Is It Most Correct to Say Pupil or Student When Referring to Someone in Elementary School?
In the context of elementary school, both terms are used, but the term student is more commonly employed in the United States. This article delves into the usage and origins of these terms to clarify which is the most correct to use.
Usage in the US and UK
A seasoned elementary school teacher for almost two decades in the United States notes that the term pupil has largely fallen out of common usage in schools. Nowadays, students is the preferred term. In the UK, while pupil is still used, it is gradually being replaced by student. The shift is largely due to the dual meaning of pupil, which refers to a part of the eye, making it more susceptible to confusion.
The Difference Between Pupil and Student
Pupil is defined as a person or learner who is enrolled in an educational institution or school and is under the direct supervision of a teacher, often because they are a minor or have special needs. In most parts of the world, including England and Asia, term "pupil" is used to refer to schoolchildren, children in Nursery and Kindergarten, and young people under 18 years old who are enrolled in a learning facility. The term comes from the Old French word "pupille," derived from the Latin word "pupillus," meaning “orphan, minor, or ward,” first used in the 14th century.
Student, on the other hand, is defined as a learner or a person who is enrolled and attends classes in an educational institution. It is also used to refer to someone who is undergoing further studies in a specific field or discipline in order to gain mastery of the subject. The word “student” comes from the Middle English word “student” or “studiant,” which is from the Old French word “estudiant” meaning “one who studies.” It further originates from the Latin word “studium” which means “study.”
Key Distinctions and Origin
Here are the key distinctions and origins of both terms:
A pupil is usually a young learner in primary or secondary school. A student is an enrolled learner in a college or university, and it also refers to individuals who are mature and do not require supervision. Pupils are those who are below 18 years old and are in need of supervision, while students are those who are 18 years or older and can learn on their own. The term pupil has origins in Latin and refers to a minor or ward, while the term student has Latin roots meaning study.Current Usage Trends
While pupil is still widely used in the UK, the trend shows that it is gradually being replaced by student, especially in formal and academic contexts. In the U.S., the term student is used uniformly for all ages.
Conclusion
In summary, while both pupil and student are correct terms, student has become the more prevalent term in the U.S. and is also gaining ground in the UK. The choice ultimately depends on the context and the audience.