Plain English Meaning
The instructor talks; the students listen. It is a planned, structured presentation with little or no back-and-forth during the talk itself.
Full Definition
A teaching method in which the instructor delivers prepared material to students in a one-way presentation, with the purpose of informing, persuading, or motivating. Audience participation is not expected, and questions or discussion are typically held until the end, if at all.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor training, ground lessons, classroom instruction, and discussions of teaching methods in the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook.
Derivation
‘Formal’ comes from the Latin formalis, meaning ‘according to set form or rules’. A formal lecture is one that follows a set structure and stays within it, as opposed to a relaxed, conversational teaching style.