Summary of Dear Jan . . . Love Ruth By Nick McIver written by Irfan Suryana

 

(Educational Experiences)

Our time in school or university shapes who we become, providing us with knowledge, skills, and lifelong memories. Whether you're reminiscing with friends, chatting with new acquaintances, or even during a job interview, being able to talk about your educational experiences in English is a valuable communication skill. Let's explore the essential English vocabulary and phrases you can use to share your stories from your school or university days!

Key Vocabulary for Educational Experiences:

To effectively discuss your time in education, you'll need to know these terms:

• Types of Institutions:
• School (primary/elementary school, middle school, high school/secondary school)
• College
• University
• Vocational school
• Academic Years/Levels:
• Grade (e.g., first grade, tenth grade)
• Year (e.g., freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, senior year - in high school and college)
• Semester/Term
• Degree (e.g., Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, PhD)
• Subjects/Courses:
• Math, Science, History, English, Literature, Art, Music, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.
• Major (your main area of study in college/university)
• Minor (a secondary area of study)
• Elective (optional courses)
• People:
• Teacher, professor, lecturer, instructor
• Student, classmate, roommate (in college)
• Principal, headmaster
• Dean
• Activities and Events:
• Classes, lectures, seminars, tutorials
• Exams, tests, quizzes, assignments, homework, projects, presentations
• Extracurricular activities (clubs, sports teams, drama club, debate club, etc.)
• Field trips
• Graduation ceremony
• School events (prom, dances, fairs)

Talking About Your Favorite Subjects and Teachers:

Share what you enjoyed learning and who inspired you:

• "My favorite subject in school was [subject] because [reason]."
• "I really enjoyed [course] in university. The professor, [Teacher's Name], was excellent."
• "[Teacher's Name] was a really inspiring teacher. They made [subject] so interesting."
• "I was always good at [subject]."
• "I found [subject] challenging but rewarding."

Describing Your School/University Life:

Paint a picture of your daily experiences:

• "School was [adjective] for me." (e.g., fun, challenging, interesting, memorable)
• "I had a great time in [grade/year]."
• "University life was very [adjective]." (e.g., busy, exciting, independent)
• "I made some great friends in [class/club]."
• "I lived in a dorm/residence hall in my first year."
• "I was involved in [extracurricular activity]."

Sharing Memorable Experiences:

Highlight specific moments from your education:

• "One of my favorite memories from school was when [event]."
• "I'll never forget the time when [funny/interesting story]."
• "Graduation was a really special moment for me."
• "Being part of the [club/team] was an amazing experience."
• "I learned so much during the [project/assignment]."

Talking About Challenges and Achievements:

Discuss the difficulties you faced and what you accomplished:

• "I struggled with [subject] at first, but I eventually improved."
• "Balancing studies and extracurricular activities was tough."
• "I was really proud when I [achievement]."
• "Passing the final exam in [difficult subject] was a big accomplishment for me."

Using Past Tense:

Remember to use the past tense when talking about completed educational experiences:

• "I went to [school name]."
• "I studied [major] at [university name]."
• "I graduated in [year]."
• "I participated in [activity]."
• "I learned a lot from [teacher/experience]."

Example Conversations:

• Meeting someone new:
• New Acquaintance: "So, where did you go to university?"
• You: "I went to [University Name] and studied [Your Major]."
• New Acquaintance: "Oh, that's interesting! What was your favorite part about it?"
• You: "I really enjoyed the [Specific Course] and being part of the [Club Name]."
• Reminiscing with a friend:
• Friend: "Do you remember Mr./Ms. [Teacher's Last Name] from [Subject] in high school?"
• You: "Absolutely! They were such a great teacher. I actually really enjoyed [Subject] because of them."
• Friend: "Me too! And who could forget that crazy [Memorable School Event]?"

Talking about your school or university experiences in English is a wonderful way to share a significant part of your life story. By using this vocabulary and these phrases, you can confidently discuss your academic journey, connect with others who have similar experiences, and reflect on the moments that shaped you. What are some of your most memorable experiences from your time in education? Share your stories in the comments below!