What is school? Pronunciation and usage in English

school means . Learn how to pronounce and use school through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of school

schoolnoun

/skuːl/
Definition & pronunciation of school

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "school" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and widely accepted pronunciation is:

  • /skuːl/ (rhymes with "cool")

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

  1. "Sch": This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "sk" as in "sky." Don't say "sh" like in "ship."

  2. "oo": This is a long "oo" sound, like in "moon" or "food." Think of rounding your lips and making a wide, open vowel sound.

  3. "l": A simple "l" sound, like in "light."

Tips & Variations:

  • Regional Differences: There are slight regional variations. In some parts of the US (particularly the Midwest and parts of the South), you might occasionally hear it pronounced /ˈskuːl/ (with a slightly different emphasis). However, /skuːl/ is overwhelmingly the standard.

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("SKOO").

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google Search: Just type "how to pronounce school" into Google and click the audio icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/school/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce school" on YouTube – you'll find many helpful videos.

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (This can help me account for regional pronunciation differences.)

Usage and examples with the word school in English

Let's break down how to use the word "school" in English. It has several meanings and uses! Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As a Place of Learning (Most Common)

  • Definition: This is the primary meaning – a building or institution where students learn.
  • Examples:
    • "I go to school every day."
    • "My school has a library and a computer lab."
    • "She’s enrolled in a school for gifted children."
    • "The school bus arrives at 7:30 am."
    • "Let's visit the school to see where my niece goes to kindergarten."

2. As a System of Education

  • Definition: Refers to the entire process and structure of learning – including teachers, curriculum, and regulations.
  • Examples:
    • "The school system in this state is known for its high standards."
    • "He’s studying education at school (university)." (Here, "school" refers to university)
    • "The school board made a decision about budget cuts."

3. As a Type of Institution (Specific Levels)

  • Elementary School / Primary School: (Typically for ages 5-11 or 6-11) – This is the first stage of formal education.
    • "My son is in elementary school."
    • "She loves drawing in primary school."
  • Middle School / Junior High School: (Typically for ages 11-14) – A transition period between elementary and high school.
    • “He’s struggling in middle school."
  • High School / Secondary School: (Typically for ages 14-18) – The final stage of compulsory education before university.
    • “She’s applying to high school.”
  • College / University / Higher Education School: (For post-secondary education – ages 18+) – Institutions for further study after high school.
    • "He’s going to college to study engineering."
    • "She's attending university."

4. Figurative Uses (Less Common)

  • “To go to school” (as in, to learn): This is an idiom meaning to learn something through experience.
    • “He learned his lesson the hard way – he went to school for a nasty surprise.”
  • “School days”: Refers to happy times in one’s childhood.
    • “I’ll always remember my school days fondly.”

5. "School" as a Group/Community

  • "A school of thought": A group of people who share similar beliefs or ideas.
    • “There are different schools of thought on climate change.”
  • "School of fish": A group of fish swimming together.
    • "A large school of tuna swam past the boat."

Tips for Using "School" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the situation to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Be specific: When referring to a specific level of education, use the appropriate term (elementary, middle, high, college).
  • Watch out for abbreviations: "School" is often abbreviated as "Sch." or "S." (Mostly in formal writing).

Could you tell me more about what you're trying to do with the word "school"? For example:

  • Are you writing a sentence?
  • Are you trying to understand a particular sentence that uses "school"?
  • Are you just looking for general information about its usage?

Synonyms for the word school

Idioms of the word school

one of the old school
an old-fashioned person who likes to do things as they were done in the past
    school(s) of thought
    a way of thinking that a number of people share
    • There are two schools of thought about how this illness should be treated.
    • He belongs to the school of thought that says that competition can be very stimulating for children.
    too cool for school
    (informal)very fashionable
    • The assistants look like they're too cool for school.

    Practice with vocabulary school

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. My children attend an international _______ that focuses on STEM subjects and cultural exchange.
    2. After completing high _______, many students pursue higher education at universities or colleges.
    3. The local community center offers various adult _______ for skill development, from cooking to coding.
    4. She received a full scholarship to a prestigious _______ of performing arts in New York.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

    1. Which of the following terms can refer to an educational institution? A) school B) university C) college D) academy

    2. Which types of specialized institutions often include the word 'school' in their name? A) driving B) business C) medical D) law

    3. What activities are commonly associated with attending an educational institution? A) studying B) teaching C) conducting research D) participating in extracurricular clubs

    4. Which of these words best describes a detailed plan of study for a particular subject? A) lecture B) curriculum C) assignment D) grade

    5. Before presenting, students must prepare _______ their speeches carefully. A) on B) for C) about D) with

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Children typically begin their formal learning process at the age of five or six. (Rewrite using a word form of "school")
    2. The local public institution offers excellent programs for students of all ages. (Rewrite using "school")
    3. After completing their compulsory period of study, students often consider their career paths. (Rewrite, replacing "period of study" with a suitable word other than "school")

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. school
    2. school
    3. courses
    4. academy

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. A) school, B) university, C) college, D) academy
    2. B) business, C) medical, D) law
    3. A) studying, B) teaching, C) conducting research, D) participating in extracurricular clubs
    4. B) curriculum
    5. B) for

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Children typically begin their schooling at the age of five or six.
    2. The local public school offers excellent programs for students of all ages.
    3. After completing their compulsory period of education, students often consider their career paths.

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