Page 188 - Teaching English as a Foreign Language for Dummies 2009

Chapter 11: Write or Wrong? Teaching Writing Lessons
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As a general habit, indicate the register of an expression by writing (f) or (inf), that is formal and informal, after it on the board so that students are aware of how to use it.
Additionally, it is best to highlight expressions which are restricted to writ- ing. For example, a very old lady who is not used to many of the advances in technology left me a telephone message ending with ‘Yours sincerely, Winnie’. Although a native speaker, she had not worked out the appropriate use of register nor whether the language of messages is transferable from letter to telephone. Do not let your students make this mistake.
Table 11-2 shows some basic differences between formal and informal writing to help you get started. In their notebooks, you could get students to set up a table of equivalent formal and informal expressions which they could fill in as they learn them throughout your course.
Table 11-2 Standards for Formal and Informal Writing
Formal Writing
Never use contractions. Write the whole word.
Use verbs derived from Latin.
Use passive constructions (eg it is done) Never use slang
Informal Writing
Use contractions.
Use phrasal verbs.
Use active constructions (eg he does it) Use appropriate slang and common words.
Table 11-3 shows some formal and informal language to share with your students.
Table 11-3
Formal
Dear Sir/Madam
I appreciate...
I would be grateful if you could... Approximately
Due to
A great deal of
Sufficient
Yours sincerely/faithfully
Formal and Informal Phrases
Informal
Hi!
Thanks
Please could you... About
Because of
A lot of
Enough
Best wishes