This document discusses the differences between formal and informal language. It provides examples of situations that would require each type of language and compares their grammatical structures. The objectives are to recognize when to use formal or informal language and to apply this appropriately in different contexts. Warm-up activities involve roleplaying scenarios that demonstrate this, like talking to a boss versus friend. Later parts analyze specific grammar, vocabulary choices, and punctuation differences between the two styles.

1. Lesson 1
Formal vs. Informal
Language

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

3. Objectives
● recognize the use of formal and informal language in
various contexts; and
● use formal and informal language appropriately in
different situations.

4. Essential Question
Why is it important to know when to use formal and informal
language?

5. 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.

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

7. 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?

8. Review
● How do we speak during formal occasions?
● How do we speak during informal gatherings?

9. Learn about It!
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.
Informal Language
Erwin 2:03 PM
Hey, feel like hanging out later?
Gerald 2:10 PM
Not feeling well atm. Maybe tomorrow.

10. 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.

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

12. Learn about It!
Grammar Informal Formal
Sentence
Structure
The president invites you and
your family to the ball this August
31, 2019.
The president of the company
would like to extend his invitation
to the family members of the
company for the ball this coming
August 31, 2019.
Use of the
Active or
Passive Voice
He published his poetry collection
last month.
His poetry collection was
published last month.
Punctuation OMG! I got the job. Fortunately, I was able to get the
job.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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. ______________________________________________________

16. 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.
A. 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.

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

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

19. Values Integration
How can your knowledge of formal and informal
language help you show respect?

20. 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.

21. 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?

22. Assignment
Compare and contrast formal and informal language using
the table below.
Formal Language Informal Language
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