C1 Advanced Vocabulary – TV Show Lesson

Returning to school from winter break, as a means to ease back into the swing of things I thought it would be fun to break down an episode from one of my absolute favorite sitcoms. Discussions around the differences in Education systems from one country to the next can be particularly of interest for English Learners so this is a great starting point to get things rolling. The episode “English as a Second Language” (Season 1, Episode 24) revolves around the study group’s Spanish class (as they are finishing their second semester of Spanish class) and features relevent themes of language learning as well as cultural differences of course. While not specifically focused on English as a Second Language (ESL), this episode’s humor and plotlines would still be relatable and engaging for advanced ESL learners.

According to TextAnalyzer.com, the script is classified as Upper Intermediate, with strong Advanced phrases. The CEFR level is C1, with an IELTS level of 6.5-8. You can see the list of words and their definitions here.

Date taught: 7 February 2024

Community TV Show, Season 1 – Episode 24

Title: English as a Second Language

giving me fits (idiom): someone or something is creating a highly stressful and frustrating situation that is very hard on the speaker

ready and raring to go (phrase): Raring to go originated in the early 19th century as a term meaning to be at the ready or impatient to be off. Rare is likely a variant of the word rear, meaning to rise up or stand on one’s hind legs. The word is used to describe a horse rising up in impatience or anxiety before plunging forward.

cult following (n): a group of fans who are highly dedicated to some person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The latter is often called a cult classic. A film, book, musical artist, television series, or video game, among other things, is said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fanbase.

semester (n) [B1]: (especially in North America) one of the two periods that the school or college year is divided into

housekeeping item: (a term often used during business meetings) housekeeping in a meeting refers to the administrative tasks and procedures that need to be taken care of before, during, and after the meeting; housekeeping in general is used to refer to the work and organization involved in running a home, including the shopping and cleaning

out in the boonies/boondocks (n): an area far away from cities or towns

general education courses (n): (also called Gen Eds) a program that develops students’ general knowledge, literacy, skills, and competencies to equip them with the foundation for lifelong learning and advanced academic curricula

soft sciences (n): any of the specialized fields or disciplines, as psychology, sociology, anthropology, or political science, that interpret human behavior, institutions, society, etc., on the basis of scientific investigations for which it may be difficult to establish strictly measurable criteria

In general, the formal sciences and natural sciences are considered hard science, whereas the social sciences and other sciences are described as soft science.

open to interpretation (phrase): something which can be understood in different ways, and therefore can be understood differently based on perspective

affordability/cheap/bargain basement (n) [C2]: a part of a large shop, usually in the floor below street level, where goods are sold at reduced prices

as usual (idiom): (also shortened to: as yuzh/юж) in a way that often happens and is expected

certificate program: a specialized education designed to develop or strengthen specific career skills. A certificate program is considered continuing education in some cases because it builds on your knowledge of a particular career or industry.

undergraduate (n): a student at a college or university who has not yet received a bachelor’s degree (= the first degree given)

university (n): a place where people study for an undergraduate (= first) or postgraduate (= higher level) degree

college (n): a smaller version of a university where you can study for an undergraduate (= first) degree
see more here: Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, College (noun)

junior college (n): a college in the US where students study for two years
community college (n): a two-year college where students can learn a skill or prepare to enter a university
–> traditionally been viewed as less academically serious
–> often found in smaller towns as opposed to bigger cities, more local as in someone’s hometowns

vocational/trade school (n): a type of educational institution, which, depending on the country, may refer to either secondary or post-secondary education designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to complete the tasks of a particular and specific job; education that prepares people for a skilled craft as an artisan, trade as a tradesperson, or work as a technician

graduate school (n): relating to or working toward a university degree beyond the one you receive after four years of study (ie: master’s degree or doctorate)

professional school (n): Professional school programs help prepare students for careers in specific fields. Examples include medical, law, pharmacy, business, library, and social work schools.

