Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Vocabulary
1Certificate /sərˈtɪfɪkət/
2Grades /ɡreɪds/
3Credentials /krɪˈdenʃəlz/
4Degree /dɪˈɡriː/
5Equitable /ˈekwətəbəl/
6Fair / fer/
7Impartial /ɪmˈpɑːʃəl/
8Exam /ɪɡˈzæm/
9Curriculum /kəˈrɪkjələm/
10Subsidize /ˈsʌbsədaɪz/
11Fund /fʌnd/
Definition
an official document that states that a fact or facts
are true
a mark that a student is given for their work or for
an examination
a letter or other document which proves your
good character or your right to have a particular
position
a course of study at a university or college, or the
qualification that is given to you when you have
successfully completed the course
treating all people in a fair and equal way
a fair situation, system, way of treating people, or
judgment seems reasonable, acceptable, and right
not involved in a particular situation, and
therefore able to give a fair opinion or piece of
advice
a spoken or written test of knowledge, especially
an important one
the subjects that are taught by a school, college
etc, or the things that are studied in a particular
subject
if a government or organization subsidizes a
company, activity etc, it pays part of its costs
an amount of money that is collected and kept for
Example
If you lose the certificates, you can sign an
affidavit and still retrieve the will.
He got a grade A in maths.
The commissioner presented his credentials
to the State Department.
Applicants must have a degree in
Engineering.
An equitable distribution of food supplies
All we are asking for is a fair wage.
We offer impartial advice on tax and
insurance.
At the end of each level, there’s an exam.
Languages are an essential part of the school
curriculum.
Farming is heavily subsidized by the
government.
The fund was set up to try to save the
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
12Sponsor / ˈspɑːnsər/
13Homework /ˈhoʊmwɜːrk/
14Assignment /əˈsaɪnmənt/
15Exercise /ˈeksərsaɪz/
16Revamp /riːˈvæmp/
17Cheat sheet
18Open Book
19To cram /kræm/
20To ram /ræm/
21To take on
a particular purpose
a person or company that pays for a show,
broadcast, sports event etc, especially in exchange
for the right to advertise at that event
work that a student at school is asked to do at
home
a piece of work that is given to someone as part of
their job
an activity or process that helps you practice a
particular skill
to change something in order to improve it and
make it seem more modern
a piece of paper, computer file, etc. that gives you
useful information about a subject, or helps you
remember or do something, sometimes used for
cheating in a test or examination
To do an exam with the book of the theory open
next to you
to prepare yourself for an examination by learning
a lot of information quickly
to push something into a position, using great
force
to agree to do some work or be responsible for
cathedral.
Eastman Kodak is a major sponsor of the
Olympics.
For homework, finish the exercise on page
14.
She’s gone to Italy on a special assignment.
Role-play exercises
Many older companies are revamping their
image.
We've created a cheat sheet of cool gadgets
that can make campus life more productive
and fun.
Before the oral exam everyone was
cramming hard, trying to revise as much
information as possible in the last few
minutes they had.
When I started studying, I felt I was
ramming information into my head since
there was a great amount of new information
to learn.
Don’t take on too much work – the extra
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
22Chart / tʃɑːrt/
23Minded /ˈmaɪndɪd/
24Blanket /ˈblæŋkɪt/
25Outperforming /ˌaʊtpə
ˈfɔːrming/
26Canned /kænd/
27Scantron
28Pipeline /ˈpaɪp-laɪn/
29Regimentation /ˌredʒəmen
ˈteɪʃən/
30Accountability /əˌkaʊntə
ˈbɪləti/
31School /skuːl/
something
to make a plan of what should be done to achieve
a particular result
Adjective
a statement, rule etc that affects everyone or
includes all possible cases
to be more successful than someone or something
else
canned food is preserved in a round metal
container
Scantron is a type of standardized testing
methodology that uses Optical Mark Recognition
(OMR), whereby light coming from a scanner
recognizes where dark marks were made on a
sheet of paper
scannable answer sheets used for testing
purposes.
a line of connecting pipes, often under the
ground, used for sending gas, oil etc over long
distances
to organize and control people firmly and usually
too strictly
responsible for the effects of your actions and
willing to explain or be criticized for them
to train or teach someone to have a certain skill,
cash isn’t worth it.
Each team was responsible for making its
own decisions and charting its own course.
She says that some people are narrow
minded.
The agency is offering a blanket settlement
to all groups.
Stocks generally outperform other
investments.
Pre-canned questions (already prepared)
The TOEIC exam was a scantron, so they
asked us to buy special pencils so the
machine that reads them would not have a
problem.
The current pipeline for education in
America is incredibly stagnant and
immutable
But these gaps in themselves presupposed a
regimentation of family life and family time.
Alison joined a support group so that she
would have some accountability with others
for her actions.
She was schooled in hiding her emotions.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
type of behavior, or way of thinking
32Lag /læɡ/ to move or develop more slowly than others Britain is lagging behind the rest of Europe.
33Flourish /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/ to develop well and be successful The economy is booming and small
businesses are flourishing.
34Nurture /ˈnɜːrtʃər/ to feed and take care of a child or a plant while it plants nurtured in the greenhouse
is growing
35Test /test/ a set of questions, exercises, or practical activities We have a test on irregular verbs tomorrow.
to measure someone’s skill, ability, or knowledge
36Examinations /ɪɡˌzæmə a spoken or written test of knowledge, especially The examination results will be announced
ˈneɪʃən/ an important one in September.
37Qualification /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ if you have a qualification, you have passed an He left school without any qualifications.
examination or course to show you have a
particular level of skill or knowledge in a subject
38Mark / mɑːrk/ a letter or number given by a teacher to show how The highest mark was a B+.
good a student’s work is
39Grade /ɡreɪd/ (N) a particular level of quality that a product, The best grades of tea are expensive.
material etc has
40Grade /ɡreɪd/ (V) to say what level of a quality something has, or Pencils are graded according to softness.
what standard it is
41To homeschool to teach children at home instead of sending them She and her husband homeschool their three
to school (V) kids.
42homeschooling Noun
43Homeschooled Adjective
44Homeschooler Person
45Home education Noun
46Home educator Person
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
47Home educating Adjective
48To home educate Verb
49State-funded State-Funded means a service or program funded The program is state-funded
entirely with state dollars.
50Withdraw to take an object out from inside something She withdrew a document from her
briefcase.
51Crack down on take severe measures against someone or "The police will crack down on criminals"
something.
52Untrained not trained to do something But we had an untrained and undisciplined
group, with too many leaders, and things
started to break down.
53At risk in a situation where you may be harmed Women are more at risk from the harmful
effects of alcohol than men.
54Ensure /ɪnˈʃʊr/ to make certain that something will happen facilities to ensure the safety of cyclists
properly
55Resourcefulness /rɪ good at finding ways of dealing with practical Her resourcefulness is one of her many good
ˈzɔːrsfəlnes/ problems points.
56a (whole) host of a large number of people or things A host of show business celebrities have
people/things pledged their support.
57Miss out to not have the chance to do something that you Some children miss out because their
enjoy and that would be good for you parents can’t afford to pay for school trips.
58Mainstream /ˈmeɪnstriːm/ accepted by or involving most people in a society Deaf children can often be included in
mainstream education.
59Pursue /pərˈsuː/ to continue doing an activity or trying to achieve She plans to pursue a career in politics.
something over a long period of time
60Credit /ˈkredɪt/ a successfully completed part of a course at a I don’t have enough credits to graduate.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
61Admission /ədˈmɪʃən/
62Clue /kluː/
63Program /ˈprəʊɡræm/
64Rusty /ˈrʌsti/
65Diploma /dəˈpləʊmə/
66Degree /dɪˈɡriː/
67Subject /ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/
68Course /kɔːrs/
69Class /klæs/
70Career /kəˈrɪr/
71Universisty /juːnəˈvɜːrsəti/
university or college
permission given to someone to enter a building
or place, or to become a member of a school, club
etc
information that helps you understand the reasons
why something happens
a course of study
if you are rusty, you are not as good at something
as you used to be, because you have not practiced
it for a long time
a document showing that a student has
successfully completed their high school or
university education
a course of study at a university or college, or the
qualification that is given to you when you have
successfully completed the course
an area of knowledge that you study at a school or
university
a series of lessons in a particular subject
a group of students who are taught together
in a class
Class is usually followed by a singular verb
a job or profession that you have been trained for,
and which you do for a long period of your life
career in
an educational institution at the highest level,
Women gained admission to the club only
recently.
Childhood experiences may provide a clue
as to why some adults develop eating
disorders.
Stanford University’s MBA program
My French is a bit rusty.
I’m hoping to get my teaching diploma this
year.
Applicants must have a degree in
Engineering.
My favorite subject is math.
Andy’s doing a one-year journalism course.
We’re in the same class for chemistry.
The class was working on some math’s
problems.
He realized that his acting career was over.
She’s at Cambridge University.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
where you study for a degree
72College /ˈk ɑːlɪdʒ/ a school for advanced education, especially in a Donna left school and went to art college.
particular profession or skill
73Faculty /ˈfækəlti/ a department or group of related departments the Engineering Faculty
within a university
74School /skuːl/ a place where children are taught His mother always used to pick him up from
school.
75Undergraduate /ˌʌndə a student at college or university, who is working second-year undergraduates
ˈɡrædʒuət/ for their first degree
76Graduate /ˈɡrædʒuət/ someone who has completed a university degree, a Harvard graduate
especially a first degree
77Postgraduate /ˌpoʊst someone who is studying at a university to get a Some 450 students, mainly postgraduates,
ˈɡrædʒuət/ master’s degree or a PhD were overseas students attracted from non-
EC countries.
78Exam invigilator is someone who is appointed by the examination
board and services for maintaining the proper
conduct of a particular examination in accordance
with the exam regulations. It is the duty of the
exam invigilator to watch the examination
candidates to prevent cheating during the
examination.[1] They are required to ensure that
all the exams are carried out according to the
rules set out by the exam board which allows each
candidate to sit for the examination under equal
conditions as other candidates throughout the
country.
You cannot ask them questions
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
79Digital environment
80In-person learning
81Blended learning
82Ed-tech
83Lag behind /læɡ bɪˈhaɪnd/
84To bridge /brɪdʒ/
85Subsidize /ˈsʌbsədaɪz/
86Dilute /dɪˈluːt/
87Higher-order
88Sound /saʊnd/
89Sub-optimal /sʌbˈɒptɪm(ə)l/
90Hard-wired
91Demographics/ˌdemə
An integrated communication environment where
digital devices communicate and manage the
content and activities within it
Any form of instructional interaction that occurs
“in person” and in real time between teachers and
students
Approach to learning that combines face-to-face
and online learning experiences
Hardware and software designed to enhance
teacher-led learning in classrooms
to move more slowly than someone or something Britain is lagging far behind the rest of
else so that you are behind them // to achieve less Europe on this issue.
than someone or something else // quedarse atrás
to reduce or get rid of the difference between two Alvin managed to bridge the gap between
things ballet and modern dance.
if a government or organization subsidizes a Farming is heavily subsidized by the
company, activity etc, it pays part of its costs government.
to make a quality, belief etc weaker or less An attempt to dilute the proposals
effective
involving reasoning of a high level. higher-order cognitive skills
sensible or good, and likely to produce the right The book is full of sound advice.
results
of less than the highest standard or quality. "sub-optimal working conditions"
if an attitude, way of behaving etc is hard-wired, The desire to communicate seems to be
it is a natural part of a person’s character that they hard-wired into our brains.
are born with and cannot change
details of the type of people that make up a When we look at the demographics of book
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
ˈgræfɪks/
92Proficiency /prəˈfɪʃənsi/
93Policy /ˈpɑːləsi/
94Agenda /əˈdʒendə/
95Policymaker /ˈpɒləsiˌmeɪkə/
Colocations
a medical certificate
a birth certificate
a marriage certificate
a death certificate
a share certificate (=proving what
shares someone owns)
issue a certificate (=officially provide
particular group, in particular their age, sex, and buyers and project forward the changes in
income. This term is used especially in marketing these groups, there is room for growth.
to talk about the groups of people who buy a
particular product (plural)
a good standard of ability and skill Nick’s proficiency with computers is well
known.
a way of doing something that has been officially The company has adopted a strict no-
agreed and chosen by a political party, a business, smoking policy.
or another organization
a list of problems or subjects that a government, Measures to combat terrorism will be high
organization etc is planning to deal with on the agenda.
someone who decides what an organizations or City policymakers found this definition easy
government’s policies will be to accept for several reasons.
Example
You can get a medical certificate that shows which vaccinations you've had.
In order to get a passport, you'll need your birth certificate.
He found a copy of his parents' marriage certificate.
According to his death certificate, he died aged 44.
She kept official letters and share certificates in a locked case.
The certificate will be issued upon payment of the fee.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
one)
Good grades If you study hard, you get good grades, and you get into good schools.
