Education is a topic we’re all familiar with—it revolves around students, learning, schools, and the subjects we engage with daily. Whether discussing the latest trends in education or the highs and lows of school life, the right vocabulary can make a significant difference. In this article, I’ve compiled a list of useful educational collocations that are particularly beneficial for IELTS writing. Take a look and please add any that you think I’ve overlooked!
01 / Study and Education
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Acquire knowledge | Learn new things | Students should actively acquire knowledge throughout their lives. (The Guardian) |
| It's important to learn new things every day. (NPR) | ||
| Develop skills | Build skills | Programs aim to develop skills that are in demand in the workforce. (Los Angeles Times) |
| You can build skills through practice. (CNN) | ||
| Expand horizons | Broaden your perspective | Traveling can help expand horizons and cultural understanding. (BBC) |
| Reading can really broaden your perspective. (The Atlantic) | ||
| Get a well-rounded education | Receive a balanced education | A good school should help students get a well-rounded education. (USA Today) |
| It's important to receive a balanced education. (The New York Times) |
02 / Types of Education
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary education | Higher education | Tertiary education is crucial for many careers. (NPR) |
| Many pursue higher education to advance their skills. (CNN) | ||
| Vocational education | Job training | Vocational education offers practical skills for specific careers. (The Guardian) |
| Many people prefer job training to get right to work. (USA Today) | ||
| Online education | Learning online | Online education has become more popular due to its flexibility. (Los Angeles Times) |
| Learning online is a convenient option for many. (BBC) | ||
| Distance learning | Remote learning | Distance learning allows students to study from anywhere. (The Atlantic) |
| Remote learning has changed how we think about education. (NPR) |
03 / Educational Methods
| Academic Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive learning | Hands-on learning | Interactive learning keeps students engaged in the material. (USA Today) |
| Hands-on learning helps students remember better. (CNN) | ||
| Project-based learning | Learning through projects | Project-based learning fosters teamwork and creativity. (The Guardian) |
| Learning through projects can be very effective. (BBC) | ||
| Experiential learning | Learning by doing | Experiential learning is crucial for skill acquisition. (NPR) |
| Learning by doing is often the best way to understand. (Los Angeles Times) | ||
| Collaborative learning | Group learning | Collaborative learning promotes communication skills. (The New York Times) |
| Group learning can be more effective than studying alone. (The Atlantic) |
04 / Educational Outcomes
| Academic Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Enhance employability | Improve job prospects | Programs are designed to enhance employability for graduates. (BBC) |
| Courses can improve job prospects significantly. (CNN) | ||
| Foster critical thinking | Encourage independent thinking | Schools should foster critical thinking in students. (The Guardian) |
| Teachers need to encourage independent thinking. (USA Today) | ||
| Improve academic performance | Boost school results | Strategies are in place to improve academic performance. (Los Angeles Times) |
| These programs can boost school results. (NPR) | ||
| Cultivate creativity | Encourage creativity | Education should cultivate creativity among students. (The Atlantic) |
| Art classes really encourage creativity. (The New York Times) |
05 / Educational Institutions
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education institutions | Colleges and universities | Higher education institutions are crucial for workforce development. (USA Today) |
| Many students apply to colleges and universities every year. (NPR) | ||
| Primary schools | Elementary schools | Primary schools lay the foundation for future learning. (BBC) |
| Elementary schools teach the basics. (CNN) | ||
| Secondary schools | High schools | Secondary schools often focus on preparing students for exams. (Los Angeles Times) |
| Most teenagers attend high schools. (The Guardian) | ||
| Universities and colleges | Colleges | Universities and colleges offer a variety of programs. (The Guardian) |
| Many students choose to attend colleges after high school. (USA Today) |
06 / Educational Policies
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory education | Mandatory schooling | Compulsory education ensures that all children receive an education. (BBC) |
| Mandatory schooling helps keep kids in class. (NPR) | ||
| Education reform | Changes in education | Education reform is needed to address systemic issues. (The New York Times) |
