Formal and Informal English
LANGUAGERecognise and compare formal and informal uses of English, understanding that language choices vary based on audience, purpose and context
Mastery Evidence
- Identify whether a spoken or written example uses formal or informal language (e.g., 'Dear Sir' vs 'Hey mate')
- Rewrite an informal sentence in a more formal way (e.g., change 'Can I have some?' to 'May I please have some?')
- Explain why formal language might be used in one situation and informal in another (e.g., a letter to the headteacher vs a note to a friend)
Assessment Prompt
“Does [child] understand the difference between how they'd write a text to a friend versus a formal letter — and can they explain why the language would be different?”
Curriculum Standards5 alignments
L.2.3Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsUse knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.2.3aCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsCompare formal and informal uses of English.
L.3.3bCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsRecognize and observe differences between the conventions of spoken and written standard English.
L.4.3cCommon Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsDifferentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion).
SL.4.6Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical SubjectsDifferentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion); use formal English when appropriate to task and situation. (See grade 4 Language standards 1 on page 28 for specific expectations.)
Prerequisites2
- Describing AloudsoftAges 4—8
- Using New VocabularysoftAges 5—9
Show full prerequisite tree
- Expressing & Justifying Opinions soft
Oral expression skills support understanding formality in speech
- Exploring Ideas Through Talk soft
Conversational skills provide foundation for evaluating viewpoints
- Feeling of not understanding soft
Using talk to explore ideas and speculate requires noticing what you don't yet understand — the comprehension-monitoring habit in a spoken register
- Asking for Help hard
Noticing confusion and acting on it requires already knowing that asking for help is a valid response to being stuck
Unlocks5
- Dialects & RegistershardAges 10—11
- Adapting Speech to ContexthardAges 10—11
- Choosing Formal VocabularyhardAges 10—11
- Vivid Word ChoicessoftAges 8—10
- Choosing Form and Tone for Your AudiencesoftAges 9—10