People at School
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| teacher | teaches lessons |
| pupil / student | attends school to learn |
| headteacher / principal | leads the school |
| librarian | manages the library |
| classmate | fellow student in the same class |
School Places
| Place | What happens there |
|---|---|
| classroom | lessons take place |
| library | reading and research |
| laboratory (lab) | science experiments |
| gymnasium (gym) | physical education |
| canteen / cafeteria | eating lunch |
| playground | outdoor break time |
| corridor | connecting hallways |
Classroom Objects
desk, chair, board (whiteboard / blackboard), projector, laptop, notebook, textbook, pen, pencil, ruler, calculator, eraser, folder, timetable
School Subjects
| Subject | What you study |
|---|---|
| Mathematics (Maths) | numbers, shapes, equations |
| English / Language Arts | reading, writing, grammar |
| Science | biology, chemistry, physics |
| History | past events |
| Geography | countries, maps, climate |
| Art | drawing, painting, design |
| Physical Education (PE) | sport and exercise |
| Music | instruments, singing, theory |
| ICT / Computer Science | technology and programming |
The Learning Process
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| revise / review | look at material again before a test |
| take notes | write down important information |
| do homework | complete work set by the teacher |
| hand in / submit | give completed work to the teacher |
| pass an exam | achieve a sufficient mark |
| fail an exam | not achieve a sufficient mark |
| retake | do an exam or test again |
| grade / mark | score or evaluation given for work |
| term | one section of the school year |
Real world: an exchange student's first day
"On my first day, the headteacher showed me to my classroom. My new classmates were friendly and helped me find the canteen at lunchtime. In the afternoon we had a lab session for Science, and I had to borrow a pencil and ruler because my stationery was still in my bag." International exchange students rely heavily on school vocabulary to navigate a new environment, ask questions, and make friends. Knowing words like headteacher, canteen, and lab gives you immediate practical confidence.
Real world: talking about school subjects
Parent: "How was school today?"
Student: "Really good! In Maths we started a new topic and I finally understand it. English was fun — we did creative writing. But I have a Geography test next Thursday, so I need to revise tonight."
This everyday exchange uses subject names, the verb revise, and school time vocabulary naturally. Being able to discuss school subjects is essential for talking to parents, friends, and teachers in English.
Real world: writing an email about schoolwork
"Dear Mr Ahmed, I wanted to let you know that I have submitted my History essay via the school portal. I also wanted to ask whether we are permitted to retake the Science quiz from last term, as I feel my grade did not reflect my understanding of the topic." This formal email uses vocabulary like submitted, retake, grade, and term. These are exactly the words you need when communicating with teachers in English-language schools or applying to study abroad.
Practice Problems
Describe your school day using at least six words from this lesson.
Show answer
What is the difference between 'revise' and 'study'?