Talking About School

A. Talking about the system

• It’s a Vocational training school.
• It specializes in technical subjects.
• There are 700 pupils/students.
• It’s quite big/not very big.
• We follow trimester system.
• There are three terms a year.
• You can leave school at 16.
• You can start college at 17.
• We start at 8:30 and go on till 1:30
• We have Saturdays off.
• We work a half day on Wednesdays.
• We go to lessons/lectures.
• We (don’t) have to work very hard.
• We (don’t) do a lot of sport.
• We have a lot of homework.

B. Talking about exams

• He’s taking an exam in June
• We’re working for our exams.
• It’s a school leaving certificate.
• It’s for a diploma.
• The exams are hard/easy.
• Last year, I failed/passed.
• You need it to get a good job.

C. Talking about subjects

• We study physics.
• I find math’s easy/difficult…
• She’s not good at languages
• We’re not taught art.
• My favourite subject is/was history
• I like/liked chemistry.
• We started a new subject is/was history
• We haven’t the facilities for sport.
• She’s not a good teacher/lectures on art
• She’s not very strict.

D. About School: Dialogue

• Does Mary madam teach every day?
• No. Only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Is the teaching right now?
• No, she isn’t. She’s working in her office.
• Why doesn’t Jim practice anymore?
• He doesn’t have much free time.
• He used to have a lot of free time, didn’t he?
• Yes, he did, but now he’s going to school every night.
• What are you studying this semester?
• Science, English, and Math.
• Which do you like best?
• English really interests me the most.
• Not all students learn their lessons meticulously.
• Well, I do mine.
• But your brother often does his at the last moment.
• And my sister always does hers a day late.
• How come you aren’t at school today?
• There aren’t any classes this week.
• Well, how come there aren’t any classes?
• This is our spring vacation.

E. Going to School

• I’m worried about my school work.
• What’s the problem?
• I think I’m going to fail the examinations.
• Maybe you won’t if you have more confidence.
• What are you going to study at the University?
• Probably Physics and English.
• You’ll have to work hard.
• Yes. I’ve heard that it’s a difficult school.
• What did you apply for?
• I applied for a scholarship.
• What school did you apply to?
• I applied for a scholarship.
• What school did you apply to?
• I applied to Oxemberg College.
• I understand the boys’ applications were turned down.
• Who turned them down?
• I think the college admissions committee.
• I’d advise them to try again.