More information about Graduate Degrees and Program Examples

gap year (n): a year between leaving school and starting university that is usually spent travelling or working

ivy league (n): a group of colleges and universities in the US that have a good reputation

elite institutions (n) [C1]: the richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society

merit-based scholorships: a kind of college funding that is not based on financial need but, instead, on a student’s merits or achievements. Merit aid is often given to students that excel in academics, extracurricular activities, athletics, arts leadership, and other areas.

SATs (n): (abbreviation of: Scholastic Aptitude Test) a test taken in the US to measure students’ abilities before they go to college

ACTs (n): ACT was an acronym for American College Test and was used when the exam was first introduced in 1959. These days, that title has been dropped, and ACT actually no longer stands for anything. However, the test has continued to be an important part of the college application process for many students in the U.S.

For more information about the difference between the SAT exam and the ACT exam, see here.

FAFSA form: (abbreviation of: Free Application for Federal Student Aid), is a form used to apply for financial aid. Completing the FAFSA form is the only way to access the largest source of financial aid—federal student aid—to help Americans pay for their education.

dropout (n): a person who leaves school, college, or university before completing a qualification, or a person who lives in an unusual way

the bar exam (n): an examination administered by the bar association of a jurisdiction that a lawyer must pass in order to be admitted to the bar of that jurisdiction (typically a certain state)

desperate (adj) [B2] ploy: feeling or showing that you have little hope and are ready to do anything without worrying about danger to yourself or others
desperate ploy (n): words or actions that are carefully planned to get an advantage over somebody else

malicious (adj) [C1]: having or showing a desire to harm somebody or hurt their feelings, caused by a feeling of hate

manipulative (adj): showing skill at influencing somebody or forcing somebody to do what you want, often in an unfair way

permission to treat the witness as hostile (phrase): courtroom phrase, a cue to both the judge and the jury that a witness is not cooperating with the judicial process and/or is not being honest with their answers
I’ll allow it: the Judge’s response, giving permission

drop the dime (ph.v.): to give information (as to the authorities) about another’s improper or unlawful activities; to inform authorities (such as the police) of another’s wrongdoing
EXMAPLE: Jeff: JEFF: You heard Chang tell me he was bogus, and then dropped the dime because you would do anything to keep this group together, because you are insecure. Because you didn’t get hot until after high school.

Disney face: a reference to the endearing way that Disney characters (especially Disney Princesses) have softened features and large adorable eyes, in a way that makes you empathize with them and love them; it is also an indirect reference to the fact that Annie is always being referred to as a princess character

eyes will flutter (v): to make a series of quick delicate movements up and down or from side to side, or to cause something to do this (such as eyelashes, or the wings of a butterfly)

ark of the covenant (phrase): (in the Bible) a wooden box that contained the writings of Jewish law, and that represented to the people of Israel the idea of God being present and leading them; in this episode, it was a reference to the ending of the hit 1981 Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, where the villains opened up the titular Ark of the Covenant and their faces melted off due to witnessing the holy fire held within it. This reference allowed Abed to relate to the situation and to shield his eyes.

picture her as Paul Giamatti: an actor, best known for leading roles in the films American Splendor (2003), Sideways (2004), and Barney’s Version (2010) (for which he won a Golden Globe), and supporting roles in the films Cinderella Man (2005), The Illusionist (2006), and San Andreas (2015).

