Is Teen Slang Destroying the English Language? Should Schools Teach Pupils to Speak Properly?
From shortened words on social media to the slang heard in school corridors, the way teenagers communicate is changing. But an important question remains: are young people being taught when to use informal language and when to speak and write in standard English?
Slang has always had its place. Most of us have used informal expressions when chatting with friends, and language naturally changes with each generation. There is nothing inherently wrong with young people developing their own expressions or using slang among their peers.
But should teenagers also be taught to recognise when slang is appropriate and when a more formal way of speaking is expected?
The use of slang among young people is widespread, and concerns are often raised about whether some teenagers are losing the ability to express themselves clearly in standard English. Shortened words, abbreviations and internet expressions have become familiar features of social media, where speed and informality often take priority over spelling and grammar.
The concern is not simply that teenagers use slang. It is whether they can confidently switch between informal conversation with friends and the language skills they will need in the classroom, at college, in job interviews and in the workplace.
Older generations sometimes complain that slang is damaging the English language, with familiar words being shortened, altered or replaced by expressions that can be difficult for others to understand. Yet language has always evolved, and today’s expressions may eventually become part of everyday speech.
The real question is whether young people are being equipped with the skills to communicate effectively in different situations.
Being able to speak confidently and clearly, construct a sentence properly and write accurately are valuable skills. They can influence how a young person presents themselves, how well they communicate their ideas and how they are perceived in professional environments.
This is not about banning slang or telling teenagers how to speak among their friends. It is about ensuring they understand the difference between informal language and standard English, and know how to use both appropriately.
So, should schools place greater emphasis on teaching teenagers to speak and write in standard English, while recognising that slang has its place in everyday life?
Or is the evolution of teenage language simply a natural part of how English changes from one generation to the next?
Where do you stand? Should teenagers be taught to speak standard English at school and save slang for their friends, or are concerns about teenage language being exaggerated?
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