中文「常識」是個多義詞 (polyseme)，一般人往往把它和common sense 畫上等號，其實「常識」對應的英文須視上下文語境來決定。
日常的「基本常識」是basic general knowledge；根據Wikipedia，General knowledge 是 "culturally valued knowledge communicated by a range of non-specialist media and encompassing a wide subject range.”
科學/數學/電腦的「常識/基本知識」可以說 the ABC of science/math/computer 或 the basics of science/ math/ computer，見下例：Learn the ABC of science before you attempt to scale its peaks. Never embark on what comes after without having mastered what goes before. (Pavlov, A LETTER TO THE YOUTH)
「有沒常識呀？」Do you have common sense? 是在罵人沒有 “the ability to judge things, make sound decisions, and act in a reasonable way.”
小學的「常識」課是General Studies，如：General Studies for Primary Schools;
Longman General Studies for Primary 1-6《朗文常識》
至於人盡皆知的事 (something that many or most people know)，偶爾也稱「常識」，It's common knowledge that she plans to run for mayor. (Merriam-Webster’s)
最近我們為「十二年國教」課程名稱審訂英譯，其中「國學常識」原譯為Introduction to Sinology，意思變成是「漢學導論」。我建議改為 Fundamentals of the Chinese Classics，經過討論，最後我們決定譯為Essentials of the Chinese Classics。
台北書林書店辦了3場「蘇老師的英語天地」講習，本來希望我講英文文法，我說我不擅長，也不喜歡談文法，還是談些多年來英文改寫、編輯的經驗，相信對來聽講的朋友更有用。 (Jerome Su, Nov. 13, 18)
11/17(六) 13:00-15:00
為什麼英美人士不說 “How long haven’t we seen each other?”
12/01(六) 13:00-15:00
知道 “Special Topics on Elementary English Teaching”哪裡有問題嗎？
12/08 (六) 13:00-15:00
為什麼 “Traffic jam during rush hours in Shanghai”不夠地道？
台北書林書店 台北市新生南路3段88號2樓之5 Tel: 02-23658617