At School - At school, an oral topic in English with translation. topic

What preposition should be used before the word school, i.e. how to say - at school or in school? Do I need an article before the word school? Despite the fact that the word school belongs to the group of the most frequently used vocabulary, questions constantly arise with it. Today we will deal with the most difficult nuances of using the noun school, and you will learn how to use it correctly once and for all.

In order to prepare answers to the questions posed, we did not rely so much on the data of reference manuals, but rather studied the explanations of the native speakers themselves. Of course, it is important for us that our English speech complies with the established classical ideal rules, but it is even more important that our speech sounds modern and does not differ in any way from the speech of natural speakers.

So, first we will find out which preposition should be used with the word school - at or in. If earlier there was a distinction in the use of these prepositions with the word school, then today there are no such distinctions. In other words, for the hearing of a natural speaker, the options in school and at school will sound the same. Yes, this is indeed possible, and there is nothing surprising in this. Imagine that you, native speakers of Russian, were asked by some Englishman - what is the correct word “on the closet” or “on the closet”, “in the elevator” or “in the elevator”? It is unlikely that you will be able to choose a more correct option and sensibly justify your choice, because. for a native Russian speaker, all options sound acceptable. A native English speaker feels about the same when asked to determine which option is correct - at school or in school.

Moreover, if we turn, for example, to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, we will see that both options are presented equally: both at school and in school have identical interpretations in dictionary entries: a) in the school building (in the school building); b) attending a school, rather than being at college or university or having a job (studying at school as opposed to college, university or work).

Thus, the first conclusion to be drawn is that you should never be tormented by the question of which preposition to use before the word school - at or in. Both options are equivalent.

Next, consider the use of the article before the word school. Here, too, there are no particular difficulties. Consider a specific example: My daughter is still in school. – Literally: My daughter is still at school. This example means that the daughter is still a schoolgirl, and not a college or university student. Therefore, a more correct translation of this sentence would be: My daughter is still a schoolgirl (goes to school). So, when the word school means “training, study”, then the article is not used. Here's another example: We've got two children at school, and one at university. – Literally: We have two children at school, and one at the university. Now a normal translation: We have two children at school, one at the university.

Now let's continue the consideration of the noun school, but in a different meaning. Again, let's take a specific example: He is the oldest student in the school. - He is the oldest student in the school. Does this mean the learning process? Absolutely not. Here the word school has the meaning of a set of students (a contingent of students). Another example: Is there anybody in the school? – Is there anyone at school? In this example, the word school means the school building itself.

So, remember: if the word school means a physical building or a contingent of students present in this building, then the definite article is used.

In conclusion, let us summarize the main point once again: with the word school, the prepositions at and in can be used equally; the article the is used before school in the sense of a building or contingent; the article is not used before school in the meaning of activity.

Both options are correct, but used in different situations. How exactly? Read below on this page, after listening to jokes in English on school topics.

I was called to the board. I try to remember what they asked us to do at home, I play for time and convulsively open the textbook on the page with a bookmark, I don’t have time to read anything except the title of the paragraph, I go to the blackboard and mumble something incoherent, but for some reason the language does not obey and I .. I wake up in a cold sweat.

Many (actually, many) years have passed since I graduated from school, but the dream was colorful and very similar to reality, which is why I remembered how, in childhood, teachers and parents tried to convince us - children that childhood is the happiest time in life. It may be true, but try asking an adult today to go back to the happiest of all times, especially school, and he or she has a 99.9% chance of refusing.

What was so scary about school? The worst thing is the compulsion to study and the understanding that the main part of all this mura will not be useful in life ... as well as food in the school cafeteria, a chemistry teacher, short breaks and a queue for the toilet, as well as boring lessons, the Pythagorean theorem and annoying neighbor's party. And only English lessons became at least some kind of outlet for me (I was lucky with the teacher), although it was also not entirely clear why we, living in the best country in the world, should learn this language alien to our ideology.

