Module 1 – Grammar

Greeting 
To welcome someone, often with words, e.g. Hello, how are you? 
Inappropriate: see appropriacy. 
 

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© 
UCLES 
Cambridge 
ESOL 
2005
9
Informal (language): see register. 
Informality (level of): see register. 
Instructing 
To order or tell someone to do something, e.g. Please turn to page 12 and do exercise 1.  
 
Negotiating 
To have a discussion with someone to reach an agreement, e.g. If you help me now, I’ll help you next week. 
Neutral 
A style of speaking or writing that is neither formal nor informal, but in-between. It is appropriate for most 
situations. 
 
Predicting 
To say what you think is likely to happen, e.g. I think the story will end happily. 
Register 
The formality or informality of the language used in a particular situation. Formal register or language is used in 
serious or important situations, e.g. in a job application. Informal register or language is used in relaxed or friendly 
situations, e.g. with family or friends. 
 
Requesting, making a (polite) request 
To ask someone politely to do something, e.g. Please could you open the window? 
 
Speculating 
To guess something, e.g. I think it might be an easy test. 
 
Concepts and terminology for describing language skills 
 
Accuracy 
The use of correct forms of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. In an accuracy activity, students typically give 
more attention to correctness. See fluency.