How to Void Using Slang in Speaking and Writing.

 

How to Avoid Using Slang in Speaking and Writing

After more than twenty years of teaching English to students in Peru, one issue comes up again and again, especially with advanced learners:

“My English is fluent, but sometimes people say I sound too informal.”

In most cases, the problem isn’t grammar or vocabulary. It’s slang.

Slang is everywhere. Students hear it in movies, social media, music, and everyday conversation, and naturally they start using it. The problem is that slang doesn’t travel well. It changes quickly, it’s highly cultural, and in many situations it can sound inappropriate, unprofessional, or even rude, without the speaker realising it.

This article is not about banning slang completely. Slang has its place. But if your goal is clear, professional, and internationally appropriate English, then you need to know how to avoid slang when it matters.

Why Slang Causes Problems for English Learners

One of the first things I explain to my students is this:

native speakers break rules because they already know them.

Learners often copy expressions they hear without understanding the social weight behind them. A phrase that sounds casual and friendly between close friends may sound disrespectful in a workplace, classroom, exam, or formal email.

In international English, business English, academic English, exam English, neutral language is always safer than slang.

1. Learn to recognise slang before trying to avoid it

You can’t avoid slang if you don’t recognise it.

Slang often:

Sounds very casual or playful

Comes from pop culture, social media, or youth speech

Doesn’t appear in formal dictionaries or textbooks

Feels “cool”, trendy, or expressive

Examples:

gonna, wanna, kinda

cool, awesome, no big deal

hang out, chill, stuff, things

These words aren’t “wrong”, but they are style choices. The key is learning when not to use them.

2. Slow down when you speak

In my experience, slang appears most often when students speak too quickly.

When you slow down:

You have time to choose more neutral vocabulary

You think in complete sentences

You sound more confident and controlled

Fluent English is not fast English.

Professional English is deliberate English.

3. Replace slang with neutral alternatives

One of the most effective classroom exercises I use is slang substitution.

Here are a few common examples:

Slang / Informal

Neutral Alternative

a lot of

many / much

stuff

things / items

kids

children

boss (informal)

manager / supervisor

get

receive / obtain

hang out

spend time

Train yourself to ask:

“Is there a more neutral word I can use?”

Most of the time, the answer is yes.

4. Be especially careful in writing

Writing exposes your language in a way speaking does not. Once it’s written, it stays.

I always advise my students:

Avoid slang completely in emails, essays, reports, and exams

Avoid contractions (gonna, wanna, ain’t)

Avoid vague words like things, stuff, a bit

Formal writing should be clear, specific, and neutral.

If you’re unsure about a word, don’t use it.

5. Don’t copy movies and TV shows blindly

This is a big one.

Movies and TV shows are not models of formal English. They reflect age, class, region, and social relationships. When students copy this language directly, it often sounds unnatural or inappropriate.

Watch shows for:

Listening practice

Pronunciation

Intonation

But model your speaking and writing on:

News reports

Interviews

Academic lectures

Professional presentations

6. Build a “safe” vocabulary

Over the years, I’ve encouraged students to build what I call a safe vocabulary, words and expressions that work in almost every situation.

Safe vocabulary is:

Neutral

Widely understood

Culturally flexible

Exam-friendly

If a word feels too casual, too trendy, or too emotional, it probably doesn’t belong in professional English.

7. Ask for feedback, and accept it

Many students use slang without realising it. A good teacher, colleague, or language partner can point this out.

If someone says:

“That sounds a bit informal.”

That’s valuable feedback, not criticism.

Awareness is the fastest path to improvement.

In conclusion, after more than two decades of teaching, I can say this with confidence:

Slang is not a sign of advanced English, control is.

Strong speakers know when to relax their language and when to keep it neutral. If you master that balance, your English will sound clearer, more professional, and more appropriate in any situation.

Slang will always exist. You don’t need to eliminate it from your life, just learn when to leave it out.

And when in doubt?

Choose clarity over cool.