Writing Effective Concept Checking Questions (CCQs)

Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) are essential for ensuring that students have actually grasped the meaning of a new piece of language.

Why CCQs?

Asking “Do you understand?” is useless. Students will often say “Yes” even if they are confused, either out of politeness or because they think they understand when they don’t.

The Rules of CCQs

1. Simple language: The questions must be easier than the target language itself.
2. Binary answers: Aim for Yes/No, Either/Or, or one-word answers.
3. No Target Language: Don’t use the word you are checking in the question.

Example: “He used to smoke.”

• Wrong: “Did he use to smoke?” (Uses the target language).
• Correct:
  • “Does he smoke now?” (No).
  • “Did he smoke in the past?” (Yes).
  • “Was it a one-time thing or a habit?” (A habit).