Focus on Language Awareness

The Language Awareness pages in the Macmillan English Dictionary are designed to give up-to-date information on topics that are relevant to everyone who has any interest in the way the English language is being used at the beginning of the 21st century. They have all been written by people who are experts in the field they are writing about; indeed, most of the authors have published more detailed work, which you might like to read if you find these pages interesting.

They are intended to give you a deeper understanding of such areas as Spoken Discourse, Metaphor, and Pragmatics, all of which are crucial for users of the English language.

There is a lot of food for thought on these pages, and you may find there is plenty of scope in these topics for classroom activities and discussion.

In this issue we take a look at two more common discourse markers frequently used in conversation: er/erm and OK. You can read this article in British or American English.