Stop Asking ‘Do You Understand?’ — Use CCQs Instead

Stop Asking ‘Do You Understand?’ — Use CCQs Instead

🎙 From the classroom: My first week in the classroom in Landerneau, Brittany, I asked ‘Does everyone understand?’ about twenty times. A row of nodding heads. Then the task collapsed. One good concept-check question would have saved fifteen minutes.

💡 The Idea

A Concept Check Question (CCQ) tests understanding without using the target language. It should have a clear YES/NO or one-word answer. Never ask ‘Do you understand?’ — learners say yes out of politeness, not comprehension. Ask about meaning, not memory.

🗣 Example

Target: ‘I used to live in Sydney.’
❌ Teacher: ‘Do you understand?’ → Nods. No one learned anything.
✅ CCQs: ‘Do I live in Sydney now?’ → No. ‘Did I live there before?’ → Yes. ‘Did I move?’ → Yes. ‘Was it a short visit or a long period?’ → A long period.

🎯 Try It Now!