Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English

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Let's start this lesson by explaining what a discourse marker is and why it is important to use it in spoken English. 

A discourse marker is a word or phrase we use to organise spoken language into different parts. 
Here are some examples of discourse markers: basically, apparently, actually, honestly, obviously, otherwise, besides, anyway, and many more. 

You already know and use discourse markers in your own native language. They help you connect and organise what you say as well as change or manage a topic. 

It is important to remember that discourse markers make you sound more natural in a language. 

Now, let's focus on why it is difficult to use them correctly in spoken English. 

Discourse markers are difficult to use accurately because: 

• they lack a specific meaning - they express attitudes and what the speaker is thinking 
• they may not translate easily between languages, and are not used in exactly the same way 
• they can go at the beginning, end or in the middle of a sentence 

In this lesson, we will focus on discourse markers which you can use in everyday English as well as in a speaking part of an exam (IELTS, for example). We have provided really good examples with vocabulary and structures used in C1 and C2 levels of English. 


Well 
We can use 'well' as a discourse marker at the beginning of what we say. By doing so, we show that we are thinking about the question that we have been asked. 

Examples: 

• ​'Can you tell me about your hometown?' 'My hometown, well, I grew up in a small town in the north part of China.' 
• 'Do you think that climate change is affecting the lives of local people in Brazil and how? 'Well, I think the main problem has been the effect of drought on food supplies. The majority of people there are farmers and they have already lost animals and crops. Farming is essential in an area like that.' 
• 'What do you think about Prague?' 'Well, I think it's a beautiful city. It's actually on my bucket list. I want to visit it one day because I'm interested in history and there are a lot of places there I would like to explore and learn more about.' 
• Well, I remember I didn't have a map of the city when I arrived there, so I didn't know where to go first. 
• Well, I've always been fascinated by plants and animals. 

Of course 
It is often used to show that what you are saying is obvious or already known. 

Example: 

• I'd never really thought about exercise and keeping fit until a couple of months ago. I was in a hurry and I had to run to catch an early morning bus - just a couple of hundred metres. By the time I got to the bus stop, I was completely exhausted. On the bus I started thinking that I didn't really do much with my free time - just reading magazines, watching movies and sitting at my computer for hours. I realised that it was time to take up an activity. I started running in the local park - just a few hundred metres at first, and gradually building up. Now I run more, a few kilometres a day. Of course, that takes up quite a lot of time, but I certainly feel a lot fitter than before. 

Actually 
​We use it to indicate a new topic of conversation or a change or contrast in what is being talked about. We also use actually to give more detail about a topic. 

Examples: 

• He was actually very helpful. 
• The restaurant itself is actually not that old, but what it's built on is over a century old. 
• I actually read a lot about food and health, and what I should be eating. 
• 'What are your plans for the future? What do you want to do after university?' 'Actually, I'd like to go into teaching.' (go into something = to join an organization, especially in order to have a career in it) [go into teaching / politics / journalism, etc.] 
• Some parents will actually discourage their children from taking up a sport on the basis that they might get distracted from their studies. 
• 'How much recycling do people in your country do?' 'I think that recycling is getting better in my country. Actually, in the town where I live we have a very strong recycling programme.' 

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I mean 
As we talk, we listen to what we are saying. We often rephrase or change the information depending on our listener. We use discourse markers to make what we say clearer for the listener. 
We can use words and phrases such as well, I mean, in other words, the thing is, what I mean is, etc. 

Example: 

• 'Why do people like shopping during sales?' 'I think people tend to look for some kind of bargain because they can save some money, and get what they want at the same time. This is probably the main reason. To be honest, another reason could be the feeling of following the crowd. I mean, during promotion periods people usually head to the shops because they don't want to miss this opportunity and we immediately have an urge to do the same. It feels like a competition for a number of certain products at lower prices. I think those are the two main reasons. 

Besides 
It means 'in addition to', 'also' or 'apart from'.  
We use this word when we want to add more information to support what we are saying as well as give another reason or argument for something.  

Examples: 

• 'What are the main advantages of online shopping?' 'I think one big advantage is that shopping on the Internet tends to be cheaper and that's a huge attraction when it comes to prices and saving money. Besides that, using the Internet is more convenient, because online shopping stores are available 24/7, all year round. We don't need to travel or spend time in shopping centres, because online shopping is much quicker and saves us energy. Another advantage is the ability to compare products and prices. We can easily determine which online store offers the most affordable item as well as whether they have it in stock.' 
• My best friend and I have lots of things in common besides music. 
• Besides working as a TV host, he is also a model. 
• I don't have any other family members in the city besides my parents. 

Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons: 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport (We give answers to five questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient (We give answers to six questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist (We give answers to six questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) 
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet 


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