graham’s tutor .

Tutorial – a period of teaching given by a university or college tutor to an individual or very small group – I joined the new tutorial on macro-photography.

Undergraduate – a student in a college or university who is yet to earn a degree, especially a bachelors’ degree – Roger is an undergraduate at Yale School of Law.

Verbal – spoken; not written – We had a verbal exam before commencing our third year in college.

Visual – of or relating to vision – This automation visual navigation is designed by a complicated software.

Vocational – (of education or training) aimed at a particular profession and its skills – Many countries are now leaning on vocational education to solve unemployment problem.

Viva voce – an oral examination, typically for an academic qualification – The candidates were called for viva voce .

Click here for vocabulary list on ‘Crime and Punishment’

Click here for vocabulary list on ‘Environment’

Click here for vocabulary list on ‘Science and Technology’

Click here for vocabulary list on ‘Pandemic/epidemic/medical crisis’

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Academic IELTS Reading: Test 1 Reading passage 3; To catch a king; with best solutions and explanations

This Academic IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to an IELTS Reading Test 1 Reading Passage 3 titled ‘To catch a king’. This is a targeted post for IELTS candidates who have great problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers in the AC module. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer […]

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This General Training IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge 16 Reading Test 2 Section 1 which has two texts titled ‘How to choose your builder’ & ‘Island adventure activities’. This is a targeted post for GT IELTS candidates who have big problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers in the GT module. This […]

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Education Vocabulary

Below are twenty words associated with one of the most common IELTS topics- education. They are represented visually and include meanings, form, synonyms, antonyms, collocations and example sentences.

I hope this will help you prepare for the IELTS test and please let me know if you have any suggestions for further posts.

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If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

Education: Advanced IELTS Language

The following vocabulary is from my IELTS ebook for part two of the writing test.

Rephrasing of some common topic words: children = juveniles, youngsters education= learning, instruction, acquiring knowledge students = pupils parents = caregivers, guardians, mothers and fathers schools = educational institutions society  = community, citizens teachers = educators Some useful Nouns

  Some useful verbs

Some useful Adjectives

2 thoughts on “Education: Advanced IELTS Language”

Very helpful. Interesting vocabulary. Thanks

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About Mike I’m Mike Wattie from Australia. I have been teaching IELTS for over 20 years in Asia and Australia.

I have written IELTS books and this enables me to be an effective tutor. This is because I understand the main problems that students have taking the test and also the ways to overcome them.

Maybe you would like me to teach you the necessary skills and strategies to pass your test.

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IELTS Speaking Vocabulary. Education

On this page you can find useful IELTS speaking vocabulary for Education topic, which will help you to speak coherently and fluently. Learn it to answer questions about education and achieve a high score on IELTS Speaking test.

