CELPIP vocabulary: education and children

To officially join a course or school.

CELPIP tip Canadian spelling: enrol, enrolled, enrolment (American: enroll). Pattern: enrol in a course, enrol at a college.

The fee for a course or school.

CELPIP tip In Canada it means the fee you pay, so pair it with money words: tuition rose, tuition costs, pay tuition.

The process of signing up officially.

CELPIP tip Pairings: registration fee, registration deadline, online registration. Watch for deadlines in Reading Part 3 notices.

Half of a school year.

CELPIP tip Canadian colleges also say "term" (fall term, winter term). Use "this semester", not "in this semester".

The number of courses you take.

CELPIP tip Use "light" or "heavy", not "small" or "big": "a heavy course load". Shows natural collocation in Writing.

A piece of work set by a teacher.

CELPIP tip Countable, unlike "homework". Pattern: hand in or submit an assignment; the assignment is due on a date.

A teacher of a course.

CELPIP tip Common in Canada for college and community courses. Spell the ending -or, not -er.

A private teacher for one student.

CELPIP tip Also a verb: "She tutors high-school students." Hiring a tutor is a common option to weigh in Speaking Task 5.

A short practical class.

CELPIP tip Pattern: attend, run or offer a workshop on a topic. Libraries and community centres in Reading texts often advertise them.

A course taken on the internet.

CELPIP tip Contrast it with "in-person classes" when giving your opinion in Speaking Task 7.

A document showing you completed a course.

CELPIP tip Pronounce the ending /-kət/ for the noun. Pattern: a certificate in a subject, earn or receive a certificate.

A qualification from a college or school.

CELPIP tip In Canada a college usually gives a diploma and a university gives a degree. Pattern: a diploma in a field.

Something required before a course.

CELPIP tip Pattern: a prerequisite for something. A formal word that fits Reading Part 3 course descriptions; spell the middle "requ".

Money given to help pay for study.

CELPIP tip Canadians also say "bursary" for need-based awards. Pattern: win, receive or apply for a scholarship.

Money borrowed to pay for study.

CELPIP tip Pattern: take out, pay off or pay back a student loan. Mention debt as a drawback in Writing Task 2 education topics.

The subjects taught in a school.

CELPIP tip Plural: curricula or curriculums. Pattern: part of the curriculum, add something to the curriculum.

A mark for schoolwork, or a year of school.

CELPIP tip Canadians say "my son is in grade 4", lower case and with a number, not "fourth class".

A document showing a student's marks.

CELPIP tip Typical Canadian school vocabulary; use it in Writing Task 2 surveys about grading or homework.

A meeting about a child's progress.

CELPIP tip Some Canadian schools call it a "parent-teacher interview". Keep the hyphen between parent and teacher.

A place that looks after young children.

CELPIP tip Pattern: a daycare space, put a child in daycare. Cost and waiting lists are frequent Reading and Writing themes.

Activities for children after classes.

CELPIP tip Hyphenate "after-school" before a noun. A practical option to suggest in Speaking Task 1 for working parents.

A class visit to a place outside school.

CELPIP tip Pattern: go on a field trip to a place. Give one concrete benefit when arguing for field trips in Writing Task 2.

An ability you learn.

CELPIP tip Pair it with precise adjectives: practical, social, communication or job skills. Avoid "skill" alone as vague support.

Continuing to learn as an adult.

CELPIP tip An impressive phrase for Writing Task 2 or Speaking Task 7 answers about seniors, libraries or job retraining.

Describing activities done outside normal classes.

CELPIP tip Almost always followed by "activities". A long word worth practising aloud before Speaking Task 7.