CEFR A2

    School Subjects

    Learn vocabulary for school subjects and academic activities including maths, science, history, geography, and what students learn in each subject.

    Learning Objectives

    Learn comprehensive vocabulary for core academic subjects, specialized courses, and educational activities.
    Master how to describe your school schedule, express subject preferences, and discuss academic experiences.
    Practice essential phrases for talking about classes, sharing academic strengths, and describing learning activities.
    Build confidence discussing your education, academic interests, and learning experiences in English conversations!

    School Subjects

    Learning vocabulary for school subjects helps you talk about your education, discuss what you're studying, and understand academic conversations. These essential words allow you to describe your classes, favorite subjects, and what you learn at school. Mastering school subject vocabulary will enable you to share your academic interests, understand educational discussions, and communicate effectively about your learning journey.

    📖 A Day at School

    On Monday morning, Emma has maths class first — she loves solving problems with numbers.

    After break, she goes to science class where they do experiments in the laboratory.

    In the afternoon, she has history and learns about important events from the past.

    Her last lesson is art, and she enjoys drawing and painting pictures.

    By learning school subjects vocabulary, you can talk about your education, describe your classes, and share your academic interests in English!

    Core School Subjects

    Mathematics and Language Arts

    Fundamental subjects focusing on numbers, calculations, and language skills.

    • I have maths class every day. We learn about numbers and calculations.
    • In English, we read books and write essays.
    • Mathematics helps develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

    Sciences and Social Studies

    Subjects exploring the natural world, human society, and historical events.

    • Science is interesting - we do experiments in the laboratory.
    • In history class, we learn about the past and important events.
    • Geography teaches us about countries, cities, and the environment.

    Arts and Physical Education

    Creative and physical development subjects for well-rounded education.

    • We play sports and exercise in PE class.
    • I love music lessons - I'm learning to play the piano.
    • Art class is my favourite - we paint and draw.

    Want to try a School Subjects quiz?

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    Additional Subjects

    Science Specializations

    Specialized science subjects exploring different aspects of the natural world.

    • In biology, we study living things like plants and animals.
    • Chemistry is about substances and how they react together.
    • Physics explains how things work and move.

    Languages and Technology

    Subjects focusing on communication skills and digital literacy.

    • I'm learning French and Spanish as foreign languages.
    • In IT, we learn about computers and programming.
    • Language classes help improve communication skills.

    Creative and Cultural Studies

    Subjects exploring artistic expression and cultural understanding.

    • Drama class is fun - we act in plays and performances.
    • Religious studies teaches us about different religions and beliefs.
    • Creative subjects help develop imagination and self-expression.

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    Learning Activities by Subject

    Academic and Analytical Subjects

    Activities in subjects requiring calculation, analysis, and critical thinking.

    • Students solve problems, calculate numbers, and work with equations in maths.
    • Students read stories, write compositions, and study grammar in English.
    • Students conduct experiments, observe results, and take notes in science.

    Humanities and Social Sciences

    Activities in subjects exploring human society, culture, and history.

    • Students study dates, learn about historical figures, and discuss events in history.
    • Students look at maps, learn about climates, and study continents in geography.
    • Students analyze texts, discuss ideas, and develop arguments in social studies.

    Creative and Physical Education

    Activities in artistic, musical, and physical development subjects.

    • Students draw, paint, create sculptures, and learn about famous artists in art.
    • Students sing, play instruments, and learn about different musical styles in music.
    • Students exercise, play team sports, and practice athletic skills in PE.

    School Vocabulary and Expressions

    Academic Structure and People

    Vocabulary related to school organization and personnel.

    • Our first lesson today is geography.
    • My maths teacher is very helpful.
    • What's your favourite subject at school?

    Academic Work and Assessment

    Terms for assignments, evaluations, and learning materials.

    • I have to finish my history homework tonight.
    • We have a science test next week.
    • I got a good grade in my English essay.

    School Resources and Scheduling

    Vocabulary for school facilities, materials, and organization.

    • Don't forget to bring your geography textbook.
    • According to my timetable, I have PE this afternoon.
    • We use the laboratory for chemistry experiments.

    Expressing Opinions About Subjects

    Preferences and Favorites

    Expressions for talking about subject preferences and interests.

    • My favourite subject is art because it's creative.
    • I'm good at maths but I find history difficult.
    • I find science very interesting and engaging.

    Difficulty and Challenge Levels

    Ways to describe how easy or difficult subjects are for you.

    • Geography is easy for me, but chemistry is difficult.
    • I enjoy music lessons but I hate PE.
    • This year I'm studying French, German, and Spanish.

    Academic Strengths and Goals

    Expressions for discussing academic abilities and aspirations.

    • I want to improve my writing skills in English class.
    • Science experiments help me understand complex concepts.
    • I'm working hard to get better at mathematics.

    Useful Phrases for School Subjects

    Asking About Studies and Preferences

    • What subjects do you study?
    • What's your favourite subject?
    • Which classes do you have this semester?
    • Do you enjoy your science lessons?

    Describing Schedules and Activities

    • I have maths on Monday morning.
    • We're learning about ancient civilizations in history.
    • I need to study for my biology test.
    • The English teacher gave us a writing assignment.

    Discussing Academic Performance

    • I got a good grade in my geography project.
    • I'm better at arts than sciences.
    • I need to improve my grades in mathematics.
    • I find language classes challenging but rewarding.

    Master School Subjects sentence building!

    Drag and drop words to form correct sentences

    Common Mistakes to Avoid

    ❌ Wrong: I'm studying in maths class.

    ✓ Correct: I'm studying maths. (no preposition needed with subjects)

    ❌ Wrong: My favorite subject are science.

    ✓ Correct: My favorite subject is science. (subject-verb agreement)

    ❌ Wrong: I have the English on Tuesday.

    ✓ Correct: I have English on Tuesday. (no article with school subjects)

    ❌ Wrong: I'm good in mathematics.

    ✓ Correct: I'm good at mathematics. (use 'at' with good/bad)

    ❌ Wrong: We learn about the history.

    ✓ Correct: We learn about history. (no article with general subjects)

    Learning Tips

    Create a vocabulary list for each school subject you study to learn subject-specific words
    Practice describing your school day in English, including which subjects you have each day
    Watch English-language educational videos about different subjects to learn how to talk about them
    Use "I'm good at / bad at" to talk about your strengths and weaknesses in different subjects
    Learn to distinguish between the subject name (maths, science) and the related activity (calculate, experiment)
    Practice talking about your favorite teachers and what makes their classes interesting
    Learn common classroom phrases and instructions in English to understand teacher directions
    Create flashcards with subject names and related vocabulary to build your academic word bank

    Speaking Practice

    To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!

    ✓ I have maths on Monday morning and I love solving problems.

    ✓ In science class, we learn about animals, plants, and do experiments.

    ✓ My favourite subject is art because I enjoy drawing and painting.

    ✓ We study history to learn about important events from the past.

    ✓ Geography teaches us about different countries, mountains, and rivers.

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