{"id":28063,"date":"2023-09-03T15:11:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-03T21:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sandbox.bridge.edu\/bridgetefl.com-2017\/blog\/?p=50"},"modified":"2023-10-16T11:15:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T17:15:06","slug":"ccq-using-concept-checking-questions-esl-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/ccq-using-concept-checking-questions-esl-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You CCQ? Using Concept Checking Questions in the ESL Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cDo you understand?\u201d \u201cDoes that make sense?\u201d \u201cDo you have it?\u201d It doesn’t matter how a teacher might ask, these types of questions are not the most effective attempts at checking comprehension with ESL students, who might simply say \u201cyes\u201d whether they understand or not. Using concept checking questions (CCQs), on the other hand, is a more effective way to test students\u2019 comprehension of a subject. Let’s take a deep dive into using CCQs in the ESL classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for best practices in giving effective feedback? Read about mastering the art of feedback for ESL students.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a CCQ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be asking yourself, \u201cHow do CCQs differ from simply asking students if they understand?” To boil it down, CCQs in ESL are targeted questions or prompts that elicit a response that exhibits the student’s understanding. The questions are presented after a lesson to assess comprehension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, after a lesson on the simple past tense, instead of asking the class, “Do you understand how to form the past tense?” the teacher might wrap up the lesson by asking students to come to the board and write one thing they did before coming to class today. Some examples could be “I ate breakfast,” “I studied,” or “I did my homework.” Online teachers can have students do this same activity using a chatbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ESL Teacher Cassie applies CCQ techniques to increase student engagement and continually assess student learning progress<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When do teachers need to use CCQs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Questions like these allow teachers and students to confirm the lesson concept is understood. CCQs for teaching ESL can be used any time a teacher wants to assess students’ learning. They’re a great tool for when you teach ESL vocabulary<\/a> or grammar. These questions might check comprehension of lexical items, phrases, and grammatical structure, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concept checking questions in the ESL classroom should be reasonably simple questions suitable for the student\u2019s age and English-speaking level. These questions are designed to highlight the essence of the day\u2019s target language and verbally check for understanding of grammar, vocabulary, communicative functions, and instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about developing CCQs and how to implement other teaching strategies in Bridge’s 120-hour TEFL\/TESOL Master Certificate course.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the primary purpose behind using concept checking questions in the ESL classroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a word, understanding. In the physical or online classroom, the main purpose of a CCQ in TEFL\/TESOL is to determine if the student comprehends what you\u2019ve taught without explicitly asking, \u201cDo you understand now?\u201d Although the answer to this question is what the teacher wants to know, the broad phrasing does not target a specific skill or concept and may be misinterpreted. Additionally, this question wouldn\u2019t provide any insight into the student\u2019s comprehension level and is likely to be answered with only a yes or no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability to ask effective questions that apply to the lesson is key to implementing a smooth CCQ experience with your students. Good CCQs can also increase natural conversation as the student expands on their answers and ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can a TEFL CCQ check for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, by using CCQs, the teacher evaluates what their students know and, in turn, the students get to participate in the learning process of discovering and understanding the new language. Using concept checking questions in the ESL classroom allows for informal evaluation of students throughout their learning experience. Knowledge gained through informal evaluation creates opportunities for teachers to tailor curriculum, games, or other activities to further improve a student’s mastery of the concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, through CCQs, learners articulate their English knowledge, and teachers clarify and add to that knowledge. This is beneficial for both teacher and student, as the teacher can also determine what changes may need to be made to future CCQs. Like all teaching tools, concept checking questions in the ESL classroom will need to be adjusted for each class based on age, level, and learning goals for the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EFL teacher Rachel Cordova offers positive feedback to students online.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to make concept checking questions: The Golden Rules for using CCQs when teaching English<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next, you may be wondering how to create your own concept checking questions. To make the process simple, we\u2019ve compiled a list of five \u201cGolden Rules.\u201d Referencing these rules often, until comfortable, will help you, as the teacher, create a learning atmosphere that is effective and efficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the Golden Rules at a glance in this infographic!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n