British English

John had a conversation earlier this week that went like this:
Teacher: Where do you reside?
John: I live in Milimani.
Teacher: No, I asked where do you reside?
John: Oh, I reside in Milimani.

We have been reminded the past couple of weeks of how two people can both be speaking English but still not understand one another. Quite a few words have different meanings than what we are familiar with. Often people are confused with our questions as we are with theirs. Here are some words that we’ve experienced since returning to school.

exam: test
scripts: students’ test papers or compositions
marking scheme: answer key for an assignment or test
marks: number of points a test item is worth
read: to study
revision: study for an exam by looking over past work
intake: enroll in school
clear: when students or teachers leave school they must clear. That means they
have to check with all departments to make sure they don’t have any books or outstanding bills
bursar: school accountant, financial officer.
canteen: shop where students can buy snacks or toiletries on campus
school fees: payment required to enroll in school
tuition: extra lessons taught outside the regular school calendar during the months of April and
August. This is required for Form III and IVs
holiday: school vacation, time off from school
attachment: practicum, apprenticeship, internship
foolscap: loose leaf paper
deputy head teacher: assistant principal, vice principal
sanatorium: nurse’s office
practice teacher: student teacher
birro: ink pen
rubber: eraser
rub: to erase
class list: class roster
revision lessons: extra lessons taught outside of the regular school day in order to covered the curriculum especially in Form III and IV
Form I: freshmen
Form II: sophomores
Form III: juniors
Form IV: seniors
candidates: Form IV students who will be taking the KCSE in October. They are candidates for university if their scores are high enough.

venue: location of an event. The venue will be at St. Moncia’s school.
reside: place where you live
lory: truck
defeated: confused me
promote me: (said by vendors) support me, buy from me