Bad grades If you get a bad grade, Mrs. Miller will help you until you can do better.
Low grades These boys receive low grades because they fail to turn in assignments.
High grades She got high grades in all her science subjects.
The top grade Ted got the top grade in his A-level maths exam.
grade A/B/C Applicants must have Grade A, B, or C in two GCSE subjects.
get a grade He had always gotten good grades.
achieve a grade Rick had achieved good exam grades.
a good degree (=that you pass at a Mature students are more likely to get a good degree.
good level)
a university/college degree For many jobs you need to have a university degree.
a first-class/second-class/third-class She was awarded a first-class degree
degree (=the level at which you pass a
degree at a British university)
an honours degree (=a British The ideal candidate will have an honours degree.
university degree that is above pass
level)
a first/undergraduate degree (=the First degrees usually take three or four years.
lowest level of degree)
a higher/postgraduate degree (=one He was offered a grant for a postgraduate degree.
that you take after a first degree)
a master's degree (=a higher degree for She's taking her master's degree.
which you study for one or two years)
a science degree (=in a science The government is encouraging more people to get a science degree.
subject)
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
an arts degree (=in a subject that is not
science)
a history/chemistry/law etc degree
a joint degree British English (=in
which you study two subjects)
a research degree (=a higher degree
for which you do your own research)
have a degree
hold a degree formal (=have one)
do/take a degree in something (=study
for a degree)
get/gain a degree
be awarded a degree formal (=get one)
a degree course
Degree level
take/do an exam (also sit an exam
British English)
pass an exam (=succeed in it)
fail an exam
do well/badly in an exam British
English, do well/badly on an exam
American English:
study for an exam (also revise for an
exam British English)
sail through an exam (=pass it easily)
scrape through an exam (=only just
She has an arts degree from Sussex University.
I decided to do a Maths degree.
a joint degree in Economics and Statistics
You will earn more if you have a college degree.
The ideal candidate will hold a degree in physical chemistry.
Not enough students are taking degrees in Physics.
She worked hard and got a good degree.
At the end of the three years, he was awarded a first-class honours degree.
I didn't enjoy the first year of my degree course.
Candidates should be educated to degree level.
We have to take exams at the end of each year.
Did you pass your final exam?
If you fail the exam, you can retake it.
Maria always did well in her exams at school.
She has to study for her exams.
Don’t worry - I’m sure you’ll sail through all your exams.
He managed to scrape through the exam and stay on the course.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
pass it)
flunk an exam American English I flunked all my first-year exams.
informal (=fail it)
cheat in an exam British English, cheat She was caught cheating in the exam.
on an exam American English:
retake an exam (also resit an exam If you don’t do well, you’ll have to retake the exam in January.
British English) (=take it again
because you did not do well the first
time)
a chemistry/French etc exam I knew I wouldn’t pass the German exam.
a written exam There is a written exam at the end of the course.
an oral exam (=in which you answer I have my French oral exams next week.
questions by speaking)
a mock exam British English (=one He did well in the mock exams.
that you do to practise for the real
exams)
a practical exam (=in which you have There’s a practical exam as well as a written one.
to make or do things)
a final exam (=at the end of a course) The students take their final exams in June.
the end of year/term exam British I knew I had to do well in the end of year exams.
English
high school exams Greg got good grades in all of his high school exams.
an entrance exam (=in order to enter a Jane passed the entrance exam but decided not to go.
school or university)
a professional exam (=to qualify in a Once you’ve passed your professional exams, you can start to build up your experience.
profession, for example to be an
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
accountant)
the bar exam (=in order to become a He is studying for the bar exam.
lawyer)
board exams American English (=in He failed his board exams in psychiatry.
order to become a nurse or doctor)
exam results The school achieves consistently good exam results.
an exam paper I’ve still got dozens of exam papers to mark.
an exam question Read the exam questions carefully before writing your answers.
exam revision I have to do my exam revision this weekend.
exam practice Schools say they have to spend too much time doing exam practice.
an exam essay/script (=that someone I’ve brought in some old exam scripts for us to look at.
has written during an exam)
exam technique (=good ways to Mr Frasier gave us some useful tips on exam technique.
succeed in exams)
exam marks Pupils were divided into classes with a similar range of ability, based on their previous
exam marks.
Don’t say ‘make an exam’ Say take an exam or do an exam.
Revise for an exam
Prepare for an exam
Sit for exam
the school curriculum The children carried out the project as part of the school curriculum.
the National Curriculum (=the
curriculum set by the government for
schools in England and Wales)
the primary/secondary/high school etc
curriculum (=for particular ages at
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
school)
the undergraduate curriculum (=for a
first degree at university or college)
the science/maths/history etc The English curriculum is divided into Language and Literature.
curriculum
a core/common curriculum (=the There has been a lot of debate on the content of the core curriculum.
subjects that everyone must study
because they are considered very
important)
an academic curriculum (=involving They unquestioningly accept the traditional academic curriculum.
studying from books, not practical
subjects)
a broad/broad-based/wide curriculum The school provides a broad curriculum with a rich choice of learning opportunities.
(=involving a wide range of different
types of subjects)
balanced (=with a mix of academic We want to ensure a balanced curriculum for all pupils.
and practical subjects)
narrow (=not broad enough) Many teachers complained that the new curriculum was too narrow.
plan/develop/design a curriculum Fifty academics have been involved in developing the new school curriculum.
follow a curriculum (=study the Five-year-olds now follow the National Curriculum.
subjects that are in a curriculum)
set up/establish a fund They have set up a fund to build a memorial to all those who died.
manage/administer a fund The fund is managed by an investment company.
launch a fund (=start it) They plan to launch an investment fund by raising $40m from investors.
a trust fund (=money that belongs to Proceeds from the sale of the house will go into a trust fund for the children.
one person, but is controlled by
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
another)
a pension fund (=for paying pensions) the country’s largest private pension fund
an investment fund (=for buying The building is currently owned by Argo Partnership, a Toronto-based investment fund.
shares, property, etc in order to make a
profit)
a campaign fund (=for helping a These social events help to raise campaign funds.
political party or person to get elected)
a memorial fund (=for remembering The work is being paid for out of the memorial fund launched after Morris’s death.
the life of someone who has died)
a benevolent/charitable fund (=for He contributed the sum of £1,500 to the benevolent fund.
giving help to poor people)
an appeal fund (=money collected to The appeal fund has now reached £65,000.
help people who are in a very bad
situation)
do your homework Paul, have you done your homework?
give (somebody) homework (also set The teacher gave them some homework to do by Monday.
(somebody) homework British
English)
help somebody with their homework I often have to help her with her homework.
hand in your homework (=give it to You must hand in your homework by Friday.
the teacher)
start/finish your homework You’re not going out until you’ve finished your homework.
hand in your homework (=give He always hands his homework in on time.
homework you have done to your
teacher)
biology/history/French etc homework The science homework was really hard.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
a piece of homework
Don’t say ‘make/write your
homework’.
take a test (also do/sit a test British
English)
pass a test (=succeed in it)
fail a test (also flunk a test American
English informal)
do well/badly in a test British English,
do well/badly on a test
give somebody a test
grade a test
a biology/history etc test
a spelling/reading/listening test
a driving test
a written test
a multiple-choice test (=in which each
question has a list of answers to
choose from)
an aptitude test (=a test that measures
your natural abilities)
an oral test
a test paper
a test result/score
a test question
Don’t say ‘make a test’
I still have one piece of homework left to do.
Say do your homework.
All candidates have to take a test.
She passed her driving test first time.
He failed the test and had to take it again.
I didn’t do very well in the first part of the test.
The students were given a reading test.
I spent the day grading tests.
On Monday we had a French test.
I didn’t do very well in the listening test.
A driving test can be a nerve-racking experience.
Selection was based on written tests in English and mathematics.
There is some debate about whether multiple-choice tests are a good way of assessing
student’s knowledge.
The oral test will consist of a conversation of about 10 minutes in German.
The teacher began handing out the test papers.
The test results are out on Friday.
Some of the test questions were really difficult.
Say take a test or do a test.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
take an examination (also sit an
examination British English)
pass an examination (=succeed in it)
fail an examination
study for an examination (also revise
for an examination British English)
do well/badly in an examination
cheat in an examination
a final examination (=at the end of a
course)
a written/oral examination
a chemistry/French etc examination
an entrance examination (=to enter a
school or university)
a mock examination (=a practice
examination to prepare for the real
one)
A-level/high school etc examinations
examination results
an examination paper
an examination question
examination revision
an examination script (=everything
that someone writes in an
examination)
examination marks
Do you have to take an examination in every subject?
I really hope that Suzie passes the examination.
Michael had never yet failed an examination.
I have been studying all week for the examination.
He did well in his examinations, and went on to study at MIT.
Any student caught cheating in an examination will be suspended.
My final examinations take place in June.
For French, there is an oral and a written examination.
Most of the pupils passed their science examination with flying colours.
He had now failed the college entrance examination twice.
Mock examinations help you to prepare for the real thing.
The school usually achieves good results in GCSE examinations.
You will receive your examination results in the post.
There will be a choice of questions on the examination paper.
Read the examination questions carefully before writing your answers.
I need to find somewhere quiet to do some examination revision.
I've just finished marking 200 examination scripts.
On average, girls achieved higher examination marks that boys.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
an examination pass To apply, you need at least two A-level examination passes.
have a qualification (also hold a You don't need to have any qualifications for this job.
qualification formal)
lack qualifications 40 percent of the prisoners lack any qualifications.
get a qualification British English I want to get the qualifications so that I can become a doctor.
(also gain/obtain a qualification
formal)
academic qualifications Eva had excellent academic qualifications.
educational qualifications Too many children leave school without any educational qualifications.
a teaching/medical/legal etc She has a degree and a teaching qualification.
qualification
a professional qualification (=one A professional qualification in accountancy would be an advantage.
relating to a professional job, such as a
teacher, lawyer etc)
a vocational qualification British You can study for a vocational qualification in the tourism industry.
English (=one relating to a skilled job,
such as a nurse or a builder)
formal qualifications (=official He has no formal qualifications.
qualifications rather than experience)
paper qualifications often We often find that paper qualifications are no guide to ability.
disapproving (=documents showing
that you have passed exams, rather
than actual experience of doing
something)
a recognized qualification (=one that is Trainees can work towards a recognized vocational qualification.
accepted by people as good)
good/excellent qualifications Good qualifications are a passport to success.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Good/ bad/ high/low grade
the top grade
grade A/B/C etc
get a grade
achieve a grade
a medical certificate
a birth certificate
a marriage certificate
a death certificate
a share certificate (=proving what
shares someone owns)
issue a certificate (=officially provide
one)
a good degree (=that you pass at a
good level)
a university/college degree
a first-class/second-class/third-class
degree (=the level at which you pass a
degree at a British university)
an honors degree (=a British university
degree that is above pass level)
a first/undergraduate degree (=the
lowest level of degree)
a higher/postgraduate degree (=one
that you take after a first degree)
a master's degree (=a higher degree for
If you study hard, you get good grades, and you get into good schools.
Ted got the top grade in his A-level maths exam.
Applicants must have Grade A, B, or C in two GCSE subjects.
He had always gotten good grades.
Rick had achieved good exam grades.
You can get a medical certificate that shows which vaccinations you've had.
In order to get a passport, you'll need your birth certificate.
He found a copy of his parents' marriage certificate.
According to his death certificate, he died aged 44.
She kept official letters and share certificates in a locked case.
The certificate will be issued upon payment of the fee.
Mature students are more likely to get a good degree.
For many jobs you need to have a university degree.
She was awarded a first-class degree.
The ideal candidate will have an honors degree.
First degrees usually take three or four years.
He was offered a grant for a postgraduate degree.
She's taking her master's degree.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
