IELTS Vocabs - Education

Education
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Are you studying English at a school?
Michel: Yes  I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school  I attend classes three times a week 
to attend classes: to go to classes
private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a time as possible
Examiner: Would you say you are a good student?
Susan: I’m OK I think  I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I’m keeping up with my studies  plus I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful when learning a language  
to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
to learn something by heart: to memorize it
Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at school?
Theo: Yes  I liked school  it was an ordinary state school  nothing special  a single-sex school  which I’m not sure I liked  but the teachers were great  I had lots of friends and I never played truant like some pupils there 
a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex school)
state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
Part 2-style task
Describe a time during your education that you really enjoyed. You should say:
when this period was
where you were
what you were studying at the time
and say why you were so happy.
Caroline:  I’d like to tell you about my time at university  I was a mature student  I didn’t go to university until I was 25  and it was my first time away from my parents so it was very exciting  I was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a challenge  some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years  plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy  and sitting exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really enjoyed higher education  learning about a subject I loved  history  and the social life was great as well  I don’t think I’ve ever had so many friends  I had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral and I know my parents were really proud  so yes  that was a really happy time  I’m thinking of doing a Masters Degree soon  though that might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now 
bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work
to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself financially
to sit an exam: to take an exam
a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her academic degree
higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school or secondary school
masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic course
distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What qualities do you think a good teacher has?
Anna: They should be patient  they should be subject specialists and be able to explain the subject clearly  they should give feedback quickly  for example not hang on to essay for ages like some of my teachers 
to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach
Examiner: What are the advantages of studying on a distance learning course?
Florrie: It’s a more flexible way of studying especially if you have a job  tuition fees are usually cheaper  but you have to be very motivated  and I would imagine more people fall behind with their studies compared to  face-to-face classes 
tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
Examiner: Do all children get equal opportunities in education?
Julie: In my country I think it is quite equal but in the UK I’ve heard that most people who go to the top universities have studied at public schools  you have to be very rich to study in a school like that   they’re usually boarding schools as well so the fees are enormous 
boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
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