A Study on Korean English Learners’ Use of English Contrastive Discourse Markers

This study aimed to explore Korean English learners’ use of English contrastive discourse markers (CDMs) through the comparison with use of native English speakers under the frame of Fraser’s CDM model. Sixty-five undergraduate students (48 Korean English learners and 17 native English speakers) participated in the study and completed two tasks (i.e. test for ability to use English CDMs and English CDM preference questionnaire). One-way ANOVA was employed to compare the mean differences on the ability and preference of English CDM use among three groups which were classified based on English proficiency. The results of this study showed that there was a difference in the ability to use English CDMs between Korean English learners and native English speakers (F=18.231, p=.000), and that Korean English learners and native English speakers shared similar tendencies in preference of CDM use in given contexts. Pedagogical implications, limitations of the study, and directions of further studies will be discussed.