See IELTS Speaking sample about Education >

• humanities : studies about human culture, such as literature, languages, philosophy, and history. Chloe excels in humanities subjects. She's adept at arts and languages.
• sciences : studies about the world, such as physics, biology, chemistry, and maths. Mark doesn't like scientific subjects, he's just too lazy to learn formulas.
• A for effort : a good mark, which is given someone for trying hard rather than for a success. Although I'm not the smartest in my group, I often get an A for effort, because I try hard.
• bachelor's degree : an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3 or 4 years. I will receive my bachelor's degree in two years.
• bookworm : a term to describe someone who really likes to read and spends a lot of time on it. I'm a real bookworm. I won't stop until the book is read.
• distance learning (e-learning) : education that takes place remotely, usually via the Internet. Distance learning is more flexible than traditional education, because students don't have to attend classes and can schedule their timetables as they want.
• eager beaver : an enthusiastic and hard-working person. My friend is an eager beaver. He studies everything with pleasure and gets great marks.
• face-to-face classes : a traditional way of studying - in a classroom with a teacher. When I was a kid, face-to-face classes had no alternatives, but nowadays a myriad of educational establishments offer online courses and individual tuition.
• higher education : education that is followed after high school. I plan on getting higher education after finishing school.
• hit the books : begin studying hard. I'm on my third year in the university, it is time to finally hit the books.
• individual tuition (private tuition) : instruction received individually or in a small group. Individual tuition is sometimes more effective than group work.
• intensive course : a course that offers longer and more frequent classes. A few years ago I took an intensive French course in the university.
• internship : a temporary position which students usually take to get work experience and practical knowledge. Before I went into design industry, I took an internship in a company.
• master's degree : a graduate course, which follows after bachelor's degree. Master's degree is often important to find a job with a higher salary.
• mature student : someone who's older than others. Nowadays it's not uncommon to face a mature student in the class. People often change professions and get a second or third degree in their mid-thirties.
• not the sharpest tool in the shed : a polite way of saying that someone isn't very smart. Maybe John isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's a good friend nonetheless.
• public schools : exclusive independent schools in the UK. My friend finished a public school a few years ago.
• schoolboy error : a very basic and stupid mistake. Sam made a schoolboy error on his English test.
• single-sex schools : schools for either boys or girls. My brother studied in a single-sex school.
• small fraction : small part. A small fraction of students managed to pass this exam.
• state school : a school which is paid for by the state or country. It is hard to find a good state school nowadays.
• subject specialist : a person who is very talented in one specific field. My math teacher was a real subject specialist. Thanks to him math is my favourite subject now.
• teacher's pet : student whom teachers like the most. Hugo is a teacher's pet, he attends all classes and manages to get good marks with poor knowledge.
• three R's : basic educational skills ( r eading, w r iting, a r ithmetic). Pupils in a primary school study the three R's.
• to attend classes : to visit classes. In my college, students need to attend classes five times a week.
• to fall behind with studies : to progress less quickly than others. Mary was ill for two weeks, so she fell behind with her studies.
• to give feedback : to give some information or criticism on a subject. I launched a project a couple of days ago and I want my friends to give me some feedback.
• to goof around : spend time doing nothing important. Sometimes I like to goof around, although my parents scold me for that.
• to learn something by heart : to memorize something. Last year i had to learn a very big poem by heart for my literature class.
• to meet a deadline : to finish something within a time limit. Unfortunately, we weren't able to meet the deadline for our project.
• to pass with flying colours : to pass easily and with excellent result. I'm studying hard and I will pass IELTS with flying colours.
• to play truant : to skip classes without permission. During my school years I often played truant with my friends.
• to pursue studying : to continue studying. Lora would like to pursue studying in the future to become a professor.
• to set aside some time : to take some time. I need to set aside some time to collect my thoughts.
• to sit an exam : to take an exam. Tomorrow I'll have to sit a two-hour math exam.
• to take a year out : to spend one year working or traveling before studying in the University. My friend took a year out and went traveling to the UK.
• tuition fees : money you pay for your education. I had to pay tuition fees this summer.

Education 7+ IELTS vocabulary

Here are interesting words and collocations to use in your answers for IELTS topics about Education  and Studying .

Education vocab — List of words and collocations

Education vocab — explanations & examples.

IELTS videos (tips, strategies, and mock tests):

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IELTS Vocabulary: Vocabulary lists, exercises and free resources

Welcome to the IELTS Vocabulary page! If you’re preparing for the IELTS exam, you already know that a strong vocabulary is crucial for success.

Here we put together lists of topic-specific vocabulary and the way you can use them in the exam.

You’ll find detailed explanations and an IELTS vocabulary list to practice and improve your vocabulary.

Table of Contents

How can i improve my vocabulary for ielts.

• Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking topics

Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task

Video: how to expand your writing vocabulary (+ 10 words), what is a vocabulary collocation.

• Important Vocabulary to learn for IELTS

What is the best way to learn topic-specific collocations?

Video: ielts topic specific vocabulary and collocations, other ielts vocabulary lessons.

• Audio Tutorial

Vocabulary or lexical resource is responsible for 25% of your final grade, in both the speaking and writing sections.

Here we have a list of the topics you can expect to find on the exam, we are updating it each week.

It’s common to be stuck with an IELTS exam score of 6.5 and believe in order to get a band 7 they need to improve their IELTS vocabulary.

However, without feedback, evaluation or expert exam help, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly which area you need to get help for.

Constantly build your passive vocabulary word lists by reading and listening. Then move these words into your active vocabulary by using them when speaking or writing.

To improve faster, when reading, listening or watching English material, try to capture new words in a phrasebook. If you have time add the context too.

