Discourse Markers in English: Discrepant Usage between Native Speakers of English and Vietnamese EFL Students

Abstract

For the purposes of acknowledging the importance of discourse markers (DMs) in English spoken grammar and investigating the extent that Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students acquire and apply this English spoken characteristic in their practical discussion compared to that of English native speakers, the current thesis is conducted followed a quantitative method. Thirty-six English-majored undergraduates at a university in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam volunteered to participate in the study. The study employed a focus group discussion activity as the only instrument for data collection. The results, after the data analysis, showed certain degree that the Vietnamese EFL students, compared to those in the native speaker group, could apply DMs in their spoken language. Also, the tendency that the Vietnamese students used DMs in their conversations were determined.