Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite

I know that curricular is an adjective and curriculum a noun, but are they both used in exactly the same meaning? Or are there some differences concerning what they imply or apply to? Being a non-native English speaker I would say that they are the same or at least are used as synonyms. I would prefer to use "curriculum framework" but quite often the translation e.g. from German 'Rahmencurriculum' is made with "curricular framework".

share|improve this question
They do not refer to the same thing. In each case, the reference is the noun, (qualified by the adjective). – Kris Oct 16 '12 at 12:52
@Marthaª Does that mean I got the question wrong? The title refers to one thing while the edit suggests it's asking the difference between curriculum and curricular. – Kris Oct 16 '12 at 15:36
@Kris, the title is also about curriculum vs. curricular: the change of order is necessary because adjectives need to precede nouns. Or at least that's how I interpret it, but naturally Joksteri has the final say. – Marthaª Oct 16 '12 at 16:43

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote

'[Rahmencurriculum]1' (Ger.) translates to model curriculum (curriculum according to a specific framework) in English. The reference is to curriculum.

It is clearly not curricular framework in OP's case.

[EDIT]
A framework curriculum is a sample/ model built on the basis of guidelines (the 'framework'). Individual institutions can design their curricula on this model, or probably adopt it as such.

A curricular framework (loosely, curriculum framework) is a set of guidelines defining and explaining what a curriculum is required to be like or contain.

share|improve this answer
2  
It would be helpful to define the three terms "curriculum framework", "curricular framework", and "framework curriculum" asked about and contrast their meaning. What is intuitively clear to one person may not be to another. Also please substantiate with reliable sources. – MετάEd Oct 16 '12 at 13:35
The reason I did not delve into further detail is that the specific definitions depend on the local conventions and practices. In German schools, they could have formulated a model curriculum, on the basis of which, schools design their curricula. That is merely our surmise, though. – Kris Oct 16 '12 at 15:09

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.