The next time you write an essay , review it and look for opportunities to add the words from your list into your text.

Likewise, when speaking try to incorporate your new vocab into your conversations, don’t force them though because it will sound odd!

Idioms can be extracted from films and English podcasts, however, I’d recommend audio material because there are no visual clues, making listening a little harder.

Active reading is a great habit to develop and a vital exam preparation skill. Active reading is where you circle, underline and mark the text you are reading, so as to ease comprehension.

If you want to accelerate your learning, have a look at some tutorials about vocabulary acquisition. This page includes how to use a vocabulary phrase book and flashcards. 

Take a look at our article which will provide tips and strategies to improve your vocabulary .

Vocabulary for IELTS speaking topics

• Friends and family
• Food and nutrition
• Travel and tourism
• Modern technology
• Coronavirus vocabulary (new)
• Pollution and the environment
• People, personalities and characters
• Fitness and health
• School and education
• Work and careers
• University and student life
• Accommodation
• Books, film and art
• Climate change
• Working from home
• Social media
• Advertising
• Fashion and shopping

IELTS vocabulary for the writing section refers to the academic style and word choice (lexical resource) when writing your essay.

Below we have put together tutorials with word lists to help you improve your IELTS score.

• Vocabulary about climate change (word list included)
• Vocabulary: the environment (with Ted Talk and list of collocations)
• Vocabulary: sports topics (with Ted Talk and list of collocations)
• Vocabulary: globalisation – with Ted Talk presentation
• Vocabulary about law and order (word list included)
• Vocabulary: technology
• Vocabulary: politics with Ted Talk presentation
• Vocabulary: language and culture – with Ted Talk
• Vocabulary: health with Ted Talk presentation
• Vocabulary: education topic with Ted Talk and list of collocations
• Vocabulary about crime
• Vocabulary about employment and equal pay
• Vocabulary about fossil fuels
• Vocabulary about employment
• Vocabulary: employment and highly skilled jobs
• Vocabulary about sport with Ted Talk presentation

A collocation is a group of words that has an above-average possibility of being found together.

Using collocations in your writing and IELTS speaking helps to make your language sound more natural and fluent. This in turn makes your writing flow and helps you get a better scoring essay.

Important Vocabulary List to learn for IELTS

We have compiled a list of the most essential vocabulary words and phrases you need to know to perform well on the exam.

Our expertly curated list covers a range of topics commonly found on the IELTS exam, from education and technology to travel and the environment.

With our guide, you’ll be able to expand your vocabulary and improve your overall score on the IELTS.

Modern Technology

• Labour-saving devices
• State-of-the-art technology
• Internet-enabled
• Rocket scientist
• Computer crashed
• Shut down the computer
• Wireless hotspots
• Computer literate
• Hacking into the Internet
• Artificial intelligence

Global Warming

• Political issue
• Climate crisis
• Green consumer
• Carbon emissions
• Historical average
• Carbon footprint
• Climate solutions
• Current levels
• Global warming
• Environmental problems

Food and Nutrition

• Nutritious food
• Refined carbohydrates
• Food preparation
• Packed with vitamins
• Home cooked meal
• A balanced diet
• Daily consumption
• Savouring the food
• Seasonal fruits
• Homemade food
• Travel abroad
• Affordable travel
• Holiday destinations
• Out-of-season travel
• Exotic destinations
• Off the beaten track
• Self-catering accommodation
• Spectacular beaches and lush forests
• Travelling light
• Magnificent landscapes

Immigration

• Middle-income countries
• Western countries.
• Public opinion
• Increased movement
• Refugee group
• Multicultural society
• Global situation
• Developing world
• International community
• Immigration policies

The best way to learn topic-specific collocations is to look for them being used in context. We in the lists above, extracted collocations from Ted Talks , so you can identify how they are used in  context .

Using topic-specific vocabulary, collocations and words from the academic vocabulary list  will help considerably.

Below is a free PDF ebook of lexical resources with lots of vocabulary lists and examples to learn new vocabulary for your English language study. If you are still struggling then check out the Jump to Band 7 or its Free IELTS Course.

Click here for a free master list of collocations!

