彼は口語英語を非常に重視した。

Sentence Discussions Japanese
#1
English Translation

He put great emphasis on spoken English.

I have heard that between 口語 and 話し言葉、the former is a more formal term, used mainly in writing, where as the latter is a less formal term, used mainly in speaking. Similar distinction for 文語 / 書き言葉。Is this true?

#2

@ericaw
Yes and no. 口語 and 文語 are more formal than 話し言葉 and 書き言葉. But 口語 and 文語 are equally used in writings and conversations. They are just more like academic terms.