This panel discussion-style podcast, "6 Minute English," from BBC Learning English focuses on analyzing the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings and what they reveal about effective education systems globally. The hosts discuss the contentious nature of comparing vastly different countries using PISA, highlighting that smaller countries often outperform larger Western European nations. They explore the key factor of ensuring all students reach a certain educational standard, regardless of background, as a contributing factor to success, using Estonia as an example. A quiz question about the 2022 PISA reading rankings (Ireland came second after Singapore) is included and answered. Finally, the episode reviews key vocabulary terms related to education and global rankings.
