Phrases related to the topic. Speech Functions Bank

below/above average intelligence	to be a number
bacis skills	mixed-ability classes
the three R’s	a socially divisive institution
a selective school/education	extra curricular activities
a school-leaver	a fee-paying institution
to get a first	a graduate-level job
child/learner-centred approach	a non-government school
literacy and numeracy	liberal education
to stuff with knowledge	tertiary education
GCSE	to be (come) up to scratch
perfect command of the language	to scrape through exam/school/college
to make the school fit the child	to stretch a student
a trainee teacher	to play to the student’s strengths
to be up to the job	teacher turnover
statewide testing	a high rate of employability
to go on for higher education	employment prospects
to sit for public/entrance examinations	to penalize students
core subjects	to meet standards, requirements
a school syllabus	to implement reforms, exams
the right opening	job seekers
corporal punishment	graduation exams
vocation oriented courses	a parent/teacher meeting
to load teachers down with paper work	to advance to a new grade
to lower the passing score	comprehensive school/system/training
promotion requirements	vocationally relevant subjects
to catch up with the peers	on-campus/workplace training
dropout prevention	disruptive behaviour/ pupil

Educational Challenges

Speech Functions Bank

F – Formal

Inf – Informal

Asking for More Detailed Information

Inf

I wonder if you could explain about X in (rather) how you do more detail?

Could I ask you a little more about X how you do …

I’m afraid I’m not quite clear about X how you do …

I’m interested in knowing more about X

How (exactly) do you do…?

Could you fill me in a bit on X how you do …..?

Can you put me in the picture about X?

Make the following into questions or statements asking for more detailed information using the language in the box above.

E x a m p l e:

Could/ask/about boarding schools in your country?

Could I ask you a bit more about boarding schools in your country?

1. I/interested/knowing/the standards of education in this country.

2. I/afraid/not quite clear/applicants should present themselves while applying for a job.

3. Could/fill/in/your career up to now?

4. I wonder/you/explain/educational opportunities are being equalized.

5. Can/me/picture/the school’s entrance requirements and its fees?