Timelines and Structures: English Vocabulary List

the time when students are at school, attending classes and activities, usually from morning to afternoon

"The school day begins with the bell."

"The school day begins with the bell at eight thirty and ends at three fifteen with a break for lunch."

each of the two periods into which a year at schools or universities is divided

"The new semester starts in September."

"I plan to study abroad for the entire fall semester on a university exchange."

the period during which regular academic sessions or terms are conducted in schools or educational institutions

"Term time is busiest for students."

"Term time is busiest for students and they have a short break between the autumn and spring terms."

a break from formal education or employment, usually lasting a year, to pursue personal interests, travel, or other experiences

"The student takes a gap year to travel."

"The student takes a gap year to travel before starting university and works part time to save money."

the period of the year during which schools and universities hold classes

"The academic year has two semesters."

"The academic year has two semesters and each semester lasts approximately fifteen weeks including exams."

a duration of time at school when children are free to exit their classroom and spend their time playing outside

"Children enjoy playtime during school break."

"Dogs need regular playtime to burn off excess energy otherwise they become destructive chewing furniture and barking excessively from boredom and frustration."

a span of time which we do not work or go to school, and spend traveling or resting instead, particularly in a different city, country, etc.

"We are on vacation."

"They spent their vacation in Spain and came back relaxed."

a part of a school day in which there is no class

"During free period."

"Students can relax or study quietly during the free period between two lessons."

a break in the school calendar, typically lasting for one week, occurring midway through a term or semester

"Half-term break lasts one week."

"Half term break lasts one week and families often take short vacations during the autumn holiday."

a paid leave from work, often taken every seven years, for study or personal growth

"The professor took a sabbatical to write a book."

"The professor decided to take a sabbatical to write a new book next year."

a formal permission to be absent, especially from a school or other institution

"The student needed an exeat form."

"An exeat is a formal permission slip granting a student temporary leave from a boarding school or college"