Perhaps the most important thing in school (and not only) education is not to force a person to study, but to instill in him a love of learning. It is the ability to learn and self-educate that has the greatest impact on the future of a person. Unfortunately, many modern teachers, and often parents, underestimate the importance of this truth.

Below you will find jokes from school life, based on the game of English words on the principle of question and answer. Pay special attention to the last question, it will just be .

Free English audio lessons straight to your inbox!

Audio English	Translation
Your browser does not support audio, please upgrade your browser.
Q: Why did the music teacher need a ladder? A: To reach the high notes.	Q: Why does a music teacher need a ladder? A: To hit (get) high notes.
Q: What's the worst thing you're likely to find in the school cafeteria? A: The Food!	Q: What is the worst thing you can find in a school cafeteria? O: I'm going!
Q: Why did nose not want to go to school? A: He was tired of getting picked on!	Q: Why doesn't the nose want to go to school? A: He's tired of being teased! (to pick on - find fault, tease; to pick a nose - pick your nose)
Q: How do you get straight A's? A: By using a ruler!	Q: How to get straight A (round perfect)? A: With a ruler!
Q: What did the pen say to the pencil? A: So, what's your point?	Q: What did the pen say to the pencil? A: What is your point (point of view or position)?
Q: Why did the kid study in the airplane? A: That's because he wanted a higher education!	Q: Why did the child study on the plane? A: Because he wanted to get a higher (higher) education!
Q: How did the music teacher get locked in the classroom? A: His keys were inside the piano!	Q: How did the music teacher get locked in the classroom? A: His keys were inside the piano! (key - key, key, key, musical key)
Q: What do elves learn in school? A: The elf-abet!	Q: What do elves teach at school? O: Elf-avit!

Download MP3 file

Combination of prepositions at and in with a noun often raises questions among people who begin to learn English. But why only for beginners? Our survey showed that even native speakers do not have a unanimity of opinion on this issue. So what to do now and how to speak?

In principle, both options are correct, but they are used in different ways.

Used in the last question-answer is quite justified, as it means that a person (or elf) is studying at an educational institution, including a college or university, but currently can physically be anywhere.

Most often it means that a person is currently (or was previously) at school in the literal sense, i.e. physically within the school.

He is now at school. Classes end at 2:00 PM. - He's at school now. Classes will end at 14:00.

There are other versions. Like what more American than . By the way, it is the Americans who use the combination to designate studies not only at school, but also at a college or university:

My brother doesn't have a job because he is in school. He is studying linguistics. - My brother is not working now, he is studying. He is studying linguistics.

Some speakers also claim that depending on the situation, for example, if we are near a school, then - maybe just inside the school, while is a broader concept, i.e. the school itself and the school yard with its surroundings (school grounds). Conclusion: the first two statements are the most plausible and common, the rest is up to you.

]

one). When children in our country are six or seven years old they begin to go to school. 2). They spend there 5 or 6 hours daily during ten or eleven years. 3). That "s why we may very often hear a phrase, "School is our second home". 4). There are different kinds of schools - secondary schools, lyceums, gymnasiums, schools specializing in foreign languages, in mathematics, chemistry, biology, etc. 5).Still, different as they are, all schools have much in common. 6).The first thing is that all pupils go to school to get knowledge in different subjects and to develop good work habits. 7).Besides, 8).As a rule it is a two- or three-storey building, rather large with a lot of classrooms and studies in it.

nine). When you enter any school you can see a cloakroom where pupils leave their coats in cold seasons. ten). Here on the ground floor you can find a school canteen. eleven). Pupils come here to have lunch during the long breaks. 12). There is also an assembly hall in every school. thirteen). All school celebrations and gatherings are held there. fourteen). In many schools there is a gym on the ground floor where schoolchildren have their lessons of physical training. fifteen). Every school has at least two workshops: one for boys and the other one - for girls. sixteen). Girls are taught cooking, sewing, and knitting there. 17). As for boys they get acquainted, with production work, with the latest achievements of engineering and modern equipment. eighteen). They are also taught to use some tools and machines.

nineteen). Quite a number of classrooms in every school are given to junior pupils, where they develop their speaking, reading and writing habits.

