Instructional Method: Concept Check Questions

Learning a foreign language can be an exhilarating journey, full of the thrill of discovering new words, grammar rules and cultural nuances. Yet as teachers of foreign languages we often face the daunting task of making sure our students truly grasp what we teach - after all teaching isn't just about providing information - rather it should ensure it has been understood, absorbed and can be utilized by learners - this is where concept checking comes into play.

Concept Checking is an indispensable element of language teaching that serves to ensure learners fully comprehend any new vocabulary or grammar that's been introduced. Instead of asking learners directly if they understand, which often yields just an acknowledgment without really measuring comprehension, concept checking goes deeper by using specially crafted questions known as concept check questions to probe comprehension of new language items. In fact, many training programs for teacher education jobs emphasize concept checking as a core skill because of its direct impact on learner outcomes.

What Are Concept Check Questions?

Concept check questions are at the core of concept checking. Teachers use them to indirectly assess whether learners have understood what has been presented; rather than asking a superficial yes/no question, these inquiry-based queries prompt learners to think, articulate and demonstrate their knowledge.

When teaching the present perfect tense, instead of asking students "Do you understand the present perfect tense?" you could pose this question instead: Which is correct: 'I have lived here since 5 years' or 'I have lived here for 5 years? This question not only ensures their comprehension but also checks if they can apply it accurately.

What Are the Guidelines for Crafting Concept Check Questions?

Concept check questions should be designed using familiar language that allows learners to clearly express their understanding, rather than further disorienting them. They may take the form of yes/no questions, 50/50 questions or closed questions for optimal performance.

Importantly, your target language shouldn't serve as the answer to every question about it. For example, when teaching "bicycle," do not pose questions like, "What has two wheels and you can ride?" as this could lead to answers such as motorcycle or scooter. Instead, ask questions such as, "Can a bicycle pedal? or Does a bicycle have motor?"

Can You Provide An Example of an Effective Concept Check Question?

Take, for example, the term "sitcom". To test its understanding effectively, ask questions such as: "Is Friends a sitcom?"; "Do sitcoms make you laugh?"; or "Which one is better: Friends or E.R?" These will prompt learners to apply their knowledge without directly defining it - thus effectively testing comprehension.

Are There Any Common Mistakes When Crafting Concept Check Questions?

Concept check questions can be immensely useful, yet must be constructed carefully to avoid common pitfalls. One such pitfall is using target language as the answer; for instance if your topic is "lion," avoid asking students questions like: "Which animal roars?" or "What animal reigns as King of the Jungle?" as these types of queries do not demonstrate whether students actually comprehended what you meant when you posed this inquiry or just knew the term was the answer to your query.

Another frequent error is to pose too many complex questions, rather than checking understanding. Keep your questions simple and direct for optimal results.

Concept checking is an indispensable component of effective language teaching. It ensures that our teaching goes beyond simply conveying information; rather it must ensure true comprehension and absorption by learners. By developing thoughtful, clear, and simple concept check questions we can better gauge students' comprehension while helping them navigate language learning more confidently. By prioritizing concept checking efforts on potentially confusing or difficult language items we can make our lessons more impactful while making their journey worthwhile. For anyone preparing for teacher education jobs, mastering the use of concept checking is not just helpful but essential, as it demonstrates both pedagogical awareness and classroom effectiveness.