CCQ stands for concept checking questions, which are questions that teachers ask their students to check their understanding of a certain concept, such as a grammar point, a vocabulary item, or a communicative function. CCQs are an important tool for English language teachers, as they help them to assess whether their students have grasped the target language, and to identify and correct any misunderstandings or errors.
The use of CCQs has several benefits for both teachers and students. For teachers, CCQs can help them to:
- Monitor their students’ progress and learning outcomes
- Provide immediate feedback and clarification
- Adjust their teaching pace and methods according to the students’ needs
- Engage their students in meaningful interaction and practice
- Review and reinforce the target language
For students, CCQs can help them to:
- Check their own understanding and self-correct
- Activate their prior knowledge and make connections
- Develop their critical thinking and analytical skills
- Increase their confidence and motivation
- Retain the target language better
To use CCQs effectively, English language teachers should follow some guidelines, such as:
- Plan the CCQs in advance, based on the lesson objectives and anticipated difficulties
- Ask clear, simple, and relevant questions that focus on the key aspects of the concept
- Avoid using the target language or complex terminology in the questions
- Use a variety of question types, such as yes/no, multiple choice, open-ended, etc.
- Elicit answers from different students and encourage peer feedback
- Confirm or correct the answers with clear explanations and examples
Here are some examples of CCQs for different language items:
- Present perfect: I have lived in London for two years. (CCQ: Do I live in London now? Yes. Did I live in London in the past? Yes. When did I start living in London? Two years ago.)
- Comparative adjective: John is taller than Mary. (CCQ: Who is taller, John or Mary? John. Is Mary taller than John? No. Are they the same height? No.)
- Modal verb: You must wear a seatbelt when you drive. (CCQ: Is it a good idea to wear a seatbelt? Yes. Is it optional to wear a seatbelt? No. What happens if you don’t wear a seatbelt? You can get fined or injured.)
- Preposition of place: The book is on the table. (CCQ: Where is the book? On the table. Is the book under the table? No. Is the book next to the table? No.)
- Past continuous: She was reading a book when the phone rang. (CCQ: What was she doing when the phone rang? Reading a book. Did she finish reading the book? No. What did she do after the phone rang? She answered the phone or stopped reading.)