Speaking practice: answer out loud for one minute
What was the most useful thing you learned at school?
1:00
12 conversation questions about education
- 1What was the most useful thing you learned at school?
- 2Should university be free for everyone?
- 3Are exams a good way to measure learning?
- 4What makes a great teacher?
- 5Should schools teach more practical life skills?
- 6Is online learning as effective as learning in a classroom?
- 7How important is it to have a university degree today?
- 8Should students choose their own subjects from a young age?
- 9What would you change about the education system in your country?
- 10Is homework necessary?
- 11How should schools use technology and AI?
- 12Is it ever too late to go back to education?
Useful phrases
- Looking back, the most valuable thing was...
- I'm not convinced that...
- It puts too much pressure on...
- A good teacher is someone who...
- There's a strong case for...
- It's not a one-size-fits-all situation.
- If it were up to me, I'd...
- That's a valid point, but...
Key vocabulary
- curriculum
- the subjects taught in a school or course
- rote learning
- learning by repeating, without real understanding
- tuition fees
- money paid to study at a college or university
- critical thinking
- the ability to analyse and judge information
- vocational
- related to training for a specific job
- lifelong learning
- continuing to learn throughout your life
Sample answer
What was the most useful thing you learned at school?
Looking back, the most useful thing I learned at school wasn't a subject at all. It was how to work with people I didn't necessarily like. Group projects were frustrating at the time, but they taught me to compromise and communicate. I'm less convinced that memorising dates for history exams helped me much, to be honest.
Practise "Education" with a real partner
Questions are easier to remember once you've answered them out loud. Start a live 1-on-1 video call and use this topic to get the conversation going.
Practise this topic liveHow to practise this topic
- Answer each question in at least two or three sentences.
- Try to use two of the useful phrases and one new word in every answer.
- With a partner, ask a follow-up question like "Why?" or "Can you give an example?"
- Alone, record your one-minute answer and listen back for one thing to improve.