which you study for one or two years)
a science degree (=in a science
subject)
an arts degree (=in a subject that is not
science)
a history/chemistry/law etc degree
a joint degree British English (=in
which you study two subjects)
a research degree
have a degree
hold a degree formal (=have one)
do/take a degree in something (=study
for a degree)
get/gain a degree
be awarded a degree formal (=get one)
a degree course
degree level
take a course
go on a course
pass/fail a course
apply for a course
enroll on a course/put your name down
for a course British English (=to
arrange to officially join a course)
attend a course formal (=take part in a
course)
The government is encouraging more people to get a science degree.
She has an arts degree from Sussex University.
I decided to do a Maths degree.
a joint degree in Economics and Statistics
(=a higher degree for which you do your own research)
You will earn more if you have a college degree.
The ideal candidate will hold a degree in physical chemistry.
Not enough students are taking degrees in Physics.
She worked hard and got a good degree.
At the end of the three years, he was awarded a first-class honors degree.
I didn't enjoy the first year of my degree course.
Candidates should be educated to degree level.
I decided to take a course in Italian.
My company wanted me to go on a course in management skills.
If you pass the course, you get a diploma in psychology.
The following year she applied for a nursing course.
How about enrolling on a sailing course?
You’ll have to attend a course on how to deal with customers on the phone.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
withdraw from a course/drop out of a
course (=leave it without finishing it)
teach a course
run a course
offer a course
change (your) course (=at university or
college)
a language/art/design etc course
a full-time/part-time course
an elementary/intermediate/advanced
course
a one-year/two-year etc course
a short course
an intensive course (=in which you
learn a lot in a short time)
a crash course informal (=in which
you learn a great deal in a very short
time)
a training course
a vocational course (=that trains you to
do a particular job)
a college/university course
a degree course British English (also
an undergraduate course) (=a first
course at a university, which usually
lasts three years)
She had to withdraw from the course because of illness.
She is teaching an introductory course in Russian.
The course is run by the British Council.
The course is offered on a part-time basis.
Some students choose to change their course after the first year.
The school runs ten-week language courses three times a year.
There are also part-time courses for mature students.
an advanced course in art and design
She did a one-year teacher training course.
I did a short course on website design.
An intensive course in Russian is provided for those who do not already know the
language.
A husband was given a crash course in how to deliver a baby by a midwife on the phone.
If you are offered the job, you will attend a two-week training course.
a vocational course in architecture
students who fail their college courses
a three-year degree course
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
a correspondence course
a postgraduate course
an introductory course
an induction course
a refresher course
a foundation course
a sandwich course
a tailor-made course
a course tutor
course material
the course syllabus (=the plan of what
is taught on a course)
Don’t say ‘make a course’
a successful career
a distinguished/brilliant career (=very
successful)
a glittering career (=very successful,
especially in sport or acting)
a promising career (=likely to be
successful)
a political/medical/military etc career
a teaching/acting/sporting career
a professional career
somebody’s chosen career
have a career
make a career
(=in which you work at home, sending work to a teacher by post)
(=one you do after your first degree course)
(=for people who have never done a particular subject or activity before)
(=that you do when you start a new job or position)
(=short and intended to teach you about new developments in a subject)
(=a general course that students do in the first year at some universities)
(=that includes periods of work in industry or business)
(=one that is specially designed for someone)
I discussed it with my course tutor.
Teachers are provided with course material.
The school has recently introduced a new course syllabus.
Say do or take a course.
David had had a successful career in banking.
She retired last year after a distinguished career as a barrister.
Winning the gold medal was the highlight of her glittering career.
She gave up a promising career in advertising in order to look after her children.
The scandal ruined his political career.
Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
You have to be outstanding to have a professional career in music.
His parents encouraged him in his chosen career as a scientist.
All my sons had careers in education.
It isn’t easy to make a career in journalism.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
pursue a career (=try to make a
successful career)
begin/start out on/start a career
launch/embark on a career (=start one)
build a career (=make it develop)
change career
revive/resurrect your career (=make it
successful again)
somebody’s career takes off (=starts to
be successful)
career
development/advancement/progression
career opportunities
career prospects (=opportunities to get
a good job or a better position)
a career path (=a way of making a
career)
a career structure (=a system for
making progress in a career)
the career ladder (=the way to higher
positions in a career)
a career change/move
a career woman (=one whose job is
very important to her)
careers advice/guidance
a careers officer (=someone who gives
She left teaching to pursue a career as a psychologist.
Jacobson started his banking career in 1990.
Rita went to New York where she launched her dancing career.
She built her literary career by writing about crime.
People may change careers as many as seven times in their lives.
The singer is seeking to revive his pop career.
His career took off and he started making a lot of money.
A good job offers a program of training and career development.
Students often know little about the career opportunities available to them.
Good computer skills will improve your career prospects.
There’s no fixed career path for becoming an actor.
Teaching offers a clear career structure
Having children can disturb your progress up the career ladder.
After ten years in the job, I realized that I needed to make a career change.
Career women tend to marry later.
Most universities offer professional careers advice.
If you’re not sure what to do, why don’t you talk to a careers officer?
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
careers advice)
a career in journalism/politics/teaching At the age of 15, he knew he wanted a career in politics.
etc
go to university Her daughter was about to go to university.
be at university We were at university together.
study (something) at a university She studied law at Edinburgh University.
apply for university I applied for university without any real idea of what I wanted to do.
start university Some people take a year off before they start university.
leave university Students often find work soon after leaving university.
graduate from university (=leave after She graduated from Liverpool University in 2006.
getting a degree)
drop out of university (=leave before He dropped out of university in order to join a rock band.
finishing your course)
a university course He studied history at school and was now planning to take a university course.
a university student Thirty years ago 33% of university students were female.
a university graduate (=someone who She is a university graduate who speaks three languages.
has completed a university course)
a university lecturer/professor Her father was a university lecturer and her mother a teacher.
a university degree He was a qualified engineer with a university degree.
a university education I did not have the advantage of a university education.
a university department one of the oldest university departments in the country
the university campus (=the area of There were violent protests on university campuses.
land containing the main buildings of
a university)
go to (a) college After university I went to drama college for a year.
attend (a) college He was the first person in his family to attend college.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
finish (at) college
an art/music/drama college
an agricultural/secretarial/technical etc
college
a teacher training college
a military college
a Further Education/FE college
a tutorial college
a sixth form college
a college student/teacher/lecturer
go to school
attend (a) school
start school
leave school
send somebody to school
a state school British English, a
public-school American English (=a
school that gets its money from the
government)
a private school (also a public-school
British English) (=a school where
students pay to study)
somebody’s old school (=the school
someone went to when they were
young)
a local school (=a school near where
What are you going to do when you finish art college?
The Music College was founded in 1869.
I wanted a job in farm management so I went to agricultural college.
(=where you learn to be a teacher)
(=where you learn to be an officer in the army)
(=where adults can go to study, especially part-time)
(=where you can have private or small group lessons)
(=where students in Britain can go at 16, instead of a school)
a sixth-form college student
Did you go to school in Paris?
Some of the children had not attended school very regularly before.
Children in Britain start school when they are five.
He left school when he was 16.
His parents sent him to a private school.
Universities want to encourage more applicants from state schools.
He was educated at a private school.
He went back to his old school to give a talk to the children.
They sent their kids to the local school.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
someone lives)
a boarding school (=a school where children also live and sleep)
a day school (=a school where The school is both a boarding school and a day school.
children go during the day but go
home in the evenings)
a nursery school (=for children under 5)
an infant school (=for children aged 5 to 7)
a primary school (=for children up to Their children are still at primary school.
11)
a secondary school (=for children from 11 to 16 or 18)
a high school (=a school for students aged 14 to 18)
a comprehensive school (=a secondary school for all children)
a grammar school (=a secondary school for children who have passed an exam when they are 11)
school students Most school students have musical interests of some kind.
a school friend She met some old school friends.
a school uniform He was still wearing his school uniform.
the school holidays The trip will take place during the school holidays.
the school run (=the journey taking She had to be back in time for the school run.
children to and from school each day)
the school playground
the school library
the school hall
the school bus
the school curriculum Head teachers were asked to incorporate road safety education in the school curriculum.
school meals/lunches We provide good-quality school meals.
a school governor (=an elected person The school governors have appointed a new head teacher.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
who works with teachers to make
decisions about how a school is
organized)
the school board (=the group of people
who are elected to govern a school or
group of schools)
the school day
government/public/state policy
party policy
company/hospital/university etc policy
foreign policy
economic/fiscal policy
defence/energy/housing etc policy
a deliberate policy
a clear policy
a coherent policy (=one in which all
the parts of the policy work well
together)
formulate/develop a policy
make policy (=decide what it will be)
shape policy (=develop it or have an
influence on it)
adopt a policy (=use one)
implement a policy (=take action in
the way that has been decided)
pursue/follow a policy (=continue with
The courts have upheld the school board's right to dismiss striking teachers.
Most children are tired at the end of the school day.
Government spending is determined by government policy.
State ownership is party policy.
It is not company policy to offer refunds.
Support for human rights is a key element in our foreign policy.
The middle classes have suffered most as a result of government economic policies.
Our energy policies must put the environment first.
Some customers pursue a deliberate policy of delaying payment.
There was no clear policy on this matter.
A long-term coherent policy for industry is needed.
We try to formulate policies that will meet the needs of the people.
A committee of representatives makes policy.
These terrorist acts will not be allowed to shape our foreign policy.
He adopted a policy of radical reform.
Local government is responsible for implementing central government policy.
The organization is pursuing a policy of cost cutting.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
a policy over a period of time)
reverse a policy (=stop a policy and
change it)
a policy aims at something/to do
something (=tries to achieve
something)
a policy decision
a policy statement
a policy change
a policy issue
a policy maker (=someone who
decides on what it should be)
a policy objective
a policy initiative (=something done to
achieve a policy's goals)
have an agenda
set an agenda (=decide on the
problems you want to deal with)
put something on the agenda
agree an agenda
establish/create/provide an agenda
(=begin to have an agenda)
The new government set about reversing previous policies.
The policy aimed to reduce the budget deficit.
No policy decision can be made until the next meeting.
There has been no policy statement on this from the French government.
There have been numerous policy changes in recent months.
He rarely consulted him on general policy issues.
Policy makers have not dealt with the issue very effectively.
How can we best achieve our policy objectives?
The policy initiatives have focused on the inner cities.
Brown has an agenda for the university’s future.
The new government set an agenda for constitutional reform.
This incident has put the issue of racism firmly back on the agenda.
The meeting ended in chaos as representatives were unable to agree an agenda.
We need to establish an agenda for future research.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Phrases Examples
a change of/in policy This decision represented a major change in policy.
a shift in policy (=a small The shift in policy placed more emphasis on teachers' assessments of students' progress.
change)
a reversal of policy (=a The strength of this opposition forced a rapid reversal of policy.
change back to what it was
before)
be high on the agenda New measures to combat terrorism are high on the agenda.
be (at the) top of the Energy efficiency is top of the agenda.
agenda
be on the political agenda Immigration is an important issue on the political agenda.

