Useful vocabulary in Education

Bachelor’s degree  The first degree that students get when they study at the university for three or four years. 
Higher degree  A degree that is taken after a first degree, at a more advanced level. For example, a Master’s Degree (MA, Master of Arts), or a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). 
Dropouts  Students who left school before completing basic education. 
Basic education  It refers to a variety of educational activities that take place in a variety of settings (formal, informal and non-formal). These activities aim to meet basic learning needs like writing, reading. 
Compulsory education  A number of years or age span during which children are legally obliged to attend school. 
Formal education  Formal education refers to the education that students receive in an educational institution using a programme. This type of education leads to certification (e.g., diploma /certificate /degree). 
Informal education  Informal education is learning that takes place outside the educational institution in the context of daily life and work. It is a lifelong process whereby people acquire knowledge, skills, and values from daily experience, family, the Internet, mass media, etc. 
Non-formal education  Non-formal education usually results from a programme but it is not usually evaluated and learners don’t get a certificate. Specifically, the term non-formal education refers to adult literacy. This type of education is voluntary. 
Self-directed learning  It is a type of learning in which a learner plans, implements and evaluates what he/she is learning without the help of anyone. 
Vocational education  Vocational education is the kind of education that prepares students for careers or professions. 
Vocational school  A school where learners learn and develop skills that are necessary for particular jobs. 
Literacy  The ability to read and write. Nowadays, a literate person is someone who is able to use a personal computer as well. 
Adult literacy  Teaching adults who are illiterate reading, writing, and arithmetic. 
Adult education (continuing education)  Education for adults that is available outside the formal education system, for example at evening classes. 
Educator  A person whose job is to teach or educate people. 
Educationalist  A person who has a special knowledge of the principles and methods of teaching. 
Private school  A school where the education of students is paid for by their parents. This type of school doesn’t receive any money from the government. 
Public school  A school that is paid for by the government and provides free education. 
Compulsory education  A period of education that is required of all people and is imposed by the government. 
Play school  A school where kids younger than five years old go to play and learn. 
Primary school  A school for pupils between the ages of 5 and 11. 
Primary education  The first stage traditionally found in formal education, beginning at about age 5 to 7 and ending at about age 11 to 13.  
Secondary education  Education beyond the elementary grades; provided by a high school /a secondary school. 
Secondary school  A school for young people between the ages of 11 and 16 or 18. 
High school  A school for young people between the ages of 11 and 18. 
Polytechnics  They are similar to universities, but in polytechnics, the courses tend to be more practically-oriented. 
Tertiary education  Refers to education at the college or university level. 
Timetable (UK) / Schedule (US)  A list of the times when classes in school happen. 
Principal (UK) / Headmaster (US)  The person who is in charge of a college or a university. A teacher who is in charge of a school 
Staff  A group of people working together for the same school, college, university, organization, etc. 
Coursebook (UK) / Textbook (US)  A book that teaches a particular subject and that is used especially in schools and colleges. 
Homework  Work that a teacher gives to students to do at home. 
Course  A series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject, usually leading to an exam or qualification. 
Curriculum  The subjects which are included in a course of study or taught in an educational institution; a school, a college, or an institute. 
Syllabus  A list of the topics, books, etc. that students have to study in a particular school subject or a particular subject at university. 
E-learning  It is a type of education and training that uses information technology such as computers and the Internet. 
Active learning  In this type of learning, students learn by doing things rather than sitting at their desks reading, listening to a teacher, or doing exercises inside or outside of school. 
Mental agility  The ability to think quickly and clearly. 
Library  A building where a collection of books, CDs, newspapers, etc. are kept for people to read, study or borrow. 
Seminar  A class at university or college when a teacher and a group of students meet so as to study and discuss something. 
Lecture  A formal event at university or college where a larger group of students listen to a lecturer and take notes. 
Student counsellor  A person who is trained to listen to students and give them pieces of advice about their personal problems. 
Tutor  A teacher who works with a student / a learner or a small group of students. 
Professor  A university teacher of the highest rank, i.e., a senior university academic 
Lecturer  Somebody who teaches at a university or college. 
Freshman  A student in his or her first year at a university or college. 
Sophomore  A student in the second year of a course of study at a college or university. 
Junior  A third-year student at university or college. 
Senior  A fourth-year student at college or university. 
Postgraduate (UK) / Graduate student (US)  A student pursuing a higher degree after a bachelor’s degree (e.g. BA, BSc).
Tuition fees  The amount of money that students pay to go to a private school, university, etc. 
Scholarship  An amount of money paid by a school, university, etc. to a student who has a lot of ability, but not much money. 
MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)  A course of study that is made available over the Internet. It is usually followed by a large number of learners. 
Pedagogy  The study of the methods and activities of teaching 
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