Slate a student channel (5)
I believe the answer is:
canal
'channel' is the definition.
(I know that channel can be written as canal)
'slate a student' is the wordplay.
'slate' becomes 'can' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'can'+'a'+'l'='CANAL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for canal that I've seen before include "Grand Union perhaps" , "Aqueduct" , "Duct" , "Manmade flower" , "Man-made channel of water" .)