• Pragmatic language
• Social inferencing
• Vocabulary for social situations
• Perspective taking

This downloadable set of Formal versus Informal Cue Cards reinforces the concept of knowing your audience.

Hanging out with your friends? You might say, “What’s up bruh?” But talking with your teacher? Maybe something more formal is appropriate like, “How are you Mrs. Martinez?”

Knowing when to use formal and informal language is important because it helps students adapt their communication style to different situations and interact appropriately in a variety of contexts. 

KEY BENEFITS

Supports pragmatic language understanding

Teach students how to assess the situation and choose when formal or informal language is appropriate. 

Builds Social Language Vocabulary

Knowing what word to use in a formal setting shows respect and professionalism. Using casual words with friends in an informal, more relaxed setting helps you relate.

Game-Based Learning

As therapists ourselves, we often turn these cue cards into a game! Just grab a buzzer and ask 2 students to step up to play. Read from either card, and ask kids to "buzz-in" to tell you if the sentence is formal or informal. For added learning, get them to flip the sentence from informal to formal. Or...ask them to name a situation where that phrase would be appropriate.

CONTENTS: This is a digital download of two 8.5 x 11 cue cards. We recommend printing in color on cardstock and laminating. They are perfect to tack up on a classroom/therapy wall or use on a desk.

Therapists, parents, teachers, and anyone who works with kids and teens to improve their social communication skills.