How to Teach Discourse Markers

Teaching discourse markers can be a highly effective way to help students improve their fluency,

coherence, and communication skills in both writing and speaking. Here's a step-by-step guide on

how to approach teaching discourse markers, including practical activities and strategies:

1. Introduce the Concept

Start by explaining what discourse markers are, their purpose, and how they help in communication.

Use simple language to ensure students understand that these are words or phrases that guide the

listener or reader through the conversation or text by showing how different parts are connected.

Activity:

- Show students a short, disorganized paragraph or dialogue without discourse markers.

- Then show a revised version with discourse markers added. Discuss how the revised version is

clearer and more structured.

- Example:

Without discourse markers: "I woke up late. I missed the bus. I walked to work. I was tired."

With discourse markers: "I woke up late. As a result, I missed the bus. Therefore, I had to walk to

work. By the time I got there, I was really tired."

2. Categorize Discourse Markers

Explain that different discourse markers serve different purposes, such as showing contrast, adding

information, giving examples, or showing cause and effect. Categorizing them helps students

understand when and how to use them.

Main Categories:
- Addition: and, also, moreover, furthermore

- Contrast: but, however, on the other hand

- Cause and Effect: because, so, therefore, as a result

- Sequence: first, next, then, finally

- Summarizing: in conclusion, overall, to sum up

Activity:

- Provide a list of sentences and ask students to add appropriate discourse markers.

- Example: "I enjoy reading novels. I prefer watching movies." (However would be appropriate here).

- Have students group discourse markers by function using flashcards or sorting activities.

3. Teach Through Context and Examples

Context is crucial for understanding how discourse markers work. Show students how different

discourse markers fit into various contexts, both in speaking and writing.

Activity:

- Use real-life examples from reading passages, dialogues, or short videos where discourse markers

are used naturally.

- Have students highlight or underline the discourse markers and explain their function in that

context.

4. Practice Through Speaking Activities

Encourage students to use discourse markers in conversation to improve their fluency. Create

activities where students must use these markers in real-time.

Activity 1: Role-Playing
- Prepare scenarios or debates where students must present an argument and respond to their

partner using appropriate discourse markers. For example:

One student makes a statement: "I think school should start later."

The other responds using contrast markers: "On the other hand, starting later might reduce time for

after-school activities."

Activity 2: Discussion Prompts

- Give students a topic to discuss in pairs or groups and assign them specific discourse markers

they must use during the conversation. For example, they might have to use however, in addition,

and as a result during a discussion about climate change.

5. Writing Practice

Encourage students to use discourse markers in their writing to improve the flow of their ideas.

Writing assignments are an effective way to focus on the formal use of discourse markers.

Activity:

- Provide a short paragraph with no discourse markers and ask students to revise it by adding

appropriate markers to improve coherence.

- For essay writing, give students a checklist of discourse markers to include, making sure they use

different types (addition, contrast, summary, etc.).

- Example:

Original: "The company lost money last year. It is planning to cut costs."

Revised: "The company lost money last year. Therefore, it is planning to cut costs."

6. Games and Interactive Activities

Incorporate games to make learning discourse markers fun and engaging.

- Create bingo cards with different discourse markers in each square.

- As students participate in a class discussion, they can mark off each discourse marker they hear or

use.

Activity 2: Fill-in-the-Blanks

- Provide sentences with missing discourse markers and have students choose the correct one from

a list.

- Example: "The meeting was canceled, ________ we had to reschedule." (so or therefore would fit).

7. Listening and Noticing

Expose students to native speakers using discourse markers in authentic contexts, such as in

videos, podcasts, or interviews. This can help students "notice" how discourse markers are used in

natural conversation.

Activity:

- Play a short video or audio clip and have students listen for and note down the discourse markers

they hear. Afterward, discuss how the markers helped structure the conversation or text.

8. Error Correction and Feedback

As students practice using discourse markers, give them constructive feedback on both overuse and

underuse. Sometimes students may rely too heavily on a few markers (like, you know) in spoken

English, or they might omit them entirely in writing.

Activity:
- Give students sentences or paragraphs with incorrect or awkward use of discourse markers. Ask

them to correct the sentences by using the correct marker.

- Example: "However, I went to bed early because I was tired." (Here, however should be replaced

with therefore).

9. Encourage Reflective Use

Encourage students to think critically about which discourse markers they use and why. Teach them

to consider their audience and the tone they want to convey. Formal writing requires more formal

markers like furthermore and in conclusion, while casual conversations may use simpler markers

like so and but.

Activity:

- Ask students to write a formal and an informal email or conversation. Discuss how the discourse

markers change in each context.

- Example: Formal email: "I appreciate your feedback. Furthermore, I will incorporate your

suggestions." Informal email: "Thanks for the feedback! Also, I'll add your ideas."

10. Reinforce with Review and Repetition

Like many language skills, mastering discourse markers requires regular practice and

reinforcement. Incorporate review activities to help students retain what they've learned.

Activity:

- Have students keep a discourse marker journal where they note down any new markers they come

across in reading or conversation.

- Use short, timed writing prompts where students are required to include a certain number of

discourse markers to structure their thoughts.