⏱ 5 Minutes · Teacher Training
My trainer said it in week one and I’ve never forgotten: ‘Do you understand?’ is the least useful question in a classroom. The only honest answer is ‘yes’ — because ‘no’ is embarrassing. You want to KNOW if they understand. So you ask something they can only answer correctly if they do. That is a CCQ.
Used to check meaning. A CCQ is a simple question (usually yes/no, or a forced choice) that the learner can only answer correctly if they understood the target language.
Target language: ‘She was exhausted.’
CCQs:
• Did she have a lot of energy? (No.)
• Was she very tired? (Yes.)
• Did she feel this way for a short time or a long time? (Could be both — but exhausted suggests prolonged tiredness.)
Used to check task understanding — before learners do an activity. Avoid giving too many ICQs; just check the critical instruction.
Instruction: ‘Work in pairs. Read the text and circle THREE problems the character faces.’
ICQs:
• How many problems are you looking for? (Three.)
• Are you working alone or in pairs? (Pairs.)
Write CCQs or ICQs for these:
- Target: ‘I’ve lived here since 2005.’ Write 2 CCQs to check meaning.
- Task: ‘Listen and put the events in order.’ Write 1 ICQ.
💡 Check Answers
- CCQs: ‘Do I live here now?’ (Yes.) / ‘Did I start living here in 2005?’ (Yes.) / ‘Is this a finished or ongoing situation?’ (Ongoing.)
- ICQ: ‘Are you writing the events or just numbering them?’ (Numbering them.) — confirms they don’t need to copy.
Independent project — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.