Lesson 1

Formal vs. Informal

Language
Learning Identify properties of a
Competency well-written text
1 (language use)
(EN11/12RWS-IIIgh-4.3).
 Objectives

● recognize the use of formal and informal language in

various contexts; and
● use formal and informal language appropriately in
different situations.
Essential Question

Why is it important to know when to use formal and

informal language?
 Warm Up!

Let’s Role-Play!

1. Work in pairs.
2. Assign who will be Student A and Student B.
3. Role-play the situations on the next slide.
 Warm Up!

Student A Student B Student A Student B

Situation 1 Situation 3
Role: Mother Role: Child Role: Employee Role: Boss
Situation: The child is asking his or her Situation: The employee is giving a report to
mother for permission to watch a movie his or her boss about what he or she (the
with friends this weekend. employee) did during his or her business trip.
Situation 2 Situation 4
Role: Friend 1 Role: Friend 2 Role: Friend 2 Role: Friend 1
Situation: Friend 1 is asking Friend 2 if Situation: Friend 1 is telling Friend 2 about
he or she wants to watch a movie this what he or she did during her business trip.
weekend.
 Warm Up!

After you finish role-playing, discuss your conversations with

each other.

○ What kind of language did you use in Situation 1, and how

did it differ from the language you used in Situation 2?
○ What kind of language did you use in Situation 3, and how
did it differ from the language you used in Situation 4?
 Review

● How do we speak during formal occasions?

● How do we speak during informal gatherings?
 Learn about It!

Informal Language
It is used in personal texts meant for family, friends, and
colleagues. When you send e-mails or write messages to
friends and family members close to your age, this is usually
the type of language you use.
Erwin 2:03 PM
Hey, feel like hanging out later?
Gerald 2:10 PM
Not feeling well atm. Maybe tomorrow.
 Learn about It!

Formal Language
It is used in academic, business, and official texts. This is the
language you use when writing formal correspondence and
memorandums, both in school and work.

I am writing to inform you that our kitchen area will be under

construction as we remodel. From August 23 to August 28, please use
the makeshift kitchen on the second floor.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the remodeling, you can

access the full report here. We truly apologize for the inconvenience.
 Learn about It!

Grammar Informal Formal

Use of The project won’t push through The project will not push through
Contractions until next month. until next month.
Use of Phrasal Mr. Smith, the patient in room Mr. Smith, the patient in room
Verbs 1305, got over his illness. 1305, recovered from his illness.
Use of Slang/ The mob was very rowdy during The crowd was very rowdy during
Colloquialism the protest against mandatory the protest against mandatory
drug tests among students. drug tests among students.
Use of Point We considered various data Various data collection methods
of View collection methods for this were considered for this research.
 Learn about It!

Grammar Informal Formal

Sentence The president invites you and your The president of the company
Structure family to the ball this August 31, would like to extend his invitation
2019. to the family members of the
company for the ball this coming
August 31, 2019.
Use of the He published his poetry collection His poetry collection was
Active or last month. published last month.
Passive Voice
Punctuation OMG! I got the job. Fortunately, I was able to get the
job.
 Learn about It!
ATTENTION
To all the members of The
Showstoppers Club,
Meet us at our hideout at 9-ish
on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Bring
fresh vibes and lots of love.
Snacks are most welcome, too.
By Sir Eddie & the club officers
ATTENTION
To all the members of The Showstoppers
Club,
Please be reminded of the meeting (re:
December event) on August 28,
Wednesday, at 9:00 a.m. Also, we
request members to bring snacks for
sharing for the meeting may take a
while.
Thank you.
Sir Eddie and the club officers
 Drills

Identify whether each statement is formal or informal.

1. Would you be interested in purchasing the lifetime warranty card

for your gadget?
2. You want cheese, mayo, and ketchup on your burger, sir?
3. I am a great candidate for the position because of my significant
office experience, strong language skills, and sense of
organization.
4. The reasons provided were unsatisfactory.
5. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do the work.
 Drills

Transform each statement in the previous part into formal

language if it is informal, and transform it into informal
language if it is formal.

1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
 Drills

Write short letters using the prompts below:

A. You are late to school, and the school requires students to

write a letter whenever they are tardy. Your job is to write a
letter addressed to the principal explaining why you are late
for school.

B. Your mom works abroad, and the only way you can contact
her is through handwritten letters. Explain to your mom why
you failed in one of your subjects.
 Drills

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0–1 point) (2–3 points) (4–5 points)
Use of Formal or The language used is The language used is The language used
Informal Language not appropriate for mostly appropriate, is appropriate for
the context. but there is a the context.
statement that is not.
Vocabulary and The vocabulary is The vocabulary The vocabulary
Sentence Structure vague or matches the context. matches the
inappropriate. The The sentence context. The
sentence structure structure mostly sentence structure
does not match the corresponds to the consistently
level of formality level of formality corresponds to the
required by the required by the level of formality
context. context. required by the
 Drills

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0–1 point) (2–3 points) (4–5 points)
Organization The ideas are not The ideas are fairly The ideas are
logically organized. logically organized. logically organized.
Language There are seven or There are four to six There are zero to
(spelling, mechanics, more language language errors. three language
grammar, and word errors. errors.
choice)
Score:
 Values Integration

How can your knowledge of formal and informal

language help you show respect?
 Synthesis

1. Form groups with five members each.

2. Come up with a five-minute skit that shows clear
communication between your character roles.
3. Choose from the following settings:
a. airport
b. police station
c. wet market
d. church
e. restaurant
4. Make sure to incorporate the use of formal and informal
language appropriately based on your chosen context.
 Synthesis

After the activity, answer the following questions:

○ What were the challenges you encountered in creating a
skit based on the setting that your group chose?
○ Do you think your group was able to use appropriate
language based on the given context? Why or why not?
 Assignment
Compare and contrast formal and informal language
using the table below.

Formal Language Informal Language

● ●
● ●
● ●
● ●