Teaching Formal & Informal Communication

Formal or informal communication? updated 1/23

In the world of texting, social media and multiple avenues of communication via technology, the lines between formal and informal communication can be blurry.  Understanding the differences between them is a valuable skill for our speech therapy students.  Students need to understand that each type of communication has a time and a place.  They need help navigating the two worlds of formal and informal communication.  Covering this topic is also helpful for students who are learning english as a second language and for students learning English as a second language.

As your middle and high school students learn to navigate the social world, understanding the differences between formal and informal communication and when it’s time to code switch, is valuable. It’s really helpful for your students that use complicated monologues or narratives with others, provide others with complex information about preferred topics or use informal language in formal settings.

How to Introduce Formal and Informal Communication

There are several videos that are helpful to introduce this topic-take your pick!

👉 This video from “Learn with Socrates” is 1.27 minutes long and a nice introduction to the two types of communication.

👉 This video from Realtalk English is 2.17 long and gives examples of situations and how to communicate the same intention using formal and informal communication.

👉Introduce the topic by watching this youtube clip that contrasts the language of two boys, one who speaks formally and one, informally. It’s called “formal vs. informal language” by Help Teaching. It is 3:45 long. Distance learning teacher? Don’t forget you can assign videos via google classroom!

Speech Therapy Homework: Have students spend some time listening to other people in their homes talk with eachother. Give them an assignment to write down one example of formal communcation and one of informal.

Note: if you have my tone of voice packet for middle and high school, packet, I have activities for formal and informal communication in this packet too!

SETTINGS AND COMMUNICATION PARTNERS WHERE FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNICATION IS EXPECTED.

Formal settings include classrooms, court rooms, jobs, and formal dances or dinners.  Formal written language can include essays, papers and emails to supervisors.  However, who we are talking to also dictates whether we use formal or informal communication.  Generally, when speaking to people that are older or in positions of authority, we should use more formal communication. Using formal communication is an important skill for high school students entering the work force.

Informal situations include hanging out with friends or family, home, sporting events, movies, park and in any casual settings.

This bundle of Boom cards contains all you need to teach formal and informal communication: Bundle of Boom Cards: Formal or Informal Communication.   The first set of cards in this bundle teaches students about the two styles of communication and gives students practice in identifying whether the situation is formal or informal based on the setting and the communication partner!

 LANGUAGE AND NONVERBAL CHARACTERISTICS

Formal communication typically involves the following:

• specific vocabulary,
• grammatically-correct language,
• complex sentences,
• eye contact is used,
• words are pronounced completely and correctly, and
• tone and words are polite and respectful.

Informal communication is defined by these characteristics:

• short and simple sentences,
• use of slang or vague vocabulary (“this thing”) is acceptable,
• casual tone,
• abbreviations are used,
• words might not be produced completely or correctly (“SUS”),
• sarcasm and gossip are more acceptable than in formal situations.

PRACTICE CHANGING FORMAL TEXTS, EMAILS AND STATEMENTS INTO INFORMAL ONES, AND VICE-VERSA.

By providing students with these important concepts, you are helping them to successfully communicate across all communicaton settings with a variety of communication partners.

Again, don’t forget to include statements, emails and texts so students get practice changing both verbal and written communication.  The second set in this Bundle of Boom Cards gives students practice in all three areas.  This product gives students response choices.

Change your formal and informal messages!

Discuss with students that it is also important to use the appropriate writing style depending upon if the situation is casual or formal. Show two pictures: one of dressed up adult(s) (looking like a boss or teacher) and one of a same-age peer. Have students generate example greetings, texts or emails to the people in each picture. You can also use the images below!

EXAMPLES OF IEP GOALS:

1.  Student will identify whether formal or informal communication is indicated when given situations and communication partners for 80% of trials.
2.  Student will identify at least 4 characteristics each of formal and informal oral or written communications, (baseline: identifies 0 characteristics of each).
3.  Student will change a formal communication (email, text or verbal) to an informal one, and vice-versa, for 80% of structured situations, with one prompt per trial.

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