Listening: Understanding Interactional Cues & Discourse (Basic) B1 - Lesson 1: Identifying Simple Discourse Markers (e.g., so, because, but, then)

Connecting Ideas with Discourse Markers CEFR Level B1 Lesson Goals In this lesson, you will learn to identify and understand four common discourse markers to better follow the logic and flow of English conversations. What Are Discourse Markers? Discourse markers are small but powerful "signal words" that speakers use to connect their ideas. They act like signposts on a road, guiding the listener and showing what is coming next in the conversation. Let's look at four of the most common markers. 1. BECAUSE (Introduces a Reason) Use because to explain the "why" behind an action or situation. "I didn't go to the market because it was raining." (The rain is the reason.) 2. SO (Introduces a Result) Use so to explain what happened next, as a consequence of something else. "It was raining, so I didn't go to the market." (Not going to the market is the result.) 3. BUT (Introduces a Contrast) Use but to signal that an opposite or different idea is coming. &q…