20). All modern schools have mainly well equipped classrooms for studying Maths, Russian and literature, geography, history, music and arts. 21). Various schemes and tables, maps and pictures can be seen on the walls of the classrooms. 22). Modern equipment such as tape-recorders and record players, cinema and slide-projectors makes the process of teaching easier and more interesting. 23). A few words should be said about science rooms where physics, chemistry and biology are taught. 24). These rooms are not only equipped with all necessary devices but they also have science laboratories, where pupils carry out experiments and make careful observations of different phenomena. 25). The scientific knowledge the pupils get in these laboratories is, of course, valuable to them.

26). Every school has a good library at the pupils" disposal. 27). There they can not only get textbooks on different subjects, but also take various books for individual reading.

28). In every school where English is taught there are some specialized classrooms for studying it. 29). Junior pupils learn to read, write and speak English there, they learn a lot of songs and poems. thirty). Senior pupils read texts, listen to spoken English from records, and learn a lot about English-speaking countries, customs, traditions and history of their peoples. 31). They get acquainted with English writers, read and discuss extracts from their books, take part in out-of-school activities.

Translation of the text: At School - At school

one). When children in our country reach the age of six or seven, they start going to school. 2). They spend 5-6 hours there every day for 10 or 11 years. 3). Therefore, you can very often hear the phrase: "School is our second home." 4). There are many different schools - secondary schools, lyceums, gymnasiums, schools specializing in the study of foreign languages, mathematics, chemistry, biology, etc. 5). And yet, despite the differences, all schools have much in common. 6). First, all students go to school to gain knowledge in various subjects and develop good work skills. 7). In addition, many schools look similar. eight). As a rule, this is a two- or three-story building, quite large, with many classrooms and offices.

nine). When you enter the school, you see the locker room where students leave their coats during the cold season. ten). Here on the first floor you can see the school canteen. eleven). Students come here to eat during the big break. 12). Each school also has an assembly hall. thirteen). All school holidays and meetings are held here. fourteen). Many schools have a sports hall on the ground floor where schoolchildren have physical education lessons. fifteen). Every school has at least two workshops, one for boys and one for girls. sixteen). Girls are taught here to cook, sew, knit. 17). And the boys get acquainted with productive labor, with the latest achievements in technology and modern equipment. eighteen). They are also taught how to use tools and machines,

nineteen). Quite a few classrooms in each school are given over to younger students where they learn to speak, read and write.

20). All modern schools have mostly well-equipped classrooms for studying mathematics, Russian language and literature, geography, history, music and arts. 21). On the walls of the classrooms you can see various schemes and tables, maps and pictures. 22). Modern equipment, such as tape recorders and players, film and slide projectors, makes the learning process easier and more interesting. 23). A few words should be said about the classrooms where physics, chemistry and biology are taught. 24). These classrooms are not only equipped with all the necessary instruments, but they also have scientific laboratories where students conduct experiments and make careful observations of various phenomena. 25). The scientific knowledge that students receive in these laboratories is, of course, very valuable to them.

26). Each school has a good library at the disposal of students. 27). Here they can not only receive textbooks on various subjects, but also take various books for individual reading.

28). Every school that teaches English has special classes. 29). Primary school students here learn to read, write and speak English, they also learn a lot of songs and poems. thirty). High school students read texts, listen to spoken English from records, learn a lot about English-speaking countries, about the traditions, customs and history of their peoples. 31). They meet English writers, read and discuss excerpts from their books, take part in extracurricular activities.

