Advanced Linkers and Cohesion ESL Lesson Plan (C1, 60 Minutes)

Who it is for. Advanced students who use common linkers accurately but overuse however, moreover and on the other hand, often mechanically at the start of every sentence. They rarely use subordinating linkers for comparison and condition (whereas, provided that, given that), misuse albeit with a full clause, and repeat nouns instead of using cohesive this / such + noun.

Everything the lesson needs is on this page: the language analysis, the timed stages with the teacher's own words and instruction-checking questions, the differentiation, the printable handouts and the answer key.

Main aim. To develop students' accurate use of advanced linkers for contrast and comparison (whereas, while, albeit, notwithstanding), condition (provided / providing that, as long as, in the event that, unless) and reason / premise (given that, in view of, insofar as), together with cohesive referencing (this trend, such an approach, the former / the latter).

Learning outcome. By the end of the lesson, students can write and edit a cohesive academic paragraph, e.g. Whereas office work offers structure, remote work offers flexibility, albeit at the cost of social contact. Provided that employees have reliable internet, productivity need not suffer. Given that housing costs are rising, this flexibility is increasingly valuable.

• Subsidiary aim. To reduce mechanical overuse of sentence-initial linkers.
• Subsidiary aim. To edit a paragraph for cohesion.

What to know before the lesson: the meaning, form and pronunciation of the target language, and the problems learners usually have with it.

• this / these / such + summarising noun: ... rents have risen sharply. This trend ... · ... such an approach ...
• the former / the latter for two items mentioned.
• Use linkers sparingly: good cohesion comes from referencing and logical order, not a linker in every sentence.

• Productivity rose, albeit slowly. Did productivity rise? (Yes.) Quickly? (No.) Can I write albeit it rose slowly? (No; albeit + phrase, not a clause.)
• Provided that staff have good internet, they can work from home. Can staff without good internet work from home? (No; it's a condition.)
• Whereas managers favour the office, employees prefer hybrid work. Is this a contrast between two groups? (Yes.)

The edited paragraph removes mechanical linkers and adds at least four advanced linkers correctly. albeit is followed by a phrase, provided that by a present tense, whereas by a clause. At least two referencing phrases replace repetition. 10 out of 12 or better on Handout 3.

Did students see that fewer linkers can mean better cohesion? Was albeit used correctly in the freer writing?

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Version A

Remote work has become popular. However, remote work has some problems. Moreover, remote work can make people feel lonely. On the other hand, remote work saves time because people don't commute. However, managers think remote work reduces productivity. Moreover, employees need good internet for remote work. In conclusion, remote work has advantages and disadvantages.

Version B

Remote work has expanded rapidly since 2020. Whereas many managers remain sceptical, most employees report that such arrangements improve their work–life balance, albeit at the cost of some social contact. Given that commuting in large cities can take two hours a day, this benefit is considerable. Provided that staff have reliable internet and clear objectives, productivity need not suffer. Notwithstanding these advantages, isolation remains a genuine concern; unless organisations provide regular opportunities for face-to-face contact, this problem is likely to grow.

Discuss.

• Which version is easier to read? Why? ______________________________
• How many times is remote work repeated in Version A? In Version B? ______________________________

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

A. Find the linkers in Version B and classify them.

B. Find three referencing phrases (this / such / these + noun) in Version B. What does each refer to?

C. Discuss.

• What follows albeit? A clause or a phrase? ______________________________
• What tense follows Provided that? ______________________________

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

A. Choose the correct linker.

B. Correct the errors.

C. Replace the repeated words in bold with a referencing phrase.

• Whereas / Provided that urban schools have good facilities, rural schools often lack basic resources.
• The project was successful, albeit / although expensive.
• Given / Unless the high cost of fuel, many people now cycle.
• You can borrow the car as long as / whereas you return it by 6.
• Notwithstanding / Providing the delays, the bridge opened on schedule.
• Unless / Given that the policy changes, the problem will continue.
• Sales increased, albeit they increased slowly. ______________________________
• Provided that the weather will be good, we'll go. ______________________________
• Rural areas are poor. Whereas, cities are wealthy. ______________________________
• Rents in Colombo have doubled in five years. Rents in Colombo doubling has forced many young people to live with their parents. → ______________________________
• Some companies offer flexible hours. Companies offering flexible hours report lower staff turnover. → ______________________________
• The study compared buses and trains. Trains were faster, but buses were cheaper. → ______________________________

Edit this paragraph. Remove unnecessary linkers, add at least four from today, and replace repetition with referencing.

Online learning is growing. However, online learning has disadvantages. Moreover, online learning requires a good internet connection. On the other hand, online learning is flexible. However, students sometimes feel unmotivated. Moreover, teachers need training for online learning. However, online learning will continue to grow. In conclusion, online learning is good and bad.

Your version

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Handout 1

Handout 2, Exercise A

Handout 2, Exercise B

Handout 2, Exercise C

Handout 3, Exercise A

Handout 3, Exercise B

Handout 3, Exercise C

Handout 4 (model)

Online learning is growing rapidly, albeit unevenly. Provided that students have a reliable internet connection, it offers considerable flexibility. Whereas some learners thrive in this environment, others struggle with motivation. Given that many teachers have had little training in digital methods, this problem is not surprising. Notwithstanding these challenges, such courses are likely to remain an important part of education.

Common errors to watch for

• Version B: varied linkers, logical connections, less repetition. · 2. Version A: seven times; Version B: once.
• Contrast / comparison: whereas, albeit, notwithstanding · Condition: provided that, unless · Premise: given that
• such arrangements → remote work · this benefit → saving commuting time / better work–life balance · these advantages → work–life balance and maintained productivity · (also this problem → isolation)
• A phrase (at the cost of some social contact). · 2. Present simple (have).
• Whereas · 2. albeit · 3. Given · 4. as long as · 5. Notwithstanding · 6. Unless
• Sales increased, albeit slowly. · 2. Provided that the weather is good, we'll go. · 3. Whereas rural areas are poor, cities are wealthy. / Rural areas are poor, whereas cities are wealthy.
• This increase / This trend has forced ... · 2. Such companies / These companies report ... · 3. The latter were faster, but the former were cheaper.