Elevate Your Writing with Online IELTS Essay Checker

Learning many words is good for the IELTS test. However, using them in essays can be tricky. Do you want to be sure your essays are the best they can be? We have a tool that can help you. It’s name? The online IELTS essay checker .

This tool is like a helpful friend. You give it your essay, and it tells you what’s right and what to fix. So, you can learn quickly. Another good thing? This tool can help you save money.

Many students pay a lot for classes and books to learn how to write. But our tool is not expensive and gives fast feedback. So, after learning new words on this page, use our online IELTS essay checker for your essays. It will show you how to use the words right.

In short, if you want to do well in writing and not spend too much money, our online IELTS essay checker is a good choice. It’s easy to use and can help a lot. We hope it helps you get a high score on your IELTS test. Keep learning and good luck!

• Improve your IELTS Writing vocabulary with these amazing tips
• Synonyms to improve your score in IELTS
• Writing and speaking vocabulary to improving your grammatical range and accuracy
• IELTS band 8 vocabulary and collocations
• Common idioms you can use in the IELTS speaking exam
• Writing task one: informal letter writing phrases
• Social Media Vocabulary
• How to use the right vocabulary in IELTS Writing

Audio tutorial

Podcast:  Play in new window  |  Download

To improve your vocabulary you could get feedback from an ex-IELTS examiner , our service offers very detailed IELTS essay feedback on your vocabulary and word choice.

However, if you are on a budget and need instant feedback then try our online IELTS writing evaluation , fast and free!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

• Practice Test
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• Full Writing Review
• General Writing Task
• Writing Task 1
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• Speaking Part 1
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• Speaking Part 2 – Audio
• Speaking Part 3
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List of Education Vocabulary IELTS

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• May 30, 2023

Education Vocabulary IELTS : Vocabulary can act as a bridge between you and other individuals. With its help, you can express your thoughts/ ideas to the world and interpret what others are trying to convey. Insufficient vocabulary skills can hamper an individual’s social and professional growth. In essence, vocabulary might be the most important part of learning a new language. This is why, it should not be disregarded at all costs. And just like any other language, this condition is applicable to the English language as well.

Also Read: IELTS Sample Tests

List of IELTS Vocabulary on Education

Education is a fundamental aspect of our lives and takes up a major portion of the IELTS Speaking Assessment. While talking about education, you must keep abreast with the most commonly used vocabulary pertaining to the topic. During the assessment, candidates can be asked to describe or talk about their school, college or university. 

Therefore, it is imperative for one to have a good hold of their ‘education’ lexicon (vocabulary) to ensure they do not get stuck during the assessment. The complexity of questions asked in the assessment can range from the simple ones stated before to more complex ones such as the quality of teaching or education system in your country, equal opportunities, technology in schools and many other related topics. The list of education vocabulary will equip you to create answers for these types of subjects as well.

Also Read: 5 Best Books for IELTS Vocabulary

Why is Vocabulary Important? 

For students looking to pursue their education overseas, vocabulary—often referred to be the lifeblood of a language—can be a saving grace. A solid command of the language indicates that the student can communicate and talk more effectively. This is so that verbal expression can be coherent and organised when conveying intangible qualities like feelings or thoughts.

Communication may be the only means for students studying abroad to socialise with peers. In such cases, a strong vocabulary can allow them to communicate fluently and give them the confidence to express their feelings and views. 

Importance of the IELTS Exam

Those who wish to study or reside abroad are required to undertake the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This English language test is designed to ascertain and assess a candidate’s general proficiency in the language, particularly in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. 

To ace the IELTS Exam, you must have strong vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation skills. Candidates must be proficient in vocabulary because it makes up a sizable amount of the reading, listening, and writing sections. Many of you may find the exam challenging or burdensome, but with adequate study and practice, you should ace it. 

It could be difficult for students who struggle with English to study abroad or immigrate to an English-speaking nation. However, this does not negate the possibility of enhancing one’s English speaking, reading, and writing skills. In order to pursue an overseas education, students must perform well in the IELTS exam. Participation in the aforementioned exam by the applicant may serve as evidence of their command of the English language. 

High IELTS scores may assist students in : 

• Showcasing their English language abilities to the admissions committee and visa authorities.
• Highlighting the candidate’s ability and capacity to speak in front of a worldwide audience. 