References:
1. 100 topics of oral English (V. Kaverina, V. Boyko, N. Zhidkih) 2002
2. English for schoolchildren and applicants to universities. Oral exam. Topics. Reading texts. Exam questions. (Tsvetkova I.V., Klepalchenko I.A., Myltseva N.A.)
3. English, 120 Topics. English language, 120 conversation topics. (Sergeev S.P.)

More meanings of this word and English-Russian, Russian-English translations for the word «AT SCHOOL» in dictionaries.

AT SCHOOL - at an institution of learning
Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language - Editorial bed
AT SCHOOL - at school
AT SCHOOL - at school
Tiger English-Russian Dictionary
AT SCHOOL
AT SCHOOL - in an educational institution (school, college, institute, university, etc.)
English-Russian-dictionary - Bed release
AT SCHOOL - at school
English-Russian Dictionary of English Idioms
AT SCHOOL - at school
New large English-Russian dictionary
AT SCHOOL - at school
English-Russian dictionary
SCHOOL - (as used in expressions) Annales school Ash Can school Austrian school of economics Avignon school Barbizon school Bohemian ...
English Dictionary Britannica
SCHOOL — I. ˈskül noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English scole, from Old English scōl, from Latin schola leisure devoted to …
- I. ət, (ˈ)at, usu -d.+V preposition Etymology: Middle English, from Old English æt; akin to Old High German az at, …
Webster's New International English Dictionary
SCHOOL - school 1 - schoolable, adj. — schoolless, adj. — schoollike, adj. /skoohl/, n. 1. an institution…
Random House Webster's Unabridged English Dictionary
SCHOOL - I. ˈskül noun Etymology: Middle English scole, from Old English scōl, from Latin schola, from Greek scholē leisure, discussion, lecture, …
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary
SCHOOL - noun a session of an institution of instruction. 2. school noun a shoal; a multitude; as, a school of fish. …
Webster English vocab
prep the relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o "clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first. 2. at ...
Webster English vocab
SCHOOL - n a place where children ...
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
SCHOOL - I. school 1 S1 W1 /skuːl/ BrE AmE noun [ Word Family: noun: school, pre-school, schooling …
- at S1 W1 /ət; strong æt/ BrE AmE preposition [ Language: Old English ; Origin: æt ] 1 . used …
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
SCHOOL-n. &v. --n. 1 an institution for teaching or giving instructions, esp. Brit. for children under 19 years old, …
English basic colloquial vocabulary
SCHOOL-n. &v. n. 1 an institution for teaching or giving instructions, esp. Brit. for children under 19 years old, …
Concise Oxford English Dictionary
SCHOOL - 1.n. &v. --n. 1. an institution for teaching or giving instruction, esp. Brit. for children under 19 …
Oxford English vocab
SCHOOL - (schools, schooling, schooled) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. A school…
- Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Note: In addition to the uses shown …
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
SCHOOL
Longman DOCE5 Extras English vocabulary
SCHOOL-n. Annales school Ash Can school Austrian school of economics Avignon school Barbizon school Bohemian school Bolognese school Burgundian school …
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
SCHOOL
Oxford Collocations English Dictionary
SCHOOL - See GROUP 3, SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY 1.5 ◆◆◆ . comprehensive school. elementary school/grade school . high...
Longman Activator English vocab
SCHOOL-n. 25B6; noun the village school: EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION; academy, college; seminary; alma mater. see list. the university's School of …
Concise Oxford Thesaurus English vocabulary
SCHOOL — noun 1 BAD: Her daughter wants to leave the school and get married. GOOD: Her daughter wants to …
Longman Common Errors English vocabulary
SCHOOL - I 1. n. 1) She works at/in a school. - She works at the school. Their son is still at …
Big English-Russian Dictionary
- I (full form); (reduced form) preposition. 1) (the most general meaning of being at some point in space) y, in, for, on He ...
Big English-Russian Dictionary
SCHOOL - school.ogg _I 1. sku:l n 1. 1> school, educational institution day night /evening/ school elementary /primary/ ...
- at.ogg æt (full form); ət (reduced form) prep 1. in the spatial sense indicates 1> being near some. subject at, ...
English-Russian-English Dictionary of General Vocabulary - Collection of the best dictionaries
SCHOOL - 1) educational 2) school 3) study at school 4) school 5) exams for a degree. - driving school - fixed school - homogeneous school - iterated school - public …
English-Russian Scientific and Technical Dictionary
SCHOOL - _I 1. sku:l n 1. 1> school, educational institution day night /evening/ school elementary /primary/ school ...
- prep 1. in the spatial sense indicates 1> being near some sb. object at, near at the door the window, the …
Big new English-Russian dictionary
SCHOOL - I 1. n. 1) She works at / in a school. - She works at the school. Their son is …
- I æt (full form); ət (reduced form) proposition. 1) (the most general meaning of being in some ...
English-Russian Dictionary of General Vocabulary
SCHOOL - I 1. n. 1) She works at / in a school. - She works at the school. Their son is still at school. — …
- I [‡"] (full form); [†"] (reduced form) at.wav adv. 1) (the most general meaning of being at a certain point in space) y, in, for, on to ...
English-Russian Dictionary of General Vocabulary
SCHOOL-_I 1._n. 1> school - secondary school - high school - higher school - elementaryschool - primary school 2> ...
— _prep. 1> in spaces. meaning indicates a> location in, on, y, at; b> movement in a certain direction in, to, ...
Muller's English-Russian Dictionary - 24th edition
SCHOOL-I 1.n. 1. school - secondary school - high school - higher school - elementaryschool - primary school 2. ...
Muller's English-Russian Dictionary - bed edition
SCHOOL - noun 1) school 2) educational institution 3) teaching, education 4) institute, research institute 5) faculty of the university (giving the right to receive an academic degree). - boarding school - business ...
English-Russian Dictionary of Economics
SCHOOL-_I sku:l 1. _n. 1> school; secondary (_am. high) school higher school elementary (or primary) school ...
Muller's English-Russian Dictionary

