Hello, aspiring IELTS students! Welcome to another insightful tutorial. My name is Ben Worthington, and today we're delving into the world of discourse markers. If you're aiming for a Band 7 or higher, understanding and effectively using discourse markers is crucial. These linguistic tools are key to showcasing fluency and cohesion, particularly in the speaking section of the IELTS exam.

According to the official IELTS criteria under the fluency and cohesion category, achieving a Band 7 or above requires candidates to use a range of connectives and discourse markers with flexibility. But what exactly are discourse markers? They are often referred to as signposts or sequencing language. These words and phrases help listeners identify changes in attitude, direction, or perspective during a conversation.

At a basic level, discourse markers include phrases like "in my opinion", "finally", or "next". While these are common, aiming for a higher score means incorporating a wider variety of these markers. For a deeper dive into understanding discourse markers, check out our guide on IELTS Speaking Discourse Markers.

Let's explore some sophisticated discourse markers to elevate your speaking. Here are a few to express agreement: "absolutely", "certainly", "definitely". However, it’s important to use a range of expressions. Repeating the same phrase can become monotonous and might limit your score.

When expressing attitudes, consider using phrases like:

• To tell you the truth: "To tell you the truth, I don't actually read a lot."
• I must admit: "I must admit, I have a strong preference for the countryside over the city."
• To be honest: "To be honest, I hardly ever swim."
• Ideally: "Ideally, I would be reading every day."

These markers not only help in expressing your thoughts but also make your speech sound more natural and provide extra thinking time. This flexibility in language use is what the examiners are looking for, especially in parts one and three of the speaking test.

Incorporating these expressions into your everyday language can significantly improve your fluency. For instance, if asked about your hometown, you might say, "Certainly, I love Huddersfield. It's one of the best towns in the world." Even if your hometown doesn’t have the best reputation, as in this case, the use of confident and varied expressions demonstrates a high level of proficiency.

For more examples and practice, visit our IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions page. You can also find a comprehensive list of discourse markers and how to use them effectively.

In conclusion, mastering discourse markers is not just about passing the IELTS exam; it’s also about enhancing your overall communication skills. Try to integrate these expressions into your daily conversations. It could be as simple as saying, "Actually, to tell you the truth, I prefer the blue one," while shopping. This practice will make these phrases second nature and help you perform more confidently during the exam.

If you found this tutorial helpful, share it with others who are preparing for the IELTS. For more resources, including a big PDF full of IELTS materials, visit IELTSpodcast.com. We also offer an online course for those in a hurry to improve. Good luck with your preparation, and remember, consistent effort will bring you closer to your IELTS goals!

Thank you for reading, and have a great day! For more tips, tut