Idioms Example
know something like the He knows this place like the back of his hand
back of your hand (=to
know a place very well)
be an old hand (at He is an old hand at this game
something) (=to have a lot
of experience of
something)
Know a thing or two He knows a thing or two about dogs
(=they know a lot about it
or are good at it.)
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Bit rusty His French is a bit rusty
have your head screwed He got his head screwed on right
on right (to think or act in
a smart and sensible way)
If you know what's what, You have to know what's what and when to draw the line.
you know the important
things that need to be
known about a situation.
Not have a clue He hasn't got a clue
Get the hang of it He hasn’t got the of it yet.

Schooldays: What Was Your Primary School Experience Like? (Video)

To find out how far the education system had changed over the years, the Ministry of Education of Singapore
invited students from the 1950s to today to complete an activity card that asked, "What was your primary school
experience like?". They gave all those students a type of brochure that had a lot of boxes that had written inside
different primary school experiences, so they should scratch out the ones that described an experience that they had
lived when they were in primary school. For example: sing the national anthem every day, clean classrooms,
mother tong, etc. At the video goes we are able to compare the differences and similarities between the different
years that those students went to primary school.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
For example: the oldest person only learned one instrument in primary school, while the kids that are nowadays in
primary school have learnt three instruments so far. They didn’t talk with their teachers either what they wished to
be when they grew up, but newer generations did discuss it.
“It gives them another perspective on what education is about.” “It is not only about studying and not enjoying”.
“I’ve seen today as a student and as an educator, the option and pathways are so diverse today”
With each generation, the school experience has grown more varied. Yet, even with the changes, our values live on.

