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English language resources

Topic Vocabulary

University-level texts and lectures often use specialised vocabulary. Understanding topic vocabulary is essential for communication at university. It helps to effectively comprehend and engage with course materials, participate in class discussions, and to write clear and concise essays and reports.

It is also important for communication with peers and teachers. Using the correct terminology to discuss ideas can lead to more productive collaborations with other students and more informative feedback. Proper use is key for writing clear and concise essays and submissions. 

These word lists provide examples of key subject-specific language for some areas of study at Notre Dame. Each includes a summary of key terms, examples of usage and some short activities. There is also a word list of key vocabulary related to Catholicism, which will help students to understand the culture of a Catholic university like Notre Dame and participate in Core courses.