Using Concept Checking Questions to Strengthen ESL Understanding

🎯 Introduction

Asking “Do you understand?” rarely gives teachers useful information. Concept checking questions (CCQs) help confirm real understanding quickly and clearly. This post explains how TEFL teachers can use CCQs to prevent confusion and strengthen learning across grammar, vocabulary, and skills lessons.

📄 Why It Matters / Why It Works

Students often say they understand even when they do not. CCQs work because they test meaning, not confidence. By asking focused questions about use, time, or context, teachers uncover misunderstandings early. This saves time, prevents repeated errors, and builds learner confidence through clarity.

📚 Practical Teaching Strategies / Steps / Activities

1. Meaning-Focused CCQs

After teaching a structure, ask questions like:

• Is this about now or the past?

• Is it finished or continuing?These questions check understanding without grammar jargon.

  
  

2. Use Yes/No and Either/Or Formats

Keep CCQs simple and quick.Example: “Did it happen once or many times?”Clear options reduce confusion.

3. Visual-Supported CCQs

Use timelines, pictures, or gestures when asking CCQs.Visuals help lower-level learners respond accurately.

4. Student-Generated CCQs

Ask students to create CCQs for a partner after a mini-lesson.Teaching others reinforces understanding.

5. CCQs Before Practice Tasks

Always check understanding before moving to activities.This prevents errors caused by unclear instructions or meaning.

💡 Pro Tip

Avoid using the target language in the CCQ itself. Check meaning, not memorization.

📌 Final Thought

Concept checking questions make understanding visible. GoTEFL trains teachers to teach with clarity and precision, while TEIK connects educators with classrooms where strong comprehension leads to confident language use.