School Subjects in English You Need to Know

Key takeaways:

• The most common words for “subject” in English are subject and course, while school subject is the most specific for a classroom setting.
• This guide provides a full vocabulary list of school subjects, including core subjects and extracurriculars, plus terms for classroom objects and school staff.
• Vocabulary memorization works best with strategies like contextualized sentences, word grouping by theme, visual associations, and spaced repetition.
• You’ll also find everyday conversation examples about school, such as asking about favorite subjects, grades, or homework.

Do you know how to say your favorite school subject in English? Talking about school subjects comes up in many situations — from job interviews to casual conversations — and having the right vocabulary makes a big difference.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to say all the most common school subjects in English. You’ll also get extra vocabulary and useful expressions to talk naturally about school life.

How to Refer to School Subjects in English

Before we dive in, let’s discuss how we can refer to subjects in English.

• School subject – the most specific term for school contexts.
• Subject – a general word used for both school and university disciplines.
• Course – often refers to a program of study, a set of lessons, or a learning path (commonly used in higher education).
• Class – usually refers to the individual lessons or the subject as it’s taught (e.g., math class).
• Discipline – a more formal word, often used in academic or professional contexts.

 Example:

• Math is my favorite school subject.
• I’m taking an English course at university.

School Subjects in English List 

To help you expand your vocabulary, here’s a full list of school subjects in English with their IPA pronunciation.

Core School Subjects in English

The pronunciation column uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), a universal way to represent sounds precisely, helping learners pronounce words correctly no matter their native language.

Specific and Extracurricular School Subjects in English

Also, check out the names of school subjects in English that are more specific:

1

Example Sentences with School Subjects in English

The names of school subjects in English are used in academic contexts. In this setting, it’s common to ask about preferences, compare one subject with another, or talk about how difficult a class might be.

Here are some common example sentences to help you join these conversations:

• What’s your favorite school subject? 
• My favorite subject is history because I love learning about the past. 
• Which subjects are you taking this semester? 
• I’m taking math, English, biology, and geography this semester. 
• What’s the hardest subject for you? 
• The hardest subject for me is chemistry, especially the lab work.
• Which subject do you think is the most useful?
• I think English is the most useful subject because it helps in many areas of life.
• Are you good at mathematics? 
• I’m not very good at it, but I try to practice every day.
• Why didn’t you attend history class? 
• I didn’t attend history class because I was sick.
• What grade did you get in English? 
• I got an A in English this semester. 
• Can you help me with my Spanish homework? 
• Sure! Let’s work on it together.
• How often do you have art classes?
• I have art classes twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

School Subjects Vocabulary: Classroom Objects and School Expressions in English

Besides school subjects, there are many other useful words related to school life. From everyday objects like a desk and chalk to common activities like taking notes or giving a presentation, this special vocabulary helps you sound more natural.

Classroom Objects in English

• Agenda
• Art paints / Paint
• Bag
• Bin / Trash can
• Binder
• Book
• Bookmark
• Bookshelf
• Calculator
• Cardboard
• Chalk
• Colored pencil / Colouring pencils
• Crayon / Crayons
• Dictionary
• Duct tape / Adhesive tape / Scotch tape
• Folder
• Glue
• Handbook / Textbook
• Highlighter
• Mechanical pencil
• Notebook
• Paper
• Paper clips / Clip / Paper clip
• Pen
• Pencil
• Pencil case
• Principal
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Sharpener / Pencil sharpener
• Stapler
• Uniform
• Utility knife
• Whiteboard

School People in English

• Classmate
• Coach
• Headmaster / Headmistress / Principal
• Janitor
• School Counselor
• Student
• Teacher
• Teaching Assistant

General School Vocabulary in English

• Break / Recess
• Class / Lesson
• Course
• Exam
• Grade / Mark
• Lesson plan
• School holidays
• Test

Tips to Memorize the Names of School Subjects in English

Learning vocabulary in English doesn’t have to mean endlessly repeating words until they stick. To avoid boring memorization and make your study more effective, try these strategies:

• Put vocabulary into context with sentences: Your brain remembers better when there’s context, intention, and creativity. Create sentences that have personal meaning to you. For example, instead of just repeating Math, say: “I am good at Math because I like solving problems.”
• Group words by theme: Organizing words by topic helps your brain make connections and recall a whole group at once. Instead of alphabetical lists, try making thematic lists (e.g., sciences, arts, languages).
• Use visual associations: Images, colors, and mind maps make memorization much easier. Flashcards are a great tool: for Chemistry, for example, you could draw a scientist mixing colorful potions in a lab.
• Practice with spaced repetition: Trying to learn all the vocabulary in one day is less effective than reviewing a little every day. Spaced repetition helps move new words from short-term memory into long-term memory.

Learn English Effectively and Enjoyably with Promova

Now that you know the vocabulary for school subjects, it’s time to go beyond theory. Promova gives you a complete and personalized learning experience to help you reach your English goals.

With our platform, you can:

• Take online lessons with tutors: get personalized feedback and practice pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar with native or fluent teachers.
• Practice with AI: simulate conversations in real-life scenarios — from daily life to more complex situations — in a safe, interactive way.
• Join group lessons: learn in a small group of up to six learners, with professional teachers and a high-quality study program. Plus, take a placement test to find the right level for you.

Conclusion

By mastering school subjects vocabulary in English, you’ll gain the confidence to express yourself in different contexts — whether telling a friend about your favorite subject or describing your study routine. More than just translating words, this guide gave you essential phrases and terms to navigate the world of school in English. 

With the learning strategies above and constant practice, this new vocabulary will soon become a natural part of your communication — opening the door to smoother, more spontaneous conversations!