One needs to have a strong command of the English language in order to ace the IELTS exam. One must develop the practice of using new words/phrases as efficiently as possible in their everyday conversations if they want to expand their vocabulary. Having said that, expanding one’s vocabulary involves more than just learning new words; it also entails creating a habit of using them frequently. Vocabulary, which is considered the essence of a language, can be a lifeline for students looking to study abroad. An individual who has a solid command of the language is likely to be able to talk and communicate more successfully. 

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Shubham Das

Shubham Das has been working as an educational content writer for the past two years and has a background in filmmaking & screenplay/ teleplay writing. He is fascinated by the human psyche, literature and cinema.

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IELTS Vocabulary

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 7, 2022 | IELTS Tips | 0

I’ve been teaching IELTS since 2010 and have run this website since 2016 and in all that time the most common thing people want to know is how to learn IELTS vocabulary .

To be honest, I don’t believe there is such as thing as IELTS vocabulary and that’s what I always tell people. IELTS is an English test and so you just need to learn English! However, people don’t like to hear that.

My best advice about learning IELTS vocabulary is to look at common IELTS topics (like education, technology, the environment, health, etc) and then read lots of articles on those subjects. By doing that, you will naturally encounter new words, which you can look up and learn. I have a great guide to effective vocabulary learning here .

I also try to produce sample answers for both speaking and listening questions and whenever I do that, I highlight useful words and phrases. That’s another good way to learn IELTS vocabulary.

Still, since people are quite insistent upon learning vocabulary for IELTS and they seem to believe that there is a big list of necessary words, then I will try to make one below! Keep in mind, though, that none of those is really required. These are just some words that might be useful in certain contexts. I will group them by topic, which I think is the best way to learn.

Education Vocabulary

• Certification
• Curriculum (plural: curricula)
• Distance learning
• Extracurricular
• Qualification
• Technical college
• Tertiary education

You can learn more in this extensive guide to the IELTS topic of education.

Environment

• Carbon dioxide
• Climate change
• Fossil fuels
• Global warming
• Greenhouse gases
• International cooperation
• Nuclear power
• Pollution / pollutants
• Sea level rise
• Solar power
• Sustainability

You can learn more about the environment in this article .

• Carbohydrates (informal: carbs)
• Ethically sourced
• Health food
• Saturated fats

I have a lesson on food here . You can find out how to talk about restaurants here .

• Alternative treatments
• Cardiovascular
• Emergency room
• Healthcare provider
• Health service
• Mental health
• Obesity  
• Preventative treatment
• Vaccinations

There is much more about the topic of health here .

• Cloud computing
• Cryptocurrency
• Digitisation
• Social media

There’s much more about technology in this article . You can also watch this video lesson for more IELTS vocabulary related to technology.

• Career advisor
• Customer service
• Industrial action
• Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation
• Résumé
• Training session
• Working from home

Words to Avoid in IELTS

So far, I’ve listed lots of potentially useful IELTS vocabulary (although remember that there’s no such thing – these are just words you might find helpful!) but now I want to share a few words that you really ought to avoid or at least use with extreme caution.

People who follow this blog and also my social media channels will know that I loathe the word “plethora.” It can be used correctly, but a really awful IELTS teacher from India has promised her millions of followers that using it will magically get them a band 8! As a result, this has become a bit of an IELTS cliché. I’ve written about this and other words here .

I also have a video about IELTS phrases that should be avoided:

Here’s a short list of some that you need to avoid or be careful with:

• It cannot be denied…
• Recapitulate

Just as there is no such thing as “IELTS vocabulary,” but rather a whole language you should try to master, even these words can be used correctly. In my experience, however, having marked over 20,000 IELTS essays, I find them to be used incorrectly in most cases.

Remember this advice as we finish this article on IELTS vocabulary:

Don’t try to impress the examiner with advanced words. Instead, aim for accuracy.

That’s the best advice I can give you and, if you follow it and study hard, you should get a great score for Lexical Resource .

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Vocabulary Words for IELTS 2024: Complete List Phrasal Verbs, Idioms and Words

Updated on Mar 18, 2024, 13:21

Words are the building blocks of any language! Interestingly, they keep evolving. New words form, and old words coin new meanings that are more relevant to the age and day.   

