Formal and Informal English

• newEditor
• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t, mavo
• Leerjaar 4

Formal and Informal English

De gebruiker vroeg om de tekst op de slides in het Engels. Daarom zijn alle studentgerichte slide-teksten in het Engels, ondanks de algemene instructie. De docent kan later twee video's toevoegen: één met formeel taalgebruik en één met informeel taalgebruik, als start van de les.

Learning goal

I can recognize formal and informal language and use both in my own English.

Welke woorden koppel jij aan formeel en informeel Engels?

Gebruik de woordwolk om voorkennis op te halen. Vraag kort door bij woorden als 'netjes', 'vrienden', 'school', 'kort', 'beleefd' en 'afkortingen'.

What is a register?

• A register is a style of language

• We choose it for the situation

• Formal and informal English are two common registers

• Good communication means using the right register

Leg kort uit dat 'register' gaat over passend taalgebruik: niet alleen nette woorden, maar ook toon, vorm en situatie.

Formal or informal?

Formal English is common in school, work, official messages, and polite emails.

Informal English is common with friends, family, chats, vlogs, and everyday conversations.

The message can stay the same, but the language changes.

Benadruk dat formeel niet 'beter' is dan informeel; het gaat om wat past bij de context.

Two styles, same meaning

Formal

• Good morning.

• I would like some information.

• Could you help me, please?

• I am unable to attend today.

Informal

• Hi.

• I want some info.

• Can you help me?

• I can't come today.

Laat zien dat betekenis vaak gelijk blijft, maar woordkeuze en toon veranderen.

Why this matters

• The wrong register can sound rude or strange

• The right register makes your message clear

• In English, tone is important in speaking and writing

Excercise

Slide tekst

Put in the correct order from most formal to most informal

A: yo you still up for the movies sat?? lmk what time works, my mom can drop us off

B: Dear Sir or Madam,

 

I would like to apply for the position of Saturday shop assistant advertised on

your website. I am available on weekends and have previous experience working

with customers. I have attached my CV for your consideration.

 

Yours faithfully,

Milan de Boer

C; Hi team, just a heads up that I can't work this Saturday, I have a family thing.

Let me know if that's a problem.

 

Thanks!

Noor

D: omggg i just saw the craziest thing outside skskssk i'll send u the vid, brb def

gonna die laughing 😭😭

E: Dear Mr. Hendriks,

 

I am writing to let you know that I was unable to complete the reading

assignment due to a family situation this weekend. Would it be possible to hand

it in on Wednesday instead?

 

Kind regards,

Fleur

F: hey did you already do the reading for english? not sure if i understood it

right lol, can we check together at lunch?

G: Hi Mr. Hendriks,

 

Sorry, I couldn't finish the reading over the weekend, something came up. Could

I hand it in on Wednesday?

 

Thanks,

Fleur

Correct order:

B – E – G – C – F – A – D.

Second lesson: Formal/Informal

Pick the least formal or the least informal and rewrite in opposite register.

A: yo you still up for the movies sat?? lmk what time works, my mom can drop us off

B: Dear Sir or Madam,

 

I would like to apply for the position of Saturday shop assistant advertised on

your website. I am available on weekends and have previous experience working

with customers. I have attached my CV for your consideration.

 

Yours faithfully,

Milan de Boer

C; Hi team, just a heads up that I can't work this Saturday, I have a family thing.

Let me know if that's a problem.

 

Thanks!

Noor

D: omggg i just saw the craziest thing outside skskssk i'll send u the vid, brb def

gonna die laughing 😭😭

E: Dear Mr. Hendriks,

 

I am writing to let you know that I was unable to complete the reading

assignment due to a family situation this weekend. Would it be possible to hand

it in on Wednesday instead?

 

Kind regards,

Fleur

F: hey did you already do the reading for english? not sure if i understood it

right lol, can we check together at lunch?

G: Hi Mr. Hendriks,

 

Sorry, I couldn't finish the reading over the weekend, something came up. Could

I hand it in on Wednesday?

 

Thanks,

Fleur

Write down the sequencing words in this message.

Transfer to formal

Wat heb jij vandaag geleerd over register?

Laat leerlingen kort terugkijken op wat ze geleerd hebben. Mogelijke punten: verschil in toon, woordkeuze, aanspreekvormen, afkortingen, context.

Wat vond jij het lastigst in deze les?

Stimuleer eerlijke reflectie. Mogelijke antwoorden: zinnen omzetten, formeel/informeel herkennen, toon kiezen, verschil tussen e-mail en app.