Education Vocabulary and Phrases

As you probably know we are a chain of English language schools in top locations around the world. Attending a course in an English-speaking country is the best way to learn English. On your course you will hear and learn real English, the everyday English that native speakers really use. Here are three conversations which are related to schools and education, especially university education.

Understanding conversations relating to school

Read through these seperate short conversations paying careful attention to the bold phrases. Can you guess what they mean from the context of the conversation? To check your understanging, answer the eight comprehension questions at the bottom of the page.

Conversation 1

Charlene: This is so exciting! I can't believe that we're going to be spending a year abroad in London. I'm psyched about attending Dr. Fauxter's lectures on natural history!

Liana: Are you kidding, Charlene? If you act like a geeky bookworm over there, I'm going to pretend I don’t know you. I'm going to London to party!

Abigail: You know, you should really use your time there to visit museums and stuff. You can party anywhere. The best part about living in another country is soaking up the local culture.

Conversation 2

Waldo: Hey, Jeremy. Do you have any idea how to complete the assignment that was given to us at the last lecture?

Jeremy: Yeah, sure. I thought the directions were pretty straightforward. Weren't you paying attention?

Waldo: I must have spaced out. Sometimes I can't keep my eyes open when I listen to our professor talk. He's so boring!

Hank: Don't worry about it Waldo. It's not due until the end of the semester. Didn't the professor say it was for extra credit anyway?

Jeremy: Hmmm. Doesn't it seem strange that extra credit work has been handed out so early in the semester?

Hank: You're right. I have a bad feeling about this.

Conversation 3

Professor Vogel: Herman, I would like to have a word with you about your performance recently.

Herman: Okay, sure. Am I in some kind of trouble? Is it about my slipping grades?

Professor Vogel: Well, as you know, your grades on the last 2 tests have been terrible. To be honest, I'm really concerned about you. You used to be at the top of the class. Is something going on?

Herman: Well, things have been hectic lately. My mother is having some problems financially, so I picked up a part-time job. I've been working nights to help out.

Professor Vogel: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm planning on running a study group on Sunday afternoons from now until the end of the semester. Unfortunately, you're not my only student who is falling behind. Would you be interested in attending?

Herman: Thanks, Professor Vogel. I think that's exactly what I need to pull my grades back up.

Now answer these comprehension questions:

• Converstaion 1: 1. What does it mean if you are "psyched" about something?
  
  You are thinking very hard about it.
  You are very excited about it.
  You have been seeing a psychiatrist.
  You cannot figure out how it works.
  
  
• 2. What does Liana mean when she says, "If you act like a geeky bookworm over there, I'm going to pretend I don't know you."?
  
  She will forget Charlene because she will meet a lot of new people.
  She will be embarrassed about being Charlene's friend.
  She will only pretend to be Charlene’s friend.
  
  
• 3. What does "soaking up culture" mean?
  
  To tell people about your culture.
  To stand outside in the rain.
  To behave badly because you are in a different country.
  To observe, enjoy, and become involved in the local culture.
  
  
• Converstaion 2: 4. What does "straightforward" mean?
  
  Difficult to grasp.
  Quite complicated.
  Easy to understand or follow.
  Directly in front of you.
  
  
• 5. What does "space out" mean?
  
  To not understand something
  To work towards becoming an astronaut.
  To let one's mind wander and think about other things.
  To receive the wrong information.
  
  
• 6. Why did Hank say, "I have a bad feeling about this."?
  
  He thinks he shouldn’t share information about how to do homework.
  Hank thinks the assignment is very hard.
  Hank thinks that the class is going to be extremely difficult.
  Hank feels guilty about doing extra credit assignments.
  
  
• Converstaion 3: 7. What happens when your grades are slipping?
  
  You are no longer performing well.
  You have lost your old test papers.
  Your grades are slowly improving.
  You are going to fall over.
  
  
• 8. What does it mean if you are at the top of your class?
  
  You have some of the highest test scores in your class.
  You are the only student who comes to class every day.
  You are jealous of other students.
  You sit in the front row in the classroom.