Think: Why do students in one country wear uniforms, while students in another do not? Why do some teenagers take important exams before entering a school, while others choose a programme without one? Why can university studies be free in one place but expensive in another? School may look familiar at first: lessons, teachers, homework and tests. However, behind the classroom door, every country has its own education system with different stages, rules and opportunities. In this unit, you will discover how the pieces of this puzzle fit together.
Revise: you already know more school-related vocabulary than you may realise! Before exploring new words about education systems and future study pathways, take a quick trip back through the vocabulary you studied in previous grades. Can you still recognise the names of different school subjects? Do you remember the English words for the objects you use during lessons? Open the revision activities, test your memory and see how many words you can recall without help.
Step 1: Revisit School Subjects
Step 1: Revisit School Subjects
Form 3: School subjects, Form 6: School subjects
Step 2: Revisit School and Classroom Objects
Your challenge is simple: reactivate the words you already know and prepare to take your school vocabulary to the next level!
Learn: ready to unlock the new words? Read and listen to the text carefully, then use the clues around the highlighted words to guess what they mean.
Part 1. The Structure of the Education System
At the end of Form 9, students in Latvia complete lower secondary education and face an important choice. The Latvian education system offers different pathways, so students can select the one that best matches their interests and future plans. Some students continue into upper secondary education, where they study general subjects and prepare for further studies. Others choose vocational education and training, which combines classroom learning with practical skills for a particular profession. After completing either pathway, students may begin working or enter higher education at a university or college. There is no single correct route. Each pathway can lead to new opportunities.
education system — [ˌedʒ.ʊˈkeɪ.ʃən ˈsɪs.təm] — the way education is organised in a particular country, including its schools, study stages, programmes and rules; izglītības sistēma
The Latvian education system allows students to choose different learning pathways after completing Form 9.
higher education — [ˌhaɪ.ər ed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən] — education provided by universities, colleges and other institutions after upper secondary education; augstākā izglītība
Many young people enter higher education to develop specialised knowledge and improve their career opportunities.
lower secondary education — [ˌləʊ.ə ˌsek.ən.dri ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the stage of education that follows primary education and comes before upper secondary education; pamatizglītības otrais posms
Students completing lower secondary education must decide whether to continue their general studies or choose a vocational pathway.
upper secondary education — [ˌʌp.ə ˌsek.ən.dri ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the stage of education that follows lower secondary education and prepares students for further studies or employment;; vidējā izglītība
Upper secondary education prepares students for further studies, employment and important decisions about their future.
vocational education and training (VET) — [vəʊˌkeɪ.ʃən.əl ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən ən ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ] — education that combines academic learning with practical training for a particular job or profession; profesionālā izglītība un apmācība
Vocational education and training combines classroom learning with practical skills that students can use in a specific profession.
Part 2. Studying at an Educational Institution
Before the new academic year begins, students must make several practical decisions. First, they need to enrol in a school, college or university programme. It is also important to study the curriculum carefully. A strong programme may include academic subjects, digital skills, practical training and opportunities to gain work experience. Students applying to universities should also check the cost of their studies. Some institutions charge tuition fees, while others offer free study places or financial support. Choosing a programme is not only about where to study. It is also about understanding what you will learn and what opportunities may follow.
At the beginning of each academic year, students receive their timetables and learn about the subjects they will study.
The school redesigned its curriculum so that students could learn coding, create short films and develop solutions to real environmental problems in their community.
academic year — [ˌæk.əˌdem.ɪk ˈjɪər] — the period of the year during which students attend school, college or university and complete their studies; it is usually divided into terms or semesters; mācību gads
At the beginning of each academic year, students receive their timetables and learn about the subjects they will study.
curriculum — [kəˈrɪk.jə.ləm] — the subjects, topics, skills and learning activities that students are expected to study as part of a particular course or education programme; mācību saturs, mācību programma
The school redesigned its curriculum so that students could learn coding, create short films and develop solutions to real environmental problems in their community.
Plural form: curricula — [kəˈrɪk.jə.lə]
The exchange students compared the curricula of schools in different countries and were surprised to discover how differently subjects such as science, art and technology were taught.
enrol (US enroll) — [ɪnˈrəʊl] — to officially register as a student on a course, in a school or at another educational institution; iestāties, reģistrēties mācībām
After comparing several programmes, Marta decided to enrol in a vocational school that offers training in graphic design.
tuition fees — [tʃuːˈɪʃ.ən ˌfiːz] — the amount of money that students must pay to study at a college, university or other educational institution; mācību maksa
Before accepting her place at a university in another country, Elza carefully compared the tuition fees and searched for scholarships that could help her cover the cost of her studies.
Part 3. Exams, Admission, and Completing Your Studies
As students approach the end of school, they often begin preparing for their school-leaving exams. The results may influence which programmes they can apply for next. Some courses also require applicants to pass an entrance exam before they are accepted. After completing the chosen programme successfully, students graduate and may receive a recognised qualification. For many young people, this is an important moment: one stage of education ends, and a new set of opportunities begins.
entrance exam — [ˈen.trəns ɪɡˌzæm] — a test that applicants must take before they can be accepted into a particular school, university or study programme; iestājeksāmens
Applicants must pass a demanding entrance exam to demonstrate that they are prepared for the programme.
to graduate — [ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt] — to successfully complete a course of study at a school, college or university and receive an official certificate or degree; absolvēt
Students who successfully complete the programme will graduate with valuable knowledge and practical experience.
a graduate — [ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət] — a person who has successfully completed a course of study at a school, college or university; absolvents
As a recent graduate of a film-production programme, Richard was thrilled when he was invited to work on a documentary about life in the Baltic Sea region.
qualification — [ˌkwɒl.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — an official certificate, degree or title that shows that a person has completed a course of study or has the skills required for a particular job; kvalifikācija
The programme enables students to gain a recognised professional qualification and enter the job market with confidence.
school-leaving exam — [ˈskuːl ˌliː.vɪŋ ɪɡˌzæm] — an official examination that students take near the end of their time at school, often to show what they have learned and to help determine their future study opportunities; skolas beigšanas eksāmens
Students often begin preparing for their school-leaving exams several months in advance because the results may affect their future choices.