Education

Academic collocations for learning, studying, and educational contexts

Introduction

Academic English relies heavily on specific collocations. Students "sit an exam" not "write an exam" (in British English), "do research" not "make research". These combinations are essential for academic success.

This chapter covers education collocations from school and university to self-study and lifelong learning.

Themes

All Collocations in This Chapter (28)

• sit an exam To take a formal test or examination
• pass an exam To achieve a satisfactory result in a test or examination
• fail an exam To not achieve a satisfactory result in a test or examination
• take notes To write down important points during a lecture, meeting, or while reading
• do homework To complete schoolwork assigned to be done outside of class
• do research To study a subject carefully in order to discover new information
• skip a class To deliberately not attend a lesson or class
• attend a lecture To be present at a formal educational talk given by a lecturer or professor
• drop out To leave school, university, or a course before finishing it
• enrol on a course To officially register to take a course of study
• get a degree To successfully complete a university qualification
• distance learning A method of studying where students do not need to attend a school or univers...
• higher education Education at university level or above, typically after the age of eighteen
• primary school A school for children between the ages of about five and eleven
• academic year The period of the year during which students attend school or university, usu...
• term time The periods during the year when schools and universities are in session
• student loan Money borrowed from the government or a bank to pay for university education
• school uniform The standard set of clothes that pupils at a particular school are required t...
• pay attention To concentrate carefully on what someone is saying or doing
• learn by heart To memorise something so completely that you can repeat it without looking
• gain experience To acquire knowledge or skill through doing or being involved in something
• broaden horizons To expand the range of your knowledge, interests, or experiences
• steep learning curve A situation where you have to learn a lot of new things in a short time
• play truant To stay away from school without permission
• extracurricular activities Organised activities that take place outside of normal lessons, such as sport...
• further education Education after secondary school but below university level, such as college ...
• mature student A student who is older than the typical age for their course, usually over 21...
• gap year A year taken off between finishing school and starting university, typically ...