Lesson 3: Education & School Subjects
What Do You Study?
Everyone has experience with education1, whether in primary school, university, or language classes like this one! Being able to talk about what you study is important for conversation. This lesson will teach you the vocabulary for different school subjects2 and the world of learning.
General Education Terms
| education | ការអប់រំ | The process of teaching and learning. Example: "A good education is very important." |
| subject | មុខវិជ្ជា | An area of knowledge you study at school. Example: "What is your favorite subject?" |
| grade | ពិន្ទុ / ថ្នាក់ | A score for a test, or your year level in school. Example: "She got a good grade on her exam." |
| homework3 | កិច្ចការផ្ទះ | Work a teacher gives you to do at home. Example: "I have to finish my math homework." |
| university4 | សាកលវិទ្យាល័យ | A high-level school you attend after high school. Example: "He studies at a university in Phnom Penh." |
Common School Subjects
| Mathematics (Math)5 | គណិតវិទ្យា | The study of numbers, shapes, and quantities. Example: "I find mathematics very difficult." |
| Science6 | វិទ្យាសាស្ត្រ | The study of the natural world (biology, chemistry, etc.). Example: "We do experiments in science class." |
| History7 | ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ | The study of past events. Example: "We are learning about the history of Cambodia." |
| Literature8 | អក្សរសាស្ត្រ | The study of written works like novels and poems. Example: "In literature class, we read many stories." |
| Art9 | សិល្បៈ | The study of creating beautiful things, like painting. Example: "She is very good at art." |
Usage Note: "Study" vs. "Learn"
These two verbs are related but different. This is a key difference for B1 learners.
- To study is the action or process you do.
Example: "I need to study for my exam tonight." - To learn is the result of studying. It is when you get new knowledge in your head.
Example: "I studied for three hours, and I finally learned how to solve the problem."
You study *in order to* learn.
In Conversation
Bora and Srey are talking about their classes.
Srey: Hi Bora! You look tired. Did you finish your homework?
Bora: Not yet. I have to finish my History report. We are learning about ancient civilizations.
Srey: Ah, that's my favorite subject! I think history is more interesting than Mathematics.
Bora: I agree! I don't get good grades in math. But I do well in Science. I like doing the experiments.
Srey: What about after high school? Do you want to go to university?
Bora: Yes, I want to study Art or Literature. I love reading stories and being creative.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. Which subject involves studying numbers, quantities, and shapes?
- a) History
- b) Literature
- c) Mathematics
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) Mathematics
2. Choose the correct words: "I need ______ for three hours so that I can ______ all the new words."
- a) to learn / to study
- b) to study / to learn
- c) to grade / to study
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) to study / to learn
3. Where would you go to get a high-level degree after finishing high school?
- a) In primary school
- b) At university
- c) In a pagoda
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) At university
edit Your Mission
- My Subjects: Write two sentences about your own education. What was your favorite subject in school? What subject was difficult for you?
- Study vs. Learn: Write one sentence that uses both 'study' and 'learn' correctly. (e.g., "I will study the new vocabulary words tonight so I can learn them for the test.")
- Speak: Your mission is to ask a friend, "What was your favorite subject in school?". Tell them your favorite subject.
book Lesson Glossary
- Education (noun) - Khmer: ការអប់រំ - The process of teaching and learning. ↩
- Subject (noun) - Khmer: មុខវិជ្ជា - An area of knowledge you study at school. ↩
- Homework (noun) - Khmer: កិច្ចការផ្ទះ - Work a teacher gives you to do at home. ↩
- University (noun) - Khmer: សាកលវិទ្យាល័យ - A high-level school for study after high school. ↩
- Mathematics (Math) (noun) - Khmer: គណិតវិទ្យា - The study of numbers and shapes. ↩
- Science (noun) - Khmer: វិទ្យាសាស្ត្រ - The study of the natural world. ↩
- History (noun) - Khmer: ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ - The study of past events. ↩
- Literature (noun) - Khmer: អក្សរសាស្ត្រ - The study of written works like novels and poems. ↩
- Art (noun) - Khmer: សិល្បៈ - The study of creating beautiful things, like painting. ↩