You will build a strong foundation in essential education vocabulary, academic achievement terms, and expressions for describing learning styles and systems. You will also learn collocations, how to use each word in context, and example sentences that help you express your ideas confidently in IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Education is one of the most frequently discussed topics in IELTS Speaking Part 3. Examiners expect you to use precise vocabulary to talk about:
Types of schools
Levels of education
Methods of learning
Academic success and challenges
The purpose and value of education
Global education trends
Mastering these words and phrases will help you give more detailed, organized, and impressive answers.
Definition: Education that is required by law for children of certain ages.
Example:
“In many countries, compulsory education lasts until the age of sixteen.”
Common Collocations:
compulsory education system
compulsory schooling
compulsory subjects
How to Use in IELTS:
“When I was younger, my country had a compulsory education system, so everyone had to attend school until they were sixteen.”
Definition: The subjects and topics that are taught in a school or educational program.
Example:
“The school curriculum now includes computer science as a compulsory subject.”
Common Collocations:
national curriculum
core curriculum
broaden/narrow the curriculum
hidden curriculum (the unofficial lessons, values, and perspectives students learn)
How to Use in IELTS:
“In my view, the national curriculum should be flexible enough to adapt to the needs of modern society.”
Definition: An outline of the topics, books, and assignments for a particular course or subject.
Example:
“Students received a detailed syllabus at the beginning of the semester.”
Common Collocations:
course syllabus
exam syllabus
set/cover a syllabus
update/revise the syllabus
How to Use in IELTS:
“If the syllabus is too rigid, it can make learning less interesting for students.”
Definition: Success or progress in education, usually measured by grades, certificates, or awards.
Example:
“Academic achievement is often considered when students apply for scholarships.”
Common Collocations:
high/low academic achievement
academic performance
measure academic achievement
recognize academic achievement
How to Use in IELTS:
“Although academic achievement is important, I believe that creativity and critical thinking are equally valuable.”
Definition: Activities that students do outside their regular classes, such as sports, music, or volunteering.
Example:
“Extracurricular activities help students develop social and leadership skills.”
Common Collocations:
participate in extracurricular activities
a wide range of extracurricular activities
extracurricular program
How to Use in IELTS:
“In my opinion, schools should encourage students to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, as it helps with their overall development.”
Definition: A way of studying in which teachers and students are not physically present in a classroom, often using the internet.
Example:
“Distance learning became very popular during the pandemic.”
Common Collocations:
distance learning program
online learning platform
access to online learning
advantages/disadvantages of distance learning
How to Use in IELTS:
“While distance learning offers flexibility, it can also make students feel isolated from their peers.”
Definition: The money paid for instruction, especially at a college or university.
Example:
“Many families struggle to afford university tuition fees.”
Common Collocations:
increase/reduce tuition fees
pay tuition fees
free tuition
How to Use in IELTS:
“High tuition fees can discourage talented students from pursuing higher education.”
Definition: Money given to a student to help pay for their education, usually based on academic achievement or need.
Example:
“She received a full scholarship to study at a prestigious university.”
Common Collocations:
win/receive a scholarship
scholarship program
apply for a scholarship
merit-based scholarship
How to Use in IELTS:
“Scholarships make education more accessible to students from low-income backgrounds.”
Definition: A student who leaves school or college before finishing their studies; the proportion of students who do this.
Example:
“The school is trying to reduce its dropout rate.”
Common Collocations:
high/low dropout rate
prevent dropouts
school dropout
How to Use in IELTS:
“A high dropout rate is a serious problem in some regions, especially among disadvantaged students.”
Definition: Education or training that prepares people for specific jobs, often involving practical skills.
Example:
“Vocational training is an excellent option for students who want to learn a trade.”
Common Collocations:
vocational school
vocational course
receive vocational training
promote vocational education
How to Use in IELTS:
“In some countries, vocational training is more popular than academic education, as it leads directly to employment.”
Definition: Different ways in which people learn, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning.
Example:
“Teachers should be aware of different learning styles in the classroom.”
Common Collocations:
adapt to learning styles
identify learning styles
cater to various learning styles
personalized learning styles
How to Use in IELTS:
“Schools should try to adapt their teaching methods to suit a variety of learning styles.”
Definition: The process of evaluating or testing students’ knowledge, skills, or progress.
Example:
“Continuous assessment allows teachers to track students’ progress throughout the year.”
Common Collocations:
continuous assessment
formative/summative assessment
assessment criteria
assessment method
How to Use in IELTS:
“I think continuous assessment is fairer than a single final exam.”
Definition:
Private education refers to schools or colleges that are funded by private individuals or organizations, not the government.
