School and Study — Unit 12, Beginner English
School subjects, the education system, exams and homework, classroom objects, and be good at + subject.
Reading: A Day at School
My name is Ahmed. I am 14 years old. I go to a secondary school near my home. I study many subjects at school. My favourite subject is science. I like doing experiments in the science lab. I also like maths. I am good at numbers. I don't like history very much. I think it is boring.
In England, children start primary school at age 5. They go to secondary school at age 11. Students can leave school at 16. Some students stay until 18. Then they go to university.
My school has many teachers. My English teacher is very kind. My maths teacher is strict but fair. I have a lot of homework every evening. I do my homework in my bedroom. I have a desk and a chair in my room. I keep my books and pens on my desk. I have a dictionary and a calculator. They help me with my studies.
My parents help me with my homework sometimes. My mother is a teacher too. She teaches primary school children. She helps me with English and history. My father helps me with maths.
Next month I have three exams: maths, biology and geography. I am a bit worried about geography, because I got a bad mark in the last test. My teacher said, "Don't worry. You can pass. Read the textbook and ask me questions."
My timetable is busy. On Monday I have PE, ICT and chemistry. On Friday afternoon I have art and music. Art is my second favourite lesson, after science.
After secondary school I want to go to university and study medicine. It is difficult and I need very good results.
My older brother is at college. He studies engineering. He says university is very different from school: nobody checks your homework, so you must study alone. I think that will be hard for me.
Vocabulary from this unit
| Subject | Pronunciation | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| maths | /mæθs/ | you learn about numbers, calculations and shapes | I'm good at maths. |
| English | /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/ | you learn to read, write and speak English | We have English lessons every day. |
| history | /ˈhɪstəri/ | you learn about the past | I like history — it's interesting. |
| geography | /dʒiˈɒɡrəfi/ | you learn about countries, rivers and mountains | Geography is my favourite subject. |
| science | /ˈsaɪəns/ | you learn about plants, animals and the world | We do experiments in science class. |
| biology | /baɪˈɒlədʒi/ | you learn about living things | In biology, we study animals and plants. |
| chemistry | /ˈkemɪstri/ | you learn about chemicals and substances | I like chemistry but it's difficult. |
| physics | /ˈfɪzɪks/ | you learn about energy, forces and light | Physics is about how things work. |
| ICT | /ˌaɪ siː ˈtiː/ | you learn about computers and technology | We use computers in ICT lessons. |
| PE | /ˌpiː ˈiː/ | you do sports and exercise | PE is short for Physical Education. |
| art | /ɑːt/ | you learn to draw and paint | She's good at art — she can draw well. |
| music | /ˈmjuːzɪk/ | you learn to sing and play instruments | I have music lessons on Wednesday. |
| Stage | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|
| nursery school | 2–4 | very young children play and learn |
| primary school | 5–11 | children learn the basics |
| secondary school | 11–16 or 18 | older children study many subjects |
| college | 16+ | you can study after you leave school |
| university | 18+ | you study for a degree |
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| lesson | /ˈlesən/ | a period of time when you learn | We have six lessons a day. |
| teacher | /ˈtiːtʃə/ | a person who teaches | My teacher is very kind. |
| student | /ˈstjuːdnt/ | a person who studies | There are 25 students in my class. |
| class | /klɑːs/ | a group of students | Our class is very friendly. |
| homework | /ˈhəʊmwɜːk/ | work you do at home | I have a lot of homework tonight. |
| exam | /ɪɡˈzæm/ | an important test | I have an exam tomorrow. |
| test | /test/ | a short exam | We have a test every Friday. |
| pass | /pɑːs/ | to do well in an exam | I hope I pass my exam. |
| fail | /feɪl/ | to do badly in an exam | I don't want to fail the test. |
| mark | /mɑːk/ | a score or grade | I got a good mark in my exam. |
| result | /rɪˈzʌlt/ | the final mark in an exam | My results were very good. |
| degree | /dɪˈɡriː/ | a qualification from university | She has a degree in history. |
2 more vocabulary sections in the full unit.
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Beginner — roughly CEFR A0–A1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.