| Changes in education can benefit students. (CNN) | ||
| Government funding for education | Public funding for schools | Government funding for education has increased in recent years. (Los Angeles Times) |
| Public funding for schools is essential for resources. (USA Today) | ||
| Access to education | Opportunities for education | Ensuring access to education is a fundamental right. (The Atlantic) |
| Providing opportunities for education is crucial for all. (The Guardian) |
07 / Educational Challenges
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Student dropout rates | Leaving school rates | Student dropout rates are a concern for educators. (BBC) |
| High leaving school rates can impact communities. (NPR) | ||
| Overcrowded classrooms | Packed classrooms | Overcrowded classrooms hinder effective teaching. (USA Today) |
| Packed classrooms can make learning difficult. (CNN) | ||
| Teacher shortages | Lack of teachers | Teacher shortages are affecting student learning. (Los Angeles Times) |
| A lack of teachers can lead to larger class sizes. (The Guardian) | ||
| Educational inequality | Unequal education | Educational inequality affects students' futures. (The Atlantic) |
| Unequal education opportunities must be addressed. (BBC) |
08 / Language Learning
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Language acquisition | Learning a language | Language acquisition is a complex process. (The New York Times) |
| Learning a language takes time and practice. (NPR) | ||
| Bilingual education | Dual-language programs | Bilingual education has many benefits for students. (Los Angeles Times) |
| Dual-language programs are becoming more popular. (CNN) | ||
| Foreign language learning | Learning a foreign language | Foreign language learning enhances cognitive abilities. (BBC) |
| Learning a foreign language can be fun. (The Guardian) | ||
| Language proficiency | Language skills | Language proficiency tests assess skills in different areas. (USA Today) |
| Language skills can open doors to new opportunities. (The Atlantic) |
09 / Education and Society
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Social mobility | Moving up the social ladder | Education can enhance social mobility for individuals. (The Guardian) |
| Moving up the social ladder is a goal for many families. (CNN) | ||
| Cultural diversity | Variety of cultures | Cultural diversity enriches the learning experience. (NPR) |
| A variety of cultures is important in schools. (USA Today) | ||
| Community engagement | Involvement in the community | Schools should promote community engagement among students. (BBC) |
| Involvement in the community benefits everyone. (The Atlantic) | ||
| Lifelong learning | Continuous education | Lifelong learning is important in a rapidly changing world. (Los Angeles Times) |
| Continuous education helps keep skills relevant. (The Guardian) |
10 / Disciplines and Subjects
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Core subjects | Main subjects | Core subjects are essential for all students. (The Atlantic) |
| Math and English are often seen as main subjects. (CNN) | ||
| Elective courses | Optional classes | Students can choose from various elective courses. (USA Today) |
| Many schools offer optional classes for exploration. (NPR) | ||
| Academic majors | College majors | Choosing the right academic major is crucial for future careers. (BBC) |
| Deciding on a college major is a big step. (Los Angeles Times) | ||
| Extracurricular activities | After-school activities | Participation in extracurricular activities can enhance a resume. (The New York Times) |
| After-school activities offer a break from studies. (The Guardian) |
11 / Student's Performance
| Collocation | Everyday Alternative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Academic performance | School performance | Academic performance is a key indicator of student success. (NPR) |
| School performance can vary greatly among students. (USA Today) | ||
| Assess student performance | Evaluate student progress | Teachers regularly assess student performance through tests. (The Guardian) |
| Schools need to evaluate student progress effectively. (CNN) | ||
| Measure learning outcomes | Track learning results | Educators strive to measure learning outcomes accurately. (BBC) |
| It's important to track learning results over time. (Los Angeles Times) | ||
| Improve student outcomes | Enhance student results | Programs are in place to improve student outcomes across the board. (The Atlantic) |
| Teachers work hard to enhance student results. (The New York Times) | ||
| Evaluate academic success | Review school achievements | Schools need to evaluate academic success regularly. (USA Today) |
| It's essential to review school achievements to set goals. (NPR) |
A good response to an educational writing task by an ielts examiner, https://ieltswriting.org/ielts-9-test-1-writing-task-2-with-sample-answer-academic/