A pro-English speaker would know how to play and experiment with vocabulary in all four language skills: Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing. This is why IELTS Vocabulary is crucial in deciding your IELTS band score!

On This Page

1. IELTS Vocabulary: What’s It All About?

On this page, we’ll assist you with the best IELTS vocabulary to add to your word bank. Let’s dive in! 

2. IELTS Vocabulary List: Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a combination of verbs and prepositions or adverbs. Most times, phrasal verbs don’t mean what they indicate, LITERALLY! For example, the phrase  ‘look after him’  does not indicate that you must look behind or after the person has walked past or moved. 

Instead, it means “take care of him.”

3. IELTS Vocabulary List: Idioms

Idioms, much like phrasal verbs, don’t always indicate what they mean. Idioms are flowery sentences framed together for effect, humour and poetry. Idioms originate from cultural experiences or historical references. 

4. Tips To Improve IELTS Vocabulary

IELTS Vocabulary only improves over time. You must put in consistent work and practice to improve your word bank.

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Check your IELTS band in 10 mins!

IELTS Vocabulary: What’s It All About?

By definition, vocabulary just means words! But remember, it does not have to be just  a word. IELTS Vocabulary consists of idioms or phrasal verbs, which we’ll explore below.   

As part of language evaluation, IELTS measures your vocabulary range, also called  ‘Lexical Resource.’ This band descriptor accounts for 25% of your IELTS scores.   

Here’s what it checks: 

• Are you using the right words in the proper context?
• Are you following all the grammar rules when using this word?
• Are you able to use unusual and uncommon words relevantly?  

IELTS Vocabulary is put to use differently in each of the four skills. For instance, the IELTS Speaking Vocabulary will consist of conversational words, nothing too over-the-board or academic.   

On the other hand, while preparing for IELTS Reading, Writing or Listening, you will need to add more sophisticated words to your bank! This is because the passages, audio and essay topics are slightly more academic/formal in nature.   

Therefore, your preparation strategies for IELTS Vocabulary should be specific to the section you’re preparing for. 

Below is a list of vocabulary words arranged as per categories/topics that most commonly occur in IELTS. 

Advertising

Culture, arts, and diversity.

• Environment
• Personality

IELTS Vocabulary List: Phrasal Verbs

Understanding phrasal words can be tricky to start with, but as you learn, it will become easier, more interesting, and even fun!   

Here are some phrasal verbs you can start using today! 

Commonly Used Phrasal Verbs

Less common phrasal verbs, ielts vocabulary list: idioms.

For example, when someone says,  “This is a piece of cake!” They are not talking about a real slice of cake.  They are simply implying that this (some task) is very easy to do.   

Usage of Idioms indicates a high level of expertise in the English language, which is why using them during IELTS may get you brownie points!   

Here are some Idioms to learn today! 

Common Idioms

Less common idioms, tips to improve ielts vocabulary.

To score well in the lexical resource part of the test, it’s important that you not only know the words but understand them and can pronounce them correctly.  Here are the top 5 tips to help you improve Vocabulary words for IELTS! 

• Read all you can:  The best way to learn new words is to read! Read newspapers, books, magazines, blogs, and anything else. If you spot a new word, note it and find its meaning.  
• Watch and Observe:  When watching TV shows or movies or chatting with people, pay attention to the words used. It's an easy and effective way to learn new vocabulary without much effort!
• Play word games:  Another easy trick if you have little time to build your vocabulary. Games like Wordle and Scribbl are fun plus educative. 
• Practice:  Learning a new word is not enough. You must practice using it in different contexts. You should also practice pronunciation! 
• Set Goals: If vocabulary is your weak point, try setting goals to learn a certain number of words every week. Maintain a journal to record the words and track your progress. 

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Q. Is there any IELTS vocabulary test?

A. No, the IELTS exam does not have a specific vocabulary test. However, a strong and diverse vocabulary is essential for performing well across all sections. You are encouraged to explore our list of vocabulary words for IELTS as a valuable resource to enhance your language proficiency.

