curriculum, tuition, literacy, institution, qualification: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 58. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. curriculum · noun/kəˈrɪkjələm/

   the subjects and planned learning activities taught in a school or course

   While designing the national curriculum, experts aimed at developing students' ethical understanding by identifying and investigating the nature of ethical concepts.

   Synonyms: educational program, syllabus

   Origin: early 19th century: from Latin (see curricle)

2. tuition · noun/tuˈɪʃən/

   the act of educating students

   For children between 5 and 12, our music school offers tuition on over 20 different musical instruments, which will all start in January 2020.

   Synonyms: instruction, schooling

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘custody, care’): via Old French from Latin tuitio(n-), from tueri ‘to watch, guard’. Current senses date from the late 16th century

3. literacy · noun/ˈlɪdərəsi/

   the ability to read and write

   In South Africa, literacy campaigns were less common during the 1990s, but now, they are commonly used for improving the education level of the nation.

   Synonyms: education

   Origin: late 19th century: from literate, on the pattern of illiteracy

4. institution · noun/ˌɪnstəˈtuʃən/

   an organization founded for a specific purpose

   Rogers International School of Art is an established educational institution, which has a rich history of over fifty years.

   Synonyms: academy, establishment

   Origin: late Middle English (in institution, institution): via Old French from Latin institutio(n-), from the verb instituere (see institute). institution dates from the early 18th century

5. qualification · noun/ˌkwɑləfəˈkeɪʃən/

   a skill, characteristic, or experience that makes someone suitable for a position

   Online education provides adult students with the freedom of continuing their work and acquiring a qualification at the same time.

   Synonyms: competence, experience

   Origin: mid 16th century: from medieval Latin qualificatio(n-), from the verb qualificare (see qualify)