The relationship between use of discourse markers and L2 spoken ability across proficiencylevels

Abstract This study advances our understanding of the extent to which discoursal features of second language (L2) spoken performance contribute to the assessment of L2 ability. The research reported here aimed at investigating L2 learners’ use of Discourse Markers (DMs) across different proficiency levels. To explore the extent to which test results explain the relationship between L2 ability and use of DMs, data was collected from 71 EFL learners, whose proficiency was assessed through an Oxford Placement Test and raters’ judgements of their task performance. Learners’ speech performances were recorded, transcribed and assessed by experienced raters for their overall L2 ability and discourse structure (task richness and task cohesion). The dataset was then analysed for DM sophistication, diversity and frequency. The results demonstrated positive correlations between the OPT scores and diversity of 1- and 2-word DMs. The subjective ratings were associated with lexical sophistication, positively with low frequency DMs and negatively with high frequency DMs. Discourse structure ratings were also positively related to the diversity of 1-word DMs. While quality of use of DMs (sophistication and diversity) was linked to L2 ability in both types of assessment, no relationships were observed between quantity of use of DMs and L2 ability.