Q. Is 7.5 a good score?

A. Yes, a score of 7.5 reflects a high level of proficiency in English. It demonstrates that the candidate can communicate effectively in academic and professional contexts. This score is widely accepted by universities worldwide, making it a commendable achievement for individuals aspiring to pursue higher education or professional opportunities in an English-speaking environment.

Q. Are vocabulary words for IELTS important?

A. Yes, vocabulary words for IELTS are crucial as they constitute up to 25% of the total score. This emphasis underscores its significance in both the Speaking and Writing sections, making it essential for candidates to focus on building a diverse and accurate vocabulary to enhance their chances of success.

Q. How do you enrich your IELTS vocabulary?

A. To enhance your knowledge about vocabulary words for IELTS, engage in activities such as reading newspapers, which exposes you to diverse vocabulary used in real-world contexts. Watching English movies with subtitles enhances your listening skills and introduces you to colloquial expressions. Maintaining a daily diary and jotting down new words and phrases encountered during your studies or daily life aids in continuous learning and retention.

Q. Is it necessary to use vocabulary words for IELTS?

A. No, there is no strict rule that using complex words is necessary for scoring well in IELTS. While using a diverse vocabulary is encouraged, there is no obligation to incorporate unnecessarily complex words. The key is to prioritise effective usage and understanding of words. The emphasis should be on practical communication rather than the complexity of the vocabulary.

Q. Why is it important to improve vocabulary words for IELTS?

A. Yes. Vocabulary is your foundation. Vocabulary makes up to 25% of your total IELTS Writing and Speaking marks. Without a strong vocabulary, having an efficient conversation or writing a good content piece is difficult. And when you move out to an English-speaking country, it is ideal to build a strong vocabulary.

Q. What is the best way to memorise vocabulary words for IELTS easily?

A. We don’t recommend memorising words, as it is highly likely to lead to confusion. Using words in the wrong context will cost you marks. However, if it is your last resort, using mnemonics is the best way to memorise vocabulary. These are mental shortcuts that help you remember more complex concepts or words. For example, you can create connections between words. The longer you think about acronyms or the connection, the better you will remember the associated words.

Q. Why is vocabulary important in the IELTS exam?

A. Having a good vocabulary helps you express ideas clearly without repeating yourself. In Writing, it lets you share complex thoughts and makes your points easier to follow. In Speaking, it helps you speak fluently and sound confident. In Listening and Reading, vocabulary practice will help you easily comprehend the audio and passages.

Q. How can I expand my IELTS vocabulary?

A. These are a few things you can do to improve your vocabulary:

• Read genres, including newspapers, articles, and academic texts. This exposes you to a wide array of words used in diverse contexts. 
• Practice actively using new words in different situations, ensuring a solid understanding of their nuances. 
• Additionally, make use of vocabulary-building tools such as word lists and flashcards. Consistent and deliberate efforts in these areas will contribute significantly to the gradual expansion of your IELTS vocabulary.

Q. Are there specific words I should focus on for IELTS?

A. You can focus on the following categories as they are common subjects in all the four sections of IELTS: 

• Advertisement 
• Covid-19 

Q. Can I use informal words in the IELTS exam?

A. While informal words may be a part of everyday communication, the IELTS exam demands a higher level of formality and precision. Using informal language may detract from the overall academic tone expected in both written and spoken responses. Therefore, you are encouraged to adhere to a formal register, showcasing your ability to communicate proficiently in settings requiring more polished and professional language use.

Q. How can I memorise new words effectively?

A. Establish associations between new words and familiar concepts to make memorisation more effective. Creating a story around a group of words can help you recall your memory. Furthermore, practice actively using the words in sentences, integrating them into your daily language use. This approach solidifies your understanding of the words and enhances your ability to recall and employ them appropriately during the exam.

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IELTS Listening: MAPS and complex directions

By Fiona on March 24, 2024

IELTS candidates often get lost with maps.

This is because most coursebooks teach only very basic vocabulary for directions (turn left, go straight on etc).

This lesson will prepare you for more complex instructions, which I've never seen on any other IELTS website, but I see all the time in the Listening Tests.

In this lesson you'll learn:

- Basic prepositions of place

This lesson includes a 25-minute videos with 21 real examples with explanation from Books 10 - 18.

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