Why Finland’s schools outperform most others across the developed world?
(video)
Finland’s school system for years has been among the world’s best. And yet primary school students will spend
half as much time in classroom as Australian. “When you go to the first grade, when you are seven years old, the
number of hours is 20 hours a week. It’s the minimum. As children grow up, they have more hours, but it is still
less than in many countries in Europe or in the world. In Finland, it’s individual teachers who decide how the
curriculum is taught, including how much technology should feature in their classrooms. The schools have a
student-run café where kids work in it since they are little. In Finland, school lunches, like books and excursions,
are free. The kids select what they want, sit down with their friends and teachers to eat, before they clean up after
themselves. Kids play outside. Some play a raucous version of soccer, some play basketball while others wait for
the hockey rink to open. They are plenty of options for bad weather days too. The facilities in the school are
amazing. Where the kids can play at lunchtime, there is a ping pong table, a pool table and for the cold winter days
they have got a room full of bean bags and couches and there’s even a PlayStation in the corner. It seems like such
a rich school, so people could think that they have more money than other schools. But they do not. It is the same
money for everyone. In Finland, schools are not allowed to raise private funds or to charge fees from parents. All
schools are equally funded from taxation. In their system everything is free for the students. They do not collect any
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
money from the parents. They want their schools to be equal and have equal opportunities to arrange the education.
Therefore, the finance system needs to be equal and treat equally all the schools. There are regular exams in
Finland but the results of these tests are not published and shared. We have additional tests but the big difference is
that they don’t compare schools, which school is better for the better grades. They just use the information to
evaluate themselves. But perhaps the single biggest difference in Finnish education is the standard of teaching. All
teachers have to have a Master’s degree to be teachers. In Finland, a career as a teacher is highly sought after.
Parents believe that teachers and authorities of the school know what it is better for their children. They accept they
are not teachers and do not interfere with the teachers work. In Finland, there’s little anxiety about finding the right
school for their child. They trust that they have very good schools so they do not need to do any research. It is not a
question in Finland. Finland is a vastly different country with a tiny homogenous society. But it’s education success
must surely offer some lessons for the rest of the countries. “Try to build the system that allows people to trust in
you”. Their investment in teachers is an obvious place to begin. The society respects the teachers and it means also
the parents respect the teachers and they’ve don’t question the Teachers

10 reasons why Finland's education system is the best

No standardized tests, no private schools, no stress. Finland's education system is consistently ranked best in the
world.
 Finland's intellectual and educational reforms have completely revolutionized their education system.
 The Finnish system doesn't encourage cramming or standardized tests.
 Finland's common-sense practices and a holistic teaching environment strives for equity over excellence.
The mechanization and rigid assembly-line methods we use today are spitting out ill-prepared worker clones,
rudderless adults and an uninformed populace. Many people are familiar with the stereotype of the hard-working,
rote memorization, myopic tunnel vision of Eastern Asian study and work ethics. Many of these countries, like
China, Singapore, and Japan amongst others routinely rank in the number one spots in both math and science.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Some pundits point towards this model of exhaustive brain draining as something Americans should aspire to
become. Work more! Study harder! Live less. The facts and figures don't lie – these countries are outperforming us,
but there might be a better and healthier way to go about this.
Finland is the answer – a country rich in intellectual and educational reform has initiated over the years a number of
novel and simple changes that have completely revolutionized their educational system. They outrank the United
States and are gaining on Eastern Asian countries.
Are they cramming in dimly-lit rooms on robotic schedules? Nope. Stressing over standardized tests enacted by the
government? No way. Finland is leading the way because of common-sense practices and a holistic teaching
environment that strives for equity over excellence.

o No standardized testing
Staying in line with our print-minded sensibilities, standardized testing is the blanket way we test for subject
comprehension. Filling in little bubbles on a scantron and answering pre-canned questions is somehow supposed to
be a way to determine mastery or at least competence of a subject. What often happens is that students will learn to
cram just to pass a test and teachers will be teaching with the sole purpose of students passing a test. Learning has
been thrown out of the equation.
Finland has no standardized tests. Their only exception is something called the National Matriculation Exam, which
is a voluntary test for students at the end of an upper-secondary school (equivalent to an American high school.) All
children throughout Finland are graded on an individualized basis and grading system set by their teacher. Tracking
overall progress is done by the Ministry of Education, which samples groups across different ranges of schools.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
o Accountability for teachers (not required)
A lot of the blame goes to the teachers and rightfully so sometimes. But in Finland, the bar is set so high for
teachers, that there is often no reason to have a rigorous “grading" system for teachers. "There's no word for
accountability in Finnish… Accountability is something that is left when responsibility has been subtracted."
All teachers are required to have a master's degree before entering the profession. Teaching programs are the most
rigorous and selective professional schools in the entire country. If a teacher isn't performing well, it's the
individual principal's responsibility to do something about it.
The concept of the pupil-teacher dynamic that was once the master to apprentice cannot be distilled down to a few
bureaucratic checks and standardized testing measures. It needs to be dealt with on an individual basis.
Formal teacher evaluation is not required in Finland and rarely occurs. Teachers are expected to use professional
judgment take collective responsibility for the education of their students, and be accountable to their peers. Some
municipalities have, however, created tools for teacher evaluation that principals can use. In Helsinki, for example,
principals use a common form to appraise teachers’ practice. This form focuses on key teaching practices, but does
not rate teachers based on student test results.

o Cooperation not competition

While most Americans and other countries see the educational system as one big Darwinian competition, the Finns
see it differently.
“Real winners do not compete."
Finland's educational system doesn't worry about artificial or arbitrary merit-based systems. There are no lists of
top performing schools or teachers. It's not an environment of competition – instead, cooperation is the norm.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education

o Make the basics a priority

Many school systems are so concerned with increasing test scores and comprehension in math and science, they
tend to forget what constitutes a happy, harmonious and healthy student and learning environment. Many years ago,
the Finnish school system was in need of some serious reforms.
The program that Finland put together focused on returning back to the basics. It wasn't about dominating with
excellent marks or upping the ante. Instead, they looked to make the school environment a more equitable place.
Since the 1980s, Finnish educators have focused on making these basics a priority:
-Education should be an instrument to balance out social inequality.
-All students receive free school meals.
-Ease of access to health care.
-Psychological counseling
-Individualized guidance
Beginning with the individual in a collective environment of equality is Finland's way.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
o Starting school at an older age
Here the Finns again start by changing very minute details. Students start school when they are seven years old.
They're given free rein in the developing childhood years to not be chained to compulsory education. It's simply
just a way to let a kid be a kid.
There are only 9 years of compulsory school that Finnish children are required to attend. Everything past the ninth
grade or at the age of 16 is optional.
Just from a psychological standpoint, this is a freeing ideal. Although it may anecdotal, many students really feel
like they're stuck in a prison. Finland alleviates this forced ideal and instead opts to prepare its children for the real
world.

o Providing professional options past a traditional college degree

The current pipeline for education in America is incredibly stagnant and immutable. Children are stuck in the K-12
circuit jumping from teacher to teacher. Each grade a preparation for the next, all ending in the grand culmination
of college, which then prepares you for the next grand thing on the conveyor belt. Many students don't need to go to
college and get a worthless degree or flounder about trying to find purpose and incur massive debt.
Finland solves this dilemma by offering options that are equally advantageous for the student continuing their
education. There is a lesser focused dichotomy of college-educated versus trade-school or working class. Both can
be equally professional and fulfilling for a career.
In Finland, there is the Upper Secondary School which is a three-year program that prepares students for the
Matriculation Test that determines their acceptance into a university. This is usually based off of specialties they've
acquired during their time in “high-school"
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Next, there is vocational education, which is a three-year program that trains students for various careers. They
have the option to take the Matriculation test if they want to then apply to university.

o Finns wake up later for less strenuous schooldays

Students in Finland usually start school anywhere from 9:00 – 9:45 AM. Research has shown that early start times
are detrimental to students' well-being, health, and maturation. Finnish schools start the day later and usually end
by 2:00 – 2:45 AM. They have longer class periods and much longer breaks in between. The overall system isn't
there to ram and cram information to their students, but to create an environment of holistic learning.

o Consistent instruction from the same teachers

There are fewer teachers and students in Finnish schools. You can't expect to teach an auditorium of invisible faces
and breakthrough to them on an individual level. Students in Finland often have the same teacher for up to six years
of their education. During this time, the teacher can take on the role of a mentor or even a family member. During
those years, mutual trust and bonding are built so that both parties know and respect each other.
Different needs and learning styles vary on an individual basis. Finnish teachers can account for this because
they've figured out the student's own idiosyncratic needs. They can accurately chart and care for their progress and
help them reach their goals. There is no passing along to the next teacher because there isn't one.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
o A more relaxed atmosphere
There is a general trend in what Finland is doing with its schools. Less stress, less unneeded regimentation and
more caring. Students usually only have a couple of classes a day. They have several times to eat their food, enjoy
recreational activities and generally just relax. Spread throughout the day are 15 to 20-minute intervals where the
kids can get up and stretch, grab some fresh air and decompress.
This type of environment is also needed by the teachers. Teacher rooms are set up all over Finnish schools, where
they can lounge about and relax, prepare for the day or just simply socialize. Teachers are people too and need to be
functional so they can operate at the best of their abilities.

o Less homework and outside work required

According to the OECD, students in Finland have the least amount of outside work and homework than any other
student in the world. They spend only half an hour a night working on stuff from school. Finnish students also don't
have tutors. Yet they're outperforming cultures that have toxic school-to-life balances without the unneeded or
unnecessary stress.
Finnish students are getting everything they need to get done in school without the added pressures that come with
excelling at a subject. Without having to worry about grades and busy-work they are able to focus on the true task
at hand – learning and growing as a human being.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Is there a governmental body responsible for the school curricula and school regulations?
USA UK Argentina
The Executive Branch agency The Department of Education. Private -Ministry of National Education
responsible for federal education schools do not have to follow the national -Federal council of Education
programs of all types and levels and curriculum. -Law 26.206
headed by the Secretary of Education, a -In 1088, the National Curriculum for The national Gov sets the national
Presidential Cabinet appointment. The England was introduced curricula
Department of Education does not -Independent schools are not required to -Unified structure
function as a governing body but follow the National Curriculum in detail.
operates in cooperation with state and
local authorities.
There is no national structure,
curriculum or governing law; all laws
and policies are set and enforced by the
50 state governments and the over
14,000 local school districts. All states
and school districts have set the
secondary school graduation level as
the completion of 12th grade, and the
common name for the secondary
graduation qualification is the High
School Diploma.

