✨ UK vs US Education Terminology ✨
One of the biggest differences in terminology between British and American English is to be found in the language surrounding schools and education. This can be pretty confusing if you're thinking about going to study in either of the two countries, so hopefully this article can help clear a few things up for you. 😊
Public School 🎒📚
One of the most confusing terms between the two dialects is ‘Public School’, as they virtually mean opposite things. In England and Wales, people understand ‘public school’ to mean an old and prestigious private boarding school; whereas in the US, a ‘public school’ is what the English would call a ‘state school’, a school funded by the government.
These expensive boarding schools in England were originally called public schools as they took students from any religion, family or origin, which was not the case for other schools at the time.
Luckily, ‘private school’ means the same in both dialects. 😆
Miscellaneous Terminological Differences
| British English (BrE) 🇬🇧 | American English (AmE) 🇺🇸 | Thai |
| Break (time) | Recess | |
| Homework | Assignment | |
| Term | Semester | |
| Autumn Term | Fall Semester | |
| Holiday(s) | Vacation / Break | |
| Easter Holidays | Spring Break | |
| “I studied Maths at university” | “Math was my major in college” | |
| State School / Comprehensive School | Public School | |
| Canteen | Cafeteria | |
| Rubber | Eraser | |
| Take/call/do the register | Take attendance / call the roll | |
| Head teacher | Principal
|
"What Year/Grade Are You In?"
| Starting Age | UK Year | UK Institution | US Grade | US Institution |
| 2-3 | Nursery / Playschool | Day care / Preschool | ||
| 4 | Reception |  PRIMARY SCHOOL  | Pre-Kindergarten / Pre-K | |
| 5 | Year 1 | Kindergarten | ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | |
| 6 | Year 2 | 1st grade | ||
| 7 | Year 3 | 2nd grade | ||
| 8 | Year 4 | 3rd grade | ||
| 9 | Year 5 | 4th grade | ||
| 10 | Year 6 | 5th grade | ||
| 11 | Year 7 | SECONDARY SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL | 6th grade | MIDDLE SCHOOL |
| 12 | Year 8 | 7th grade | ||
| 13 | Year 9 | 8th grade | ||
| 14 | Year 10 | 9th grade, freshman year | PREP / HIGH SCHOOL | |
| 15 | Year 11 | 10th grade, sophomore year | ||
| 16 | Year 12 | SIXTH FORM | 11th grade, junior year | |
| 17 | Year 13 | 12th grade, senior year | ||
| 18 | 1st Year/ Fresher | UNIVERSITY | Freshman | COLLEGE |
| 19 | 2nd Year | Sophomore | ||
| 20 | 3rd Year/Final Year | Senior |