Paul Giamatti

PA announcement: A public address system (or PA system) is an electronic system comprising microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and related equipment. A PA announcement is an announcement made using this system.

boning up on smth (ph.v.): to try to learn about something or to remind yourself of what you already know about it

Spanish 101, 102, 103: In American colleges and universities, often the designations given for courses follow the same naming conventions when classifying the course. For example: Spanish 101 will always be the standard beginner Spanish class, however anything with a number lower than 101 will be a remedial course in the subject. Depending on the institution, other numbers may be used for other class names. (see image below)

Usually 100-level classes are designed for first year freshman, 200-level classes are designed for second-year sophmores, 300-level classes for third-year juniors, and 400-level classes for fourth-year seniors.

crickets (n): a small brown jumping insect that makes a loud high sound by rubbing its wings together; The term “crickets” is often used when someone asks a question and gets no response. Crickets has come to mean absolute silence; no communication. This expression was derived from the cinematic metaphor of chirping crickets at night, signally (otherwise) complete silence

Anthropology (n): the study of the human race, especially of its origins, development, customs and beliefs

take a full (course) load (n): the total of high school or college courses someone is taking. In University Programs, a full course load is normally 5 courses per semester, or 15 semester credit hours.
EXAMPLE: I have a table for one at Morty’s Steak House where I will celebrate becoming a lawyer again, which can only happen if I take a full load.

BFF (abbreviation): best friend (forever)

may I have a word (with someone) (idiom): to talk with someone briefly
may I have a word with you in private: typically someone will say this before the two of them leave to go into another room or hallway where they can speak privately without anyone else listening

bag boy (n): a boy or young man hired to place shoppers’ purchases (such as groceries) in bags

the misdirect (v): to send somebody/something in the wrong direction or to the wrong place; in the case of Community, it often involves subverting expectations

finals (n): an exam taken by school, university or college students at the end of a semester or quarter

(straight) from the horse’s mouth (idiom): If you hear something (straight) from the horse’s mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of it.

prodigy (n): someone with a very great ability that usually shows itself when that person is a young child

the end justifies the means (idiom): said about a situation in which the final aim is so important that any way of achieving it is acceptable

conniving (adj): A conniving person deceives others for their own advantage

four-year plan/five-year plan: an outline of professional and/or personal goals you want to reach within the next set period (typically five years or ten years). It usually includes broad goals relating to career, relationships, health, and finances that are broken down into action items and milestones.

keytar (n): an electronic keyboard that is supported by a shoulder strap and worn across the body like a guitar

defeatist (adj): having no hope and expecting to fail; an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat

ratted out (ph.v.): to tell somebody in authority about something wrong that somebody else has done.

court reporter (n): a stenographer who records and transcribes a verbatim report of all proceedings in a court of law

lip will quiver (v): to shake slightly, often because of strong emotion
EXAMPLE: Lennie’s bottom lip quivered and tears started in his eyes.

rehabilitate (v): the process of helping someone to stop taking drugs or alcohol
rehab (n): often referring to a clinic which specializes in the rehabilitation process and controls when the person leaves the facility or who the person is exposed to (so that the person is better able to quit their addiction)

eyes on the prize (idiom): used to say that someone keeps their attention on what they are trying to achieve, even when this is difficult

subtext (n): a hidden or less obvious meaning; the implicit or metaphorical meaning (as of a literary text)

insinuate (v): to impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way
insinuation (n): the action of suggesting, without being direct, that something unpleasant is true

buckle down (ph.v.): to start working hard
EXAMPLE: He’ll have to buckle down to his work soon if he wants to pass his finals.

verb conjugation (n): a schematic arrangement of the inflectional forms of a verb; the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated

to post grades (v): to stick or pin a notice on a wall in order to make it publicly known; to publish something online to make it visible to the public (or, in reference to grades, visible for the students to see when they log in to the school website)
grades (n): a number or letter that shows how good someone’s work or performance is; SYNONYM: marks
EXAMPLE: Whether I go to university or not is dependent on what exam grades I get.

GPA (n): (abbreviation of Grade Point Average) a number that is the average mark received for all the courses a student takes and shows how well the student is doing

lead (n): a piece of information that allows a discovery to be made or a solution to be found
half-hearted mislead (n): A wrong or bad lead; a leading in the wrong direction

subplot (n): a part of the story of a book or play that develops separately from the main story

long-lasting consequences:

ahead of it’s time (idiom): too advanced or modern to be understood or appreciated during the time when one lives or works