-There is no national curriculum

-Three levels of control:
 State Department of Education
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
(basic curriculum)
 School District (content and
credits)
 Individual Schools (how to teach
content)

How are schools funded?

USA UK Argentina
Private Funding for private schools is Charge fees to the parents of the Charge fees to the parents of
generally provided through pupils the pupils
student tuition, endowments, -Private companies Two categories:
scholarship/school voucher -Semi- private
funds, and donations and -fully-private
grants from religious -The Gov’t pays teacher’s
organizations or private salaries
individuals.
Public According to the US Funded by the local authority or Funded by the government.
Department of Education, the directly from the government.
Federal Government
contributes about 8% to
funding US public schools. To
fund the remaining balance
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
per student in the public
education System, state and
local governments are
mandated to allocate money
towards education.
-Federal government (7%)
-State government (49%)
-Local government (44%)
Other: sponsors (charter
schools)

What is the compulsory school leaving age in these countries?

Compulsory school age USA
The age at which compulsory
schooling ends varies between
16 and 18 years of age, the
most common being 16. It
depends of the state
School education does not end
until age 18, or completion of
the 12th year of school and
those who leave school at the
end of compulsory education
without earning a secondary
(high school) diploma do not
receive any certificate or
UK Argentina
The age at which compulsory At the age of 18, some students
school ends its at 16. 17.
Then from the age of 16 to 18
people must do one of three
things:
1-Full time education eg college
2-Start an apprenticeship or
trainee program
3- 20 hours work/volunteer while
also doing a part time education
or training
17-18
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
recognition - they are
considered to be secondary
school drop-outs.

17 - 18

What are the levels of compulsory education in the USA, the UK and Argentina?
USA UK Argentina
Nursery Not compulsory (Not compulsory) Compulsory (for the state’s
schools)
Kindergarten Not compulsory Compulsory (called reception) Compulsory
Primary School Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
Elementary school 6/7 – 10/11 Key Stage 1 [Years 1 and 2] Key 6 grades
Stage 2 [Years 3-6]
Secondary School Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
Junior High school Key Stage 3 3 years (basic education)
11/12 – 13/14 [Years 7-9] 3 years (vocational
High School Key Stage 4 specialization)
14/15 – 17/18 [Years 10 and 11]
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
What exams are taken at different stages of education?
USA UK Argentina
Primary School Primary school children in Year 2 Standard Attainment Tests “Pruebas Aprender”
and Year 6 are required to take (SAT`s) Key Stage 2
new Standard Attainment Tests -At the end of each stage,
(SATs) in keeping with the assessments are done
revised national curriculum. They
are tested in reading, spelling,
punctuation, grammar and Maths.

Standardized tests for public

schools
Secondary School the SAT (formerly known as the Entrance exam is for entering “Pruebas Aprender”
Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the
private schools or State selective Argentina does not have an
ACT (the American College schools exam to take at the end of the
Testing), both of which are GCSES (General certificate of secondary school in order to
nationally recognized tests taken
secondary education) It is an enter to college, each
at high-school level. examination that covers the core university has its own
subjects such as English, Maths introductive course.
-Standardized tests for public and Science, as well as elective
school subjects that students choose.
Students are encouraged to take
exams for five subjects.
-A LEVELS
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
What certificates/qualifications are awarded at different levels of education?
USA UK Argentina
Primary School ----- ------- ------
(elementary school)
Secondary School High School Diploma -General Certificate of -Secondary School Diploma
IB Diploma Secondary Education (GCSE) (casic education)
-NVQ (National Vocational, -Secondary School
Qualification) Certificate (specialization)
-IB Diploma

Cheat Sheet or Open Book: Putting Tests to The Test

The interviewee moved over from traditional exams to open book only exams. He let them use everything apart
form their own textbook he wanted his students to write down their own textbooks. It encouraged them to stay more
organized as it went, he got good student feedback and made their discussions more interesting. Grades do not
change much with open books exams. Data shows that it lowers student’s anxiety and that is better for the student.
There are not tests of knowledge, there are tests of application. To let students, think out loud or work in pairs
shows greater improvement also, it alleviates their pressure and concern.
Most of the professors will use a cheat sheet and, you know, students tend to prefer the cheat sheet because the
professors who opt for that option can give absolutely brutal exams if it's open book.
In a way, the type of exam really makes very little difference.
But the anxiety level, that makes a difference. Jeff, in your experience, are students - get very anxious about the big
test? Again, you've got the same correlation across students that do that. Some of them psyche themselves up. Some
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
of them psyched themselves out. And it doesn't matter what type of test it is. I absolutely agree that the type - the
good students tend to do well no matter what, and the bad students are - have a struggle no matter what.
And again, it's the psyched-up for a test and don't handle stress well versus the one - but the ones who don't handle
stress well who have - who always have a time pressure, like the open-book, open time-limit, they really appreciate
that and - because they - the time pressure is gone. So, a lot of it, I think, is just the time pressure correlation as
well.
It's very promising that our results show that there isn't a huge difference between the three types of exams because
when you give an online exam, that's going to be automatically pretty much an open-note, open-book situation.
And - however, our results suggest that, again, it doesn't mean that it's going to be an automatic A for the student
and that the retention is going to be same as if it is a closed book.
With the open-book, open-note exam, cheating would be lower because you have all the material with you. There's
no need to check your neighbors.

'Britain’s exam-obsessed narrow education system is failing to prepare students

for success in life'
The UK may have improved its maths scores, but measures of achievement in science and happiness are down,
which is a clear sign that Britain’s “narrow” education system is failing, says Professor Tom McLeish
Ask any teacher for the secret to helping any child fulfill their intellectual potential, they will most likely tell
you that they must be fed, clothed, secure, loved, nurtured and fulfilled – with teaching styles and testing some way
down the list. Psychological research has shown that pupils’ scientific achievement and artistic creativity are deeply
affected by poor nutrition, emotional neglect or living in a state of anxiety. Yet many of our schools have had to
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
adopt policies and practices that seemingly undermine what should be their principal purpose, namely to produce
socialized, knowledgeable and secure young adults.

So, I was disappointed to discover within the OECD PISA scores of 15-year-old pupils schooled around the
world, that the happiness of UK pupils had fallen since 2015 and on measures of “life satisfaction”, they were
ranked 69 out of 72 countries surveyed. While our students’ mathematics results have improved over the period, in
the sciences our scores have also fallen – although the UK’s ranking had improved relative to other countries.
There is a misguided but persistent belief that exam success leads to happiness. The reverse is more often true;
when we put wellbeing first it will often increase pupils’ capacity to learn.
As part of its role in asking challenging questions about how suited our education system is for the future, the
Royal Society commissioned research to understand parents’ perceptions of the education process. It found that
parents often frame their children’s education as a series of exam hurdles to clear. Parents’ satisfaction about
education appears to decrease as their children near the end of their schooling – as the examination regime
intensifies and the pressure on their children to perform well increases. Parents viewed education systems outside
of Britain that had less of a focus on assessment more positively.
Ahead of its 2017 joint report on young people’s mental health, the Commons Education and Health Select
Committees heard concerns that schools and colleges were pursuing academic attainment, or more specifically,
exam results, to the detriment of children and young people’s mental health. In their final report, the Committees
concluded that such stress erodes pupils’ desire to study.
Education exists to prepare young people for their future, not only to find good jobs and flourish in them, but
also to ensure their mental wellbeing, and equip them to be active participants in democracy and society.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
In its current form, the UK’s narrow education system, with early specialization and a heavy focus on
assessment and outcomes, is falling short of this wider objective – as the findings from yesterday’s PISA study
reflect. A broader education up to the age of 18 would contribute to a more productive economy, greater social
harmony balanced with a healthy level of competition. A wider set of study options would mean that more young
people could try out more subjects for longer, combining sciences and mathematics with humanities and the arts,
including music, – and have room to develop and explore the technical and creative skills where many employers
say the UK workforce is lagging behind.
Finally, the wellbeing of our school children is linked to that of their teachers; the UK’s poor teacher recruitment
and retention indicates that we need to do more to ensure that our teachers, too, feel supported and valued, and able
to create the best environment for children to learn.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Problems with the current educational system Potential improvements of the system
- Psychological research has shown that pupils’ -A broader education up to the age of 18 would
scientific achievement and artistic creativity are deeply
contribute to a more productive economy, greater social
affected by poor nutrition, emotional neglect or livingharmony balanced with a healthy level of competition.
in a state of anxiety. Yet many of our schools have hadA wider set of study options would mean that more
to adopt policies and practices that seemingly young people could try out more subjects for longer,
undermine what should be their principal purpose, combining sciences and mathematics with humanities
namely to produce socialized, knowledgeable and and the arts, including music, – and have room to
secure young adults. develop and explore the technical and creative skills
where many employers say the UK workforce is
- There is a misguided but persistent belief that exam lagging behind
success leads to happiness.

