Discourse markers (also known as signpost words/phrases) are words and phrases that organise your speech. ‘In my opinion’ tells the listener that you are going to give your opinion. ‘However’ tells the listener that you are going to say something that contrasts or disagrees with what you previously said. A good speaker will use many different discourse markers in part 3 of the speaking test.
If you can use discourse markers well, your speaking will sound natural and fluent. In the IELTS test, appropriately using discourse markers will impress the examiner and improve your band score for fluency.
In this lesson we will look at the different functions of discourse markers.
If you can use discourse markers well, your speaking will sound natural and fluent. In the IELTS test, appropriately using discourse markers will impress the examiner and improve your band score for fluency.
In this lesson we will look at the different functions of discourse markers.
Exercise 1 | Different Functions
Let's start by looking at functions and their definitions. Match the functions with the definitions.
Match the Functions
Exercise 2 | Different Discourse Markers
Below is an IELTS speaking test part 3 dialogue between an examiner and a candidate. Complete the table by selecting the discourse markers from the dialogue, then selecting the box they belong in.
Find the Discourse Markers
Examiner:
What type of free time activities are likely to become popular going forward?
Candidate:
Sorry, do you mean what free time activities will be popular in the future?
Examiner:
Yes.
Candidate:
That’s a good question Well, I think people these days spend increasing amounts of time on their digital media and I think this is likely to increase in the future. I mean, activities such as browsing and updating social media and watching online videos are likely to become more popular.
Examiner:
Do you think this is positive or negative?
Candidate:
Well, personally, I think it will be bad in terms of health. Take childhood obesity for example. It is increasing because children prefer to play on gadgets rather than go outside and play with friends. On the other hand, increased use of digital technology could help to educate and inform people as well as today it is our main way of communicating news and ideas. So, I think there will be both benefits and drawbacks.
What type of free time activities are likely to become popular going forward?
Candidate:
Sorry, do you mean what free time activities will be popular in the future?
Examiner:
Yes.
Candidate:
That’s a good question Well, I think people these days spend increasing amounts of time on their digital media and I think this is likely to increase in the future. I mean, activities such as browsing and updating social media and watching online videos are likely to become more popular.
Examiner:
Do you think this is positive or negative?
Candidate:
Well, personally, I think it will be bad in terms of health. Take childhood obesity for example. It is increasing because children prefer to play on gadgets rather than go outside and play with friends. On the other hand, increased use of digital technology could help to educate and inform people as well as today it is our main way of communicating news and ideas. So, I think there will be both benefits and drawbacks.
Click or touch a word above
| 1. | Rephrasing: |
| 2. | Introducing a different perspective: |
| 3. | Giving an example: |
| 4. | Stalling for time: |
| 5. | Asking for clarification: |
Exercise 3 | More Discourse Markers
Let's study some more discourse markers. What is the function of each of the discourse markers below?
Choose the Function
Examples of these discourse markers
I believe education is very important if we want to bring communities out of poverty. Look at the education work done by charities in Southeast Asia for instance. They show that...
People like to listen those who have the same opinions as them. Or to put it another way, we all have a bias inside us that tells us who we should respect and who we shouldn't.
People in power sometimes seem to stop caring about the little people. What I'm trying to say is that often power corrupts.
Examiner: Do you think people will travel more or less in the future?
Candidate: I don't know much about this issue but, in my opinion, we may have to reduce travelling - especially flying - if we want to protect our environment.
People like to listen those who have the same opinions as them. Or to put it another way, we all have a bias inside us that tells us who we should respect and who we shouldn't.
People in power sometimes seem to stop caring about the little people. What I'm trying to say is that often power corrupts.
Examiner: Do you think people will travel more or less in the future?
Candidate: I don't know much about this issue but, in my opinion, we may have to reduce travelling - especially flying - if we want to protect our environment.
Exercise 4 | Over to you
As we say so often in our lessons, you must practice the new language that you learn until you are confident you can use it in the IELTS test. Record yourself answering the following questions IELTS speaking part 3 questions. You can use your phone recorder to do this.
Practice using the discourse markers you have learnt in this class to make your speaking sound more natural.
Practice using the discourse markers you have learnt in this class to make your speaking sound more natural.
- Why it is important for people to have time free time?
- Why are some free time activities more popular than others?
- Are the types of free time activities that are popular today the same as those that were popular in the past?
- What types of leisure activities are likely to be popular in the future?
Listen to your recording. Is there any way you can improve your answers? If so, re-record yourself. Each time you do this, focus on a small part of your language that you can improve.
