Formal or Informal?
Aligned to SL.4.6 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
The way you speak should fit the situation. Formal English, with complete sentences and careful words, fits a class presentation or talking to a principal. Informal talk, with relaxed words, fits chatting with friends. Good speakers know which one to use.
Worked example
You might tell a friend, 'That test was super easy!' but tell your teacher, 'I found the test manageable.' Same idea, but one is casual and one is formal.
Practice questions
- Give one example of a time you should use formal English.
- Rewrite a casual sentence like 'Gonna grab lunch' in formal English.
- Explain why you would speak differently to a friend than to a school visitor.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
¿Formal o Informal?
La forma en que hablas debe ir con la situación. El lenguaje formal, con oraciones completas y palabras cuidadas, va con una presentación en clase o al hablar con un director. El habla informal, con palabras relajadas, va con platicar con amigos. Los buenos hablantes saben cuál usar.
Ejemplo: Podrías decirle a un amigo, '¡Ese examen estuvo súper fácil!' pero decirle a tu maestro, 'Me pareció que el examen fue manejable.' La misma idea, pero una es casual y la otra formal.
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