Spoken English versus written English
We speak and write in different ways without even noticing — but knowing the difference helps you control both.
Part of your national curriculum
- Grammar and vocabulary: Know and understand the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of English
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Know and understand the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of English
Key learning points
- • Spoken features
- • Written features
- • Standard English and dialects
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 16 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 16
Visual introductionPicture this
Spoken English versus written English
We speak and write in different ways without even noticing — but knowing the difference helps you control both.
In a nutshell
Know and understand the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of English
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 16
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Spoken features
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 16
Learn
Spoken features
Speech often includes fillers ('um', 'like'), repetition, interruptions and incomplete sentences — 'so basically, yeah, it was, I mean, really good'. These aren't errors; they're natural features of real-time talking.
Reset break
Part 4 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 16
Learn
Written features
Writing is usually planned and can be redrafted, so it tends to use fuller sentences, more precise vocabulary and clearer organisation than speech — there's no 'um' in a novel.
Quick check
Part 6 of 16
Quick check
Part 7 of 16
Reset break
Part 8 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 16
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Standard English and dialects
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 16
Learn
Standard English and dialects
'I ain't done nothing wrong' is a dialect form used naturally in speech across the country; 'I haven't done anything wrong' is Standard English. Neither is 'incorrect' English — but Standard English is expected in most formal writing and speech.
Quick check
Part 11 of 16
Reset break
Part 12 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 16
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 16
Game · Recall cards
Which is a typical feature of spoken language?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 15 of 16
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Spoken English versus written English
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which is a typical feature of spoken language?
2. ‘We consider the proposal unworkable’ differs from ‘We reckon the plan won't work’ mainly in:
3. Which statement about regional dialects is accurate?
4. When is informal register the right choice?
Lesson round-up
Part 16 of 16
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Games
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Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 16 · Watch & discover
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Know and understand the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of English