- Parents’ satisfaction about education appears to

decrease as their children near the end of their
schooling – as the examination regime intensifies and
the pressure on their children to perform well increases.

-the Commons Education and Health Select

Committees heard concerns that schools and colleges
were
pursuing academic attainment, or more specifically,
exam results, to the detriment of
children and young people’s mental health

- The UK’s poor teacher recruitment and retention

indicates that we need to do more to ensure that our
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
teachers, too, feel supported and valued, and able to
create the best environment for children to learn.

Exams of British Students

acronym name age
KS1 Key Stage 1 SATs officially assess your child’s math’s and English abilities. 7
(Between 5 and 7 years) Although these are formal tests, they are done in a
relaxed way; in fact, most children are not even aware they are taking a test.
Children take this test at the end of Year 2: English reading – Mathematics –
English grammar, punctuation and spelling (optional)
KS2 Key Stage 2 SATs. These assessments take place in the May of year 6 (between 11
9 and age 11) and are more formal written tests in English (grammar,
punctuation, spelling and reading) and maths. Each paper is 45 minutes long.
KS3 Key Stage 3 SATs. It is part of the national curriculum taught to children 14
between the ages of 12 and 14 in the first three years of secondary school. It sets
out the subject areas covered and also how pupils are tested and the standard they
should achieve.
GCSE O Level The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a set of exams taken 16
in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and other British territories. Most students
taking their GCSEs study between 5 and 12 subjects. All pupils have to study
English, mathematics and science until they are 15 – 16.
GCE A Level (AS – The general Certificate of Education (GCE) Advances Level, or A Level, is a 17 - 18
A2) main school leaving qualification in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It’s available as an alternative qualification
in other countries. Students generally study for A- levels over a two-year period
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
IB International Baccalaureate. It’s an exam for international students. In Bilingual 17 - 18
schools in general students can sit for this exam. All the subjects that you have in
Spanish you take them in English. When you finish secondary school.
SCE Standard Grade Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grade 16
SCE Higher (Higher Scottish Certificate of Education Higher and Advanced Higher grade 17 - 18
and Advanced
Higher)

Exams in the UK Exams in the US Similar Exams

SATs exams in secondary school
SATs exams of English, Math and GEPA (US) (Grade Eight
Science in primary school Proficiency Assessment) and SATs
in primary school (BR) where in
both exams students have to
demonstrate their level of English
and Maths to be placed in the right
classes in high school.
SATs are mostly of math and GCSE O Level, you take them when
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Grades in college, classes in college
AP exams (advanced placement)
English, you take it when you are you are 15 or 16 and you have to do
about 15 or 16, it determines if you them of every subject
go to college.
This exam is just to demonstrate
your general knowledge of math and
English. You can mostly get
accepted in most universities by
having a good performance in your
SATs
20% participation British college exams are like
10%homework Argentinian college exams. The final
20% quizzes exam grade is your final grade
30% tests regardless what your grades during
20% final exam the year.
All these count for the grade They have one month and then they
The final exam is the next day of the have exams per week.
last day of college A lot of individual study
They pay for the ASTs They do not pay for GCSE O Level
They exams are grade by their They have exams invigilators
teachers.
They are nice to their teachers They do not treat their teachers very
because they grade their papers well
They have exam invigilators
Closest thing they have to A levels
They are not mandatory. You only
take AP classes if you are elective to
chose AP classes, and those are the
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
toughest of all the courses.
IF they pass the test with more than
4/5 they get college credits, and they
can sue them at their university of
choice
In many classes they can have cheat Some few exams are open book
sheets
All schools will take the exams on
the same day.
They have hand check to a lot of If someone dies during the exam,
exams. They can ask them to see everyone has to pause the exam.
their hands and if they have
ANYTHING written they would be
expelled
They use number 2 pencils since They use pens (black pens always)
many exams are standardized (like They do not have exams that are
the SATs) and a scantron corrects multiple choice
it.)
Multiple choice exams (SATs 75%
MULTIPLE CHOICE – (ACT 100%
multiple choice)
Higher standard

https://youtu.be/HmpbfN7HkIo (-16:06) me quedé en este minuto

GPA: Great Point Average. You divide grades into five categories A (4)-B (3)-C (2)-D (1)-F (0)
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Your average is important for college acceptance. This is how well did you go in school. Every class and grades
students do and get are important for the GPA. That is why in some school they are courses called Bert courses,
easy A courses that boost your GPA up.
Extra credit: For example in exams, there is an optional extra credit question that adds points to your exams.
Public universities: (paid by the state) US universities and ARG universities
State universities UK universities
Public universities: (private) US universities and ARG universities
Private universities: (private)

Complete the card with some ideas you have read or know about teaching at home.

Reasons why parents opt for homeschooling their

kids:

Some parents may realize that optimal learning

 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
does not usually happen in very crowded classes
with little time for recess or little distribution of
resources for the arts, especially in urban areas
where resources can be very scarce.

If some kids develop some abilities later; for

instance walk and talk, and are put in a standard
schooling environment they tend to be strongly
encouraged to go to therapy for their “problem”.
https://pixabay.com/
However, in a home school environment children
are able to develop at their own pace.

Activities carried out by homeschoolers:

If their parents allow them, homeschool kids can

have a lot of activities, mostly social around, for
instance: soccer, instrument, art classes,
shakespeake classes, boy scouts, girl scouts

People in charge of teaching homeschoolers:

Peoople do not need an advanced degree to be

 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
their child’s best teacher. The library, the Internet,
museums, and so many other programs can help
people teach their childs if homeschooling is right
for their families.

Benefits & drawbacks:

Benefits: A lot of teachers, especially in public

schools, are teaching towards testing standards,
and that is not necessarily the best way for kids to
learn. With homeschooling they have the
opportunity to learn at their own pace, without the
pressure of just learning to pass exams.

Many homeschool kids will stop being homeschool

when they are in highschool to attend regular
school, what many homeshooled teenagers do is
start going to community college and taking classes.
Then they use those credits and transfer to college.
Nowadays, more and more colleges are seeking out
homeschooled kids to apply to the universities
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
because home schooled kids tend to be very
focused, and they tend to excel in college.

The schedule tends to be more flexible. It allows

people to be with their kids more if they wanna be
more time with them and it allows for a level of
involvement with their kid’s learning which
traditional schooling simply does not allow.

“Their sense of learning and adventure goes hand

in hand with our sense of presence and guidance

Drawbacks: The transition of high school to college

can be a more frightening one than for children
who have attended to regular schools.

Listening: Parents On The Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling

https://www.npr.org/2013/08/06/209512313/parents-on-the-pros-and-cons-of-homeschooling

Reasons why parents opt for homeschooling their kids -Some learned from an educational psychologist that kids get
their values from whoever they spend the majority of their time
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Activities carried out by homeschoolers
People in charge of teaching homeschoolers
Benefits
with so. So, they though that they would like to transmit their
own values than they learn the values from six-year-olds.
-Overcrowded classrooms, stressed out teachers, ill prepared
teachers, behavioral problems, these are all factors that made the
educational transition very difficult for some children when they
moved from other cities.
- The number one reason parents give is the desire to provide
religious or moral instruction and that the second most popular
reason, closely followed behind, was a concern about the school
environment.
-There are many, many resources. The vast majority of families
recognize their own gaps and they go make utilization of the
resources that are available to them.
-They have to know their families and know themselves because
homeschooling is a lot of work.
- There are those potential pitfalls of maybe some lack of direction
or lack of academic discipline that you might need to, you know,
gaps that you might need to fill.
-You can give your children critical thinking. That desire for
learning and that willingness. Initiative is something that's taught,
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
in a situation, as well. You know, at home.
Drawbacks -Parents may not be as equipped to teach every subject to the
level that kids feel they need to complete in the kind of modern
world or to have the kinds of choices that they want to have for
themselves.
-The opportunities of abuse, fewer eyes, things could be going on
and nobody would know.
-Kids may feel that they have something to prove at college. That
they may not be smart enough or that they have been missing
something. It is harder for them to adapt to college. They have
been used to studying in one particular way through their entire
lives, and may not adapt to classrooms full of people.
- Many of the parents who choose to home school their kids don't
necessarily know the how
-There is financial aspect to take into account. There is an
investment that is needed. We're talking about tutors. We're
talking about other classes. So there has to be an assessment as to
who is going to do the majority of the teaching.

Reading: Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Aspects Positive Negative
Curriculum As there is no state curriculum that Critics of homeschooling warn that
you’re required to follow when untrained teaching and lack of a set
homeschooling - although some curriculum means that
home educating parents choose to do homeschooled children could end up
so anyway - parents have freedom to with gaps in their education which
decide what to teach their children would be problematic if they wanted
and when. This means “there’s far to reintegrate into the school system
more scope for encouraging children at a later point. Lack of exam
to follow their own interests, preparedness can also impede their
whatever they may be,” says home chances of university admission.
education advocate and author Sue
Fairhead.
Academic standards Another positive highlighted by
those that practice homeschooling is
the transient nature of the classroom
meaning that learning can take place
at any time and in any place, with
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Teaching of values/ religious beliefs/
historical perspectives
Pace of learning
the wider world acting as an
extension of the classroom. A
homeschooled child “can learn about
geology at the seaside, chemistry in
the kitchen and biology at a wildlife
centre”,
The absence of a formal structure
means that homeschooled students
be involved in directing their own
learning. A growing movement
called unschooling frames children
as the leaders of their education with
parents working as support. This
means the child will learn at their
own pace instead of that of their
class, and develop their sense of
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
independence, resourcefulness and
responsibility.
Costs For many families, one parent
leaving employment to educate their
children at home represents a huge
commitment of time and finances.
Social skills Children can miss out socially by
not learning around peers. The Good
Schools Guide emphasizes the
importance of ensuring that home
educated children form outside
friendships and join clubs with
regular meetings.

