homeschooling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Educational, Parental Discourse
Quick answer
What does “homeschooling” mean?
The practice of educating children at home by parents or tutors, instead of sending them to a public or private school.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of educating children at home by parents or tutors, instead of sending them to a public or private school.
An educational movement and lifestyle choice, sometimes involving organised co-ops, online resources, and alternative pedagogies, motivated by philosophical, religious, or dissatisfaction with mainstream schooling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More prevalent in American discourse. In British English, 'home education' is a more official/legal term, while 'homeschooling' is the common, imported term.
Connotations
In the US, it often carries connotations of religious or conservative family values. In the UK, it may more frequently connote dissatisfaction with the school system or special needs.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English corpus data.
Grammar
How to Use “homeschooling” in a Sentence
[Parents] homeschool [children].[They] are considering homeschooling [their child].Homeschooling requires [dedication].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homeschooling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to homeschool their children due to frequent relocations.
- More families are choosing to homeschool than ever before.
American English
- They homeschool their kids using a faith-based curriculum.
- She has been homeschooling for over a decade.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb; typically 'at home')
American English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb; typically 'at home')
adjective
British English
- They joined a local homeschooling co-op for science lessons.
- The homeschooling regulations vary by local authority.
American English
- They found a great homeschooling curriculum online.
- The conference attracted thousands of homeschooling parents.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in context of companies selling curricula or resources to homeschooling families.
Academic
Common in educational research, sociology, and policy papers discussing alternative education.
Everyday
Common among parents discussing educational choices for their children.
Technical
Used in legal/regulatory contexts regarding compulsory education statutes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homeschooling”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homeschooling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homeschooling”
- Misspelling as 'home schooling' (two words) – increasingly accepted, but 'homeschooling' is standard.
- Using as a countable noun (*'a homeschooling') – it's uncountable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but regulations vary greatly by country and, in the US, by state. Parents often need to notify authorities and follow a curriculum.
This is a common concern. Many homeschooling families participate in co-ops, sports teams, clubs, and community groups to ensure socialisation.
Reasons include dissatisfaction with the school system, religious or philosophical beliefs, a child's special needs (e.g., bullying, learning differences), and a desire for a tailored education.
Yes. Many universities have admissions procedures for homeschooled students, often requiring portfolios, standardised test scores (SAT/ACT), and detailed documentation of their learning.
The practice of educating children at home by parents or tutors, instead of sending them to a public or private school.
Homeschooling is usually formal, educational, parental discourse in register.
Homeschooling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊmˌskuːlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊmˌskulɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take the homeschooling route”
- “To be a homeschooler”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SCHOOL at HOME = HOME-SCHOOL-ing.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A CONTAINER (the home becomes the container for the process of schooling).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is a close synonym for 'homeschooling' in official British English contexts?