W2S1 v past tense and past participle taught ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(school/college etc)¦ 2¦(show somebody how)¦ 3¦(change somebody's ideas)¦ 4¦(experience shows something)¦ 5 that ll teach you (to do something) 6 teach somebody a… … Dictionary of contemporary English

Teach the Controversy- is the name of a Discovery Institute intelligent design campaign to promote intelligent design, a variant of traditional creationism, while discrediting evolution in United States public high school science courses.citation | url=… …Wikipedia

teach- [ titʃ ] (past tense and past participle taught [ tɔt ]) verb *** 1.) intransitive or transitive to help students to learn something in a school, college, university, etc. by giving classes: How long have you been teaching here? teach… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

teach school- (N American) To be a teacher in a school Main Entry: teach * * * teach school/college/etc american phrase to work as a teacher in a school college etc … Useful english dictionary

teach- teach, *instruct, educate, train, discipline, school are comparable when they mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill. Teach implies a direct showing to another with the intent that he will learn; it usually suggests the imparting of… … New Dictionary of Synonyms

teach- v.t. taught, teaching 1. to show or help (a person) to learn (how) to do something n. 1. a place or institution for… … English World dictionary

Teach- (t[=e]ch), v. t. t); p. pr. &vb. n. (Teaching).] cean, imp. t[=ae]hte, to show, teach, akin to t[=a]cn token. See (Token).] 1. To impart the knowledge of; to give… …

teach college- teach school/college/etc american phrase to work as a teacher in a school college etc Thesaurus: to teach someone somethingsynonym teachers and principalshyponym … Useful english dictionary

School-teacher- School teacher, n. One who teaches or instructs a school. (School teaching), n. … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Books

Doug Lemov. The must-have companion workbook to the bestselling Teach Like a Champion 2.0 Teach Like a Champion Field Guide 2.0 is the teacher"s hands-on guide to improving their craft. In Teach Like a… Buy for 2793.45 RUB electronic book