Higher Education
The Argentinian education system has four levels and higher education –or tertiary level– is the last one. In this
level, both college and university education are included. One of the most important aspects of higher education in
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
our country is that public universities are tuition-free and open to anyone. Another important aspect is that, in
Argentina, there are no standardized examinations after high school. Consequently, the admission to universities is
defined by each university and particularly by each degree. A student in Argentina can be awarded with three kinds
of degrees: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degree. To achieve a postgraduate degree, students have to
study from one to six years after obtaining their graduate degree. The length of graduate degrees depends on the
field, but they usually require five years of studying. In our university, for instance, students have to complete 34
courses to be awarded with a translation degree.

The US higher education system

The US educational system celebrates independence, ambition, inclusiveness and competitiveness. The US higher
educational system also has its own names for each year of an undergraduate degree. The first year of degree is
known as a freshman year, the second year of degree as a sophomore year, the third as the junior year, and the final
as the senior year. A typical American student will complete twelve years of education before progressing to
college to gap
a bachelors degree which takes four years to complete, some students continue to graduate school, to study for a
master’s degree, which takes an additional two to three years. US undergraduate degree usually takes 4 years of
full-time study. The academic year runs for 9 months with two semesters per year. Each semester students’ study
four to five courses and each course they study will earn 3-4 academic credits. People will be expected to complete
120-130 credit hours in order to complete an undergraduate degree.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education

Self-Explanatory sentences
Pursue: Although med school is really expensive, she really wishes to pursue a career in medicine.
Credit: She’s just in sophomore year; she obviously does not have enough credits to graduate yet.
Admission: Lucy does not understand why Sandford refused her admission, but the brochure was very clear that
Clue:
Program: (synonym course of studies)

Applying technology in the field of education

Advantages Disadvantages
-Information Highway -Access to inappropriate content
Powerful search engines allow an organized and simply The biggest concern when it comes to the use of
way to find the answers that students may need for technology in schools is how easy pornographic,
assignments and projects violent, and other inappropriate materials can be
accessed and viewed.
-Makes classes more interesting
When students are able to integrate computer learning -Inevitable cheating
into their normal schedule, they became much more Cell phones have made cheating easier than ever. They
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
exited to learn. Through games for example: kahoot, do not longer have to figure out how to write all of the
quizez answers down, they can just look them up! They can
take pictures of the books and their notes.

-Not every student has the same opportunities to have

access to technology.
Computer and phones are a luxury that many people
cannot afford, and if these become necessary for the
education system, everyone who does not

School technology struggles to make an impact

Information and communication technology has revolutionized virtually every aspect of our life and work.
Students unable to navigate through a complex digital landscape will no longer be able to participate fully in the
economic, social and cultural life around them. But those in charge of educating today's "connected" learners are
confronted with challenging issues, from information overload to plagiarism, from protecting children from online
risks such as fraud, violations of privacy or online bullying to setting an adequate and appropriate media diet. We
expect schools to educate our children to become critical consumers of internet services and electronic media. And
we expect them to raise awareness about the risks that children face online and how to avoid them.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
The Pisa assessments now provide first-of-its-kind internationally comparative analysis of the digital skills that
students have acquired, and of the learning environments designed to develop these skills.
These data show that the reality in schools lags considerably behind the promise of technology.
In 2012, 96% of 15-year-old students in OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
countries reported that they have a computer at home, but only 72% reported that they use a desktop, laptop or
tablet computer at school, and in some countries fewer than one in two students reported doing so.
'Disappointing'
Even where computers are used in the classroom, their impact on student performance is mixed at best.
Students who use computers moderately at school tend to have somewhat better learning outcomes than students
who use computers rarely. But students who use computers very frequently at school do a lot worse in most
learning outcomes, even after accounting for social background and student demographics. The results also show
no appreciable improvements in student achievement in reading, mathematics or science in the countries that had
invested heavily in information and communication technology (ICT) for education.
And perhaps the most disappointing finding is that technology seems of little help in bridging the skills divide
between advantaged and disadvantaged students.

Put simply, ensuring that every child attains a baseline level of proficiency in reading and mathematics seems to do
more to create equal opportunities in a digital world than expanding or subsidizing access to hi-tech devices and
services.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Last but not least, most parents and teachers will not be surprised by the finding that students who spend more than
six hours on line per weekday outside of school are particularly at risk of reporting that they feel lonely at school ,
and that they arrived late for school or skipped days of school in the two weeks prior to the Pisa test.
One interpretation is that building deep, conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking requires intensive
teacher-student interactions, and technology sometimes distracts from this valuable human engagement.

Copy and paste

Another interpretation is that schools have not yet become good enough at the kind of pedagogies that make the
most of technology; that adding 21st-Century technologies to 20th-Century teaching practices will just dilute the
effectiveness of teaching.
If students use smartphones to copy and paste prefabricated answers to questions, it is unlikely to help them to
become smarter. Educators who want to ensure that students become smarter than a smartphone need to think
harder about the pedagogies they are using to teach them.
Technology can amplify great teaching but it seems technology cannot replace poor teaching.
The impact of technology on education delivery remains sub-optimal, because we may over-estimate the digital
skills of both teachers and students, because of naive policy design and implementation strategies, because of a
poor understanding of pedagogy, or because of the generally poor quality of educational software and courseware.

The results suggest that the connections among students, computers and learning are neither simple nor hard-wired;
and the real contributions ICT can make to teaching and learning have yet to be fully realized and exploited.
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
But the findings must not lead to despair. School systems need to get the digital agenda right in order to provide
educators with learning environments that support 21st Century pedagogies and provide children with the 21st
Century skills they need to succeed in tomorrow's world.
Teacher Training
Technology is the only way to dramatically expand access to knowledge. Why should students be limited to a
textbook that was printed two years ago, and maybe designed 10 years ago, when they could have access to the
world's best and most up-to-date textbook?
Equally important, technology allows teachers and students to access specialized materials well beyond textbooks,
in multiple formats, with little time and space constraints. Technology provides great platforms for collaboration in
knowledge creation where teachers can share and enrich teaching materials.
Perhaps most importantly, technology can support new pedagogies that focus on learners as active participants.
To deliver on the promise’s technology holds, countries will need a convincing strategy to build teachers' capacity.
And policy-makers need to become better at building support for this agenda.
Given the uncertainties that accompany all change, educators will always opt to maintain the status quo. To
mobilize support for more technology-rich schools, policy needs to become better at communicating the need and
building support for change.
Education systems need to invest in capacity development and change-management skills, develop sound evidence
and feed this evidence back to institutions, and back all that up with sustainable financing.
Last but not least, it is vital that teachers become active agents for change, not just in implementing technological
innovations, but in designing them too.
 Step 1: Step2: Step 3:
Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Blended Learning Self-paced structure Mastery-based
grading
Students access Students learning at Students
content through their own pace progressing through
teacher-designed within each unit of the course only
blended study. when they have
instruction. Students complete demonstrated
Students watch classwork based on mastery
instructional the notes, Students do exit
videos and collaboratively or tickets
complete guided on their own. independently to
notes This allows for… show they’ve
This leads to …. grasped key
concepts.
An exit ticket is like
a mini quiz. It is just
a couple of
questions at the end
of the lesson that
really succinctly
Video A Student-Centered Model of measure the
student’s ability to
Blended Learning excecute the
activities they have
learned. And so,
when a student has
mastered an exit
ticket, they move
forward, when they
don’t, they have a
re-teach. And then
they try a new exit
ticket until they
have achieved
mastery.
 The Math teacher
When I came to Eastern, I was sort of shocked with
how broad the variety of learning levels was. We
Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
had students who had experienced a lot of trauma
or are behind on certain skill sets, or are ahead in
certain skills sets, have different subsets of
experience when they go home. I quickly found out
that my traditional model was not actually
effective. So, at that time I realized I had to make a
shift and I wanted to start by getting rid of the
lecture at the beginning of my class.
Classes are a controlled chaos environment. Some
students are starting a new lesson, watching
instructional video, taking their guided notes. You
have other kids working on actual lesson
assignments, collaborating on white boards, really
problem-solving. And then you see other students
working on exit tickets to achieve mastery.
So, because I am not delivering a lecture, I’m now
free to work with students for the entirety of the
class period.
In our motto, if a student is experiencing distress
and needs emotional support it does not disrupt the
larger classroom environment. I am able to pivot
and work with that student, discuss what’s going on
while the other students are able to access the
content and flourish.
The History teacher
The video instruction makes me feel like I’ve been
able to clone myself. Instead of needing to express
a concept and then explain it again. I am giving the
instruction on the video which frees me up to work
one-on-one or in small groups.
I’ve had students that sadly, in a traditional
classroom, they simply would have failed the
quarter due to their number of absences for
legitimate reasons and often sometimes really
heartbreaking reasons. With this way of teaching,
 Language Vocabulary Unit 4: Education
Would you like to try this approach to learning? Why? Or Why not?