currículo escolar
/kurikulo eskolaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "school curriculum" is translated into Spanish as currículo escolar.
currículo escolar refers to the set of courses and content that students are required to study in a school.
Which one should you use?
While currículo refers specifically to the academic content, plan de estudios is often used more broadly to describe the structured schedule or program of a specific educational course.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia, the phrase Pensum Académico is used to mean Plan de Estudios (school curriculum).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must be pluralized: currículos escolares.
Did you know?
- The word pensum used in Colombian academic titles comes from a Latin term for a specific weight of wool. It originally described the amount of work a spinner was assigned to complete.
- The Spanish word escolar shares a deep linguistic root with the Latin word excolāre, which means 'to refine' or 'to improve'. This links the concept of schooling with the process of polishing a person's character.
- Depending on the context, saying el currículo without the word escolar might lead a native speaker to believe you are talking about a professional 'CV' or 'resume' rather than a school program.
Examples in context
- La universidad actualizó su plan de estudios para el próximo año académico.The university updated its school curriculum for the upcoming academic year.
- El programa de estudios de la carrera de Medicina requiere una amplia base de conocimientos científicos.The medical school curriculum requires a broad foundation of scientific knowledge.
- ¿Cuáles son los cursos que forman parte de tu plan de estudio este semestre?Which courses are part of your school curriculum this semester?
- El currículo escolar se centra en las matemáticas y las ciencias.The school curriculum focuses on mathematics and science.
- El currículo escolar cambió este año.The school curriculum changed this year.
- Debemos seguir el currículo escolar oficial.We must follow the official school curriculum.
- ¿Es este currículo escolar muy difícil?Is this school curriculum very difficult?
Example conversation
Two teachers are discussing a new educational program.
- DanielDaniel, ¿leíste el nuevo currículo escolar?Daniel, did you read the new school curriculum?
- LucíaSí, Lucía, me parece muy completo.Yes, Lucía, it seems very comprehensive to me.
- DanielCreo que el currículo escolar necesita más ciencias.I think the school curriculum needs more science.
- LucíaTienes razón, podemos proponer un cambio.You are right, we can propose a change.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries currículo, escolar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