State education refers to schools or colleges funded and run by the government.
Example:
“Some people believe that private education offers better facilities than state education.”
Common Collocations:
attend private/state school
the quality of state/private education
private tuition
How to Use in IELTS:
“There is often a debate about whether private education is superior to state education.”
Definition: Education at a university or college, usually after secondary school.
Example:
“Higher education is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.”
Common Collocations:
access to higher education
pursue higher education
higher education institution
How to Use in IELTS:
“More and more people are choosing to pursue higher education because of better career prospects.”
Definition: The idea that people should continue to learn throughout their lives, not just while they are young.
Example:
“Lifelong learning is essential in a rapidly changing world.”
Common Collocations:
promote lifelong learning
be committed to lifelong learning
culture of lifelong learning
How to Use in IELTS:
“Governments should promote lifelong learning to help people adapt to new technology and job requirements.”
Understanding common word partnerships (collocations) makes your language sound natural and increases your band score. Here are some to practice:
achieve academic success
raise standards
complete a course
take an exam
improve literacy rates
face academic pressure
access quality education
develop critical thinking skills
broaden one’s knowledge
provide equal opportunities
Examples:
“It’s important for schools to provide equal opportunities for all students.”
“Teachers help students develop critical thinking skills through group discussions.”
“Many children in rural areas struggle to access quality education.”
What are the benefits of compulsory education?
Sample Answer:
“I believe compulsory education guarantees that every child has the chance to develop basic literacy and numeracy skills. This provides a strong foundation for further academic achievement and helps to reduce inequality in society.”
How important are extracurricular activities in a student’s life?
Sample Answer:
“Extracurricular activities are extremely important because they help students learn teamwork, leadership, and time management skills. Participating in activities outside the syllabus can also reduce academic pressure and make school life more enjoyable.”
Do you think distance learning is as effective as traditional classroom learning?
Sample Answer:
“I think distance learning offers flexibility and convenience, especially for people with busy schedules. However, it may lack the social interaction and immediate feedback that traditional classroom learning provides. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the student’s learning style.”
Why do some students drop out of school?
Sample Answer:
“There are many reasons for high dropout rates. Some students face financial difficulties and cannot afford tuition fees, while others may struggle academically or feel that school is not relevant to their future career goals. Providing vocational training and scholarships can help reduce dropout rates.”
How can governments promote lifelong learning?
Sample Answer:
“Governments can promote lifelong learning by offering free or subsidized courses for adults, encouraging employers to invest in staff development, and raising awareness about the benefits of continuous education. A culture of lifelong learning can help individuals keep their skills up to date.”
Mistake: “He has a good education background.”
Correction: “He has a good educational background.”
Mistake: “She is studying in a university.”
Correction: “She is studying at a university.”
Mistake: “The school provides many curriculums.”
Correction: “The school provides a broad curriculum.”
Compulsory = mandatory, required, obligatory
Curriculum = course content, study program, syllabus (not always exact)
Assessment = evaluation, appraisal, test, exam
Extracurricular activities = after-school activities, non-academic activities
Dropout = early school leaver, student who leaves school before graduation
a. Syllabus
b. Scholarship
c. Assessment
d. Lifelong learning
e. Vocational training
___: The process of judging a student’s progress
___: A document with course topics and assignments
___: Training for a specific job
___: Education that continues throughout your life
___: Financial support for education based on merit or need
Many students apply for a __________ to help pay their tuition fees.
In my country, __________ education is provided free of charge.
Some people prefer __________ training to university because it prepares them for practical work.
The __________ includes all the subjects taught in a school year.
Good __________ skills are essential for academic success.
“Describe the education system in your country. What do you think are its main strengths and weaknesses?”
“Do you think academic achievement is the most important goal of education? Why or why not?”
“Should governments provide free higher education? What are the pros and cons?”
“In my opinion, …”
“It is widely believed that …”
“One major advantage of … is that …”
“A possible solution could be …”
“Compared to …, …”
“For example, …”
“On the other hand, …”
“This means that …”
“To sum up, …”
Mastering education vocabulary helps you give detailed, fluent, and logical answers in IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Use a mix of academic terms, collocations, and natural expressions for higher marks.
Remember to practice using words in full sentences and respond to real IELTS questions for best results.
Don’t be afraid to personalize your answers by talking about your own experiences or your country.
Prepare a 1-minute answer to the following IELTS Speaking Part 3 question using as many key vocabulary words as possible:
“What changes would you like to see in your country’s education system?”
Try to include words like: curriculum, compulsory, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, tuition fees, assessment, vocational training, and lifelong learning.