- Are you unsure whether to say you are “making” or “designing” a curriculum?
- Do you know the difference between a “core curriculum” and a “hidden curriculum”?
- Are you looking for the professional verbs that academic experts use when talking about school programs?
Mastering curriculum collocations is essential for anyone working in education, administration, or corporate training. Using the right word combinations allows you to sound authoritative and precise, moving beyond basic vocabulary to the professional level expected in academic and professional environments.
Essential Collocations using Curriculum as a Noun
In modern English, “curriculum” functions almost exclusively as a noun. Because it refers to a complex system of study, the verbs and adjectives we pair with it are specific to the fields of pedagogy and management.
Verbs Used with Curriculum (Actions)
These collocations describe the process of creating, using, or changing a course of study.
- Design a curriculum: To plan the structure and content from the beginning. “The department head spent the summer designing a new curriculum for the digital marketing program.”
- Implement a curriculum: To put a planned curriculum into practice in the classroom. “The school will implement the revised science curriculum starting this September.”
- Revise / Revamp a curriculum: To update or significantly change an existing program. “It is necessary to revamp the curriculum every few years to keep up with technological changes.”
- Follow a curriculum: To teach according to the established guidelines. “All public schools in the region must follow the national curriculum.”
- Tailor a curriculum: To adjust a curriculum to meet specific needs. “The language center tailors its curriculum to meet the needs of international business students.”
Adjectives Used with Curriculum (Descriptions)
These words provide more detail about the nature, difficulty, or scope of the study program.
- Core curriculum: The central, mandatory subjects that every student must take. “Mathematics and literacy remain the foundation of the core curriculum.”
- Rigorous curriculum: A challenging and demanding program of study. “The university is known for its rigorous curriculum in engineering.”
- Hidden curriculum: The unwritten lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in school. “The hidden curriculum can often influence a student’s social development more than textbooks do.”
- Broad / Balanced curriculum: A program that covers many different subjects and skills. “We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that includes the arts and physical education.”
- Enriched curriculum: A program that provides extra depth or activities beyond the standard requirements. “The gifted and talented program offers an enriched curriculum for advanced learners.”
Prepositions Used with Curriculum
- In the curriculum: Used when talking about what is included. “Critical thinking skills should be embedded in the curriculum.”
- Across the curriculum: Used when a skill or topic is taught in all subjects. “Writing skills are emphasized across the curriculum, not just in English class.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Design a curriculum | Verb + Noun | To create a plan for a course of study. |
| Core curriculum | Adjective + Noun | The mandatory, basic subjects. |
| Implement a curriculum | Verb + Noun | To start using a curriculum in a school. |
| National curriculum | Adjective + Noun | The standard program set by a government. |
| Curriculum development | Noun + Noun | The professional process of improving courses. |
| Rigorous curriculum | Adjective + Noun | A very difficult and high-quality program. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid these common “translation-style” errors by choosing the more natural collocations used by native speakers.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make a curriculum | Design or Develop a curriculum |
| The school’s program is hard | The school has a rigorous curriculum |
| Update the curriculum list | Revise or Revamp the curriculum |
| The main subjects | The core curriculum |
Contextual Story
“When the board decided to overhaul the curriculum, they knew it wouldn’t be easy. The goal was to design a curriculum that stayed true to the core curriculum requirements while offering a more rigorous curriculum for advanced students. After months of curriculum development, the faculty began to implement the curriculum in the fall. They were pleased to see that the new focus on digital literacy was integrated across the curriculum, helping students prepare for modern careers.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Curriculum Collocations
What is the plural of curriculum?
In academic writing, the Latin plural curricula is most common. However, in modern, everyday English, curriculums is also accepted. If you want to sound more formal, use “curricula.”
What is the difference between a ‘curriculum’ and a ‘syllabus’?
A curriculum is broad; it refers to the entire program of study at a school or for a specific degree. A syllabus is narrow; it is a document for a single specific class that lists dates, assignments, and grading policies.
Which preposition should I use: ‘in’ or ‘on’ the curriculum?
In 99% of cases, use “in the curriculum.” For example: “Programming is now included in the curriculum.” Using “on” is generally considered incorrect in this context.
Can ‘curriculum’ be used as a verb?
No, “curriculum” is strictly a noun. If you need a verb to describe the action of creating one, use design, develop, or curate.
What does ‘extracurricular’ mean?
This is an adjective derived from the noun. It refers to activities that are outside the regular curriculum, such as sports, music, or drama clubs.
Excellent piece! I find that understanding the nuances between words like 'design' and 'create' is where true language mastery lies.
Are there any informal or slang ways to refer to a curriculum? Just curious about the range of usage, though I know this article is about professional terms.
The article's focus on sounding 'authoritative and precise' really resonates with me. That's my main goal for improving my professional English.
As a Portuguese speaker, the concept of 'collocation' is so important. We also have fixed phrases, and knowing these English ones prevents awkward translation mistakes. Thank you!
Fantastic article! The practical examples make it easy to remember. I'm going to share this with my study group.
I'm still a bit confused about 'implement' versus 'execute.' Can they be used interchangeably with 'curriculum'?
That's a subtle but important distinction, Lin! While both mean 'to put into effect,' 'implement a curriculum' is the standard and most natural collocation. 'Execute' is generally used for plans, orders, or tasks, suggesting carrying them out directly. While you *could* say 'execute a curriculum' and be understood, 'implement a curriculum' is the precise and professional term for putting an educational program into practice. Stick with 'implement' for educational contexts!
I manage corporate training programs, so I constantly work with 'designing' and 'implementing' training curricula. This article validates my word choices. Are there any other specific verbs used for *corporate* curriculum management?
That's great to hear, Ivan! Many of these collocations transfer perfectly to corporate training. Additionally, in a corporate context, you might also 'tailor a curriculum' to specific company needs, 'align a curriculum' with business objectives, or 'update a curriculum' to reflect new industry standards. These verbs help articulate the strategic development of training programs. Keep up the excellent work!
This blog consistently delivers high-quality content for advanced learners. The focus on collocations is so important for fluency beyond basic grammar.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Sophie! We completely agree – mastering collocations is a cornerstone of advanced fluency and natural-sounding English. It's how native speakers combine words intuitively. We're delighted to be a valuable resource for your language journey!
I'm curious about the plural form of 'curriculum.' Is it 'curriculums' or 'curricula' in modern English, especially in professional contexts?
That's an excellent question, Oliver! Both 'curriculums' and 'curricula' are accepted plural forms in modern English. 'Curricula' is the traditional Latin plural and is often preferred in formal academic and professional contexts, signaling a more educated usage. 'Curriculums' is more common in general usage and is perfectly acceptable, though some might consider it slightly less formal. For professional writing, 'curricula' is often the safer and more widely respected choice!
As a new ESL teacher, this is invaluable. I'm currently helping to 'adapt' our curriculum for online learning. Is 'adapt a curriculum' also a common collocation?
Absolutely, Fatima! 'Adapt a curriculum' is a very common and appropriate collocation, especially in today's educational landscape. It means to modify an existing curriculum to suit new conditions, learners, or delivery methods, such as online learning. You're using it perfectly! Best of luck with your online teaching!