ESL Podcast 817 - Getting a School Class Schedule
class schedule - a list of all the classes a student will take, including where and when the classes are held and who will teach them
In her last year of high school, Jemima had physics and world history on her class schedule.
PE - physical education; gym; a class designed to teach students to improve their strength, endurance, flexibility, and physical health by teaching them to do exercises and play sports
Today, the entire class played basketball in PE.
social studies - a class that study relationships between people and society, such as history, civics (government), anthropology (culture), geography, economics, and more
In social studies, the students have to write detailed reports on important historical events.
geography - the study of land areas, oceans, continents, countries, mountains, rivers, lakes, and more, and how human activity relates to physical features of the planet
Have you memorized the capitals of all the countries in Asia and Africa for this Friday's geography test?
semester - half of a school year, usually with the fall semester from September through December and the spring semester from January through May
Do you think you'll be able to graduate in just two more semesters?
algebra - a type of mathematics where letters or other symbols represent numeric values in equations and formulas
This week, our algebra teacher taught us how to factor polynomial equations.
calculus - a type of mathematics that studies change and the area under a curve through the use of derivatives, integrals, limits, functions, and infinite series
Calculus lets us calculate velocity as the derivative of an object's displacement.
chemistry - the study of substances and the elements that they are made of
In chemistry, students refer to substances by their chemical composition, so water is H2O and salt is NaCl.
biology - the study of forms of life; the study of living organisms
Is it important for biology students to memorize the Latin names for the plants and animals they're studying?
to assign - to put someone in a particular group; to give someone a job or place in an organization
All of the best engineers were assigned to the bridge design project.
lunch period - the period of time in the middle of the day when students have a break from classes and can eat lunch
I wasn't able to finish the homework last night, but I think I'll be able to do it during the lunch period before it's due in the afternoon.
band - a group of people who play musical instruments together and/or a class designed to teach students to play musical instruments together
The band has a lot of trumpet players, but not very many people who can play the French horn.
musical - with musical talent; able to play an instrument and/or sing; able to create music
Gregory is so musical! He already plays the harp, violin, cello, and piano, and now he's teaching himself to play the trombone.
drama - acting; theatre; the art and practice of performing in films, TV shows, plays, and musicals
Albert loved participating in high school drama. He played the role of Lancelot in Camelot.
to drop - to decide not to take a class and remove it from one's schedule
Why are so many people dropping organic chemistry? Is it really that difficult?
to hang out - to spend time in a relaxed, comfortable way with another person, without any particular purpose
Do you want to hang out this weekend?
tone deaf - unable to hear the differences between musical tones and notes
Andrea is an awful singer, because he is tone deaf.
drum - one of many instruments that produces rhythmic, beating sounds when hit with a stick or with one's hand
Lyla likes base drums and snare drums, but the cymbals are her favorite percussion instrument.