Remedial Meaning and Definition
Remedial
Pronunciation
/ˈrɛmɪˌdiəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A remedial education program or course designed to help students who are struggling with a particular subject or skill.
Examples
- The student required remedial math classes to catch up on her grades.
- Remedial reading classes were offered at the local community college.
- Children with learning disabilities often require remedial education to help them keep up with their peers.
Synonyms
- Supplementary
- Tutoring
Etymology
The word “remedial” originated from the Latin term “remedium,” meaning “cure” or “remedy,” which is derived from “re-” (again) and “mederi” (to heal).
Usage Notes
When using remedial, it is essential to consider the student’s individual needs and learning style, as each remedial program or course may cater to different learning difficulties.
Cultural References
Remedial education was a significant focus in the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006), where the main character, Chris Gardner, struggled to provide for his son and had to resort to remedial courses to re-learn algebra.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Catch up (to learn something new)
Related Words or Phrases
Tutoring, supplementary, enrichment, special education
Collocations
Remedial math, remedial reading, remedial classes
Frequency of Use
Remedial is a relatively less frequently used term in modern language, especially outside educational circles. However, it can be an essential word to use when describing special education programs or individual learning difficulties.
Common Misspellings
Remedeeal, Remediel, Remidial