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Mastering Grammar Teaching Through CCQs

The document provides a framework for using Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) to enhance grammar teaching by ensuring students truly understand language use. CCQs are designed to uncover misunderstandings and provide clear feedback on comprehension, using simple, specific, and target-free questions. The guide includes practical techniques, examples, and a 5-step process for effectively implementing CCQs in the classroom.

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Gilberto Maldonado
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4 views18 pages

Mastering Grammar Teaching Through CCQs

The document provides a framework for using Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) to enhance grammar teaching by ensuring students truly understand language use. CCQs are designed to uncover misunderstandings and provide clear feedback on comprehension, using simple, specific, and target-free questions. The guide includes practical techniques, examples, and a 5-step process for effectively implementing CCQs in the classroom.

Uploaded by

Gilberto Maldonado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mastering Grammar

Teaching Through
Concept Checking
Questions (CCQs)
A Practical Framework for Ensuring Student Understanding

@LINHLEELT
Introduction
Teaching grammar isn¾t just about explaining rules. It¾s about
ensuring students truly understand how and when to use
language accurately. Many learners seem to grasp explanations
but still struggle in practice because the question like <Do you
understand?= don¾t reveal real comprehension.

Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) provide a practical way to


bridge this gap. By targeting meaning, use, and context, CCQs
help uncover misunderstandings early. This guide offers ready-
to-use strategies to make CCQs a powerful part of your
grammar teaching toolkit. @LINHLEELT
What Are
CCQs &
Why Use
Them?
Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) are simple questions that test if
students really understand new grammar or vocabulary without using
the target language in the question.

Why "Do you understand?" doesn't work:

Students often say "yes" even when confused


It doesn't show what they actually understand
Cultural pressure to appear knowledgeable

CCQs are better because they:

Reveal specific misunderstandings


Give you real feedback about student comprehension
Help students think more deeply about language @LINHLEELT
The CCQ Formula
' Good CCQs are:

Simple - easier language than what you're teaching

Specific - test one thing at a time

Clear - yes/no or either/or questions work best

Target-free - don't use the new grammar/vocabularies in your


question

o Avoid CCQs that:

Use the target language

Are too complex or confusing

Test multiple concepts at once

Use unfamiliar vocabulary

@LINHLEELT
Quick CCQ Techniques
1. Yes/No Questions
Best for: Basic understanding

"Is this happening now?"


"Is this finished?"
"Is this real or imaginary?"

2. Either/Or Questions
Best for: Basic understanding

"Is this happening now?"


"Is this finished?"
"Is this real or imaginary?"

3. Visual Aids + Questions


Timeline + "When does this
happen?"
Pictures + "Which one shows...?"
Scale + "How certain is this?"
@LINHLEELT
Ready-to-Use CCQ
Examples
Present Continuous vs Present
Simple

Target: "Look! They're painting the wall"

Is it happening now? (Yes)


Can you see it? (Yes)
Is it finished? (No)

Target: "She works in a shop"

Does she have a job? (Yes)


Is she working right now? (Don't know)
Does she work there every day? (Yes)

@LINHLEELT
Ready-to-Use CCQ
Examples
Present Perfect

Target: "I've lived here for 5 years"

Do I live here now? (Yes)


When did I start? (5 years ago)
Am I still living here? (Yes)

Target: "She's broken her leg"

Is her leg broken now? (Yes)


Can she walk normally? (No)
When did it happen? (In the past, recently)

@LINHLEELT
Ready-to-Use CCQ
Examples
Conditionals

Target: "If I won the lottery, I'd buy a car"

Have I won the lottery? (No)


Am I going to win? (Probably not)
Am I going to buy a car? (Probably not)
Is this real or imaginary? (Imaginary)

Target: "If it rains, I'll stay home"

Is it raining now? (No)


Do I know if it will rain? (No)
Is rain possible? (Yes)
Is this real or imaginary? (Real possibility)

@LINHLEELT
Ready-to-Use CCQ
Examples
Modal Verbs

Target: "You must be tired" (deduction)

Am I sure about this? (Yes)


Can I see evidence? (Yes)
Is this my opinion? (Strong opinion)

Target: "You should see a doctor" (advice)

Is this an order? (No)


Do you have to? (Not necessarily)
Is this good advice? (Yes)

@LINHLEELT
5-Step CCQ Process
Step 1: Plan Your CCQs

Identify what might confuse students


Write 3-5 key questions before class
Prepare visual aids if needed

Step 2: Present the Language

Give context and examples


Explain form and meaning

Step 3: Check with CCQs


Ask your prepared questions
Wait for answers from multiple students
Don't accept just nods or silence

@LINHLEELT
5-Step CCQ Process
Step 4: Clarify if
Needed
If students struggle,
explain again
Ask different CCQs
Use gestures or visuals

Step 5: Move to Practice

Only proceed when students show understanding


Monitor during practice for comprehension issues

@LINHLEELT
When to Use CCQs
' Always use CCQs for:

New grammar structures


Abstract vocabulary (emotions, concepts)
Words that look similar to L1 but mean different things
Cultural references or idioms
Complex functions (advice, permission, obligation)

¦ Consider CCQs for:

Vocabulary with multiple meanings


Formal vs informal language
Pronunciation that affects meaning

o Skip CCQs for:

Simple, obvious vocabulary (cat, red, big)


Previously learned language being recycled
Meaning that's crystal clear from context @LINHLEELT
Quick Troubleshooting
1. Problem:
Students say "I
don't know"
Solutions:

Make questions simpler


Give either/or choices
Use gestures or pictures
Break into smaller steps

2. Problem: Students always say "yes"

Solutions:

Ask specific either/or questions


Use different students for each question
Ask for examples: "Give me another sentence"

@LINHLEELT
Quick Troubleshooting
Problem: No time for CCQs
Solutions:

Prepare 2-3 key questions only


Focus on the most important concepts
Integrate CCQs into practice activities

@LINHLEELT
CCQ Cheat Sheet by
Grammar Point (1)
Grammar Key CCQ Focus Sample Questions

Present Now? Temporary? "Is it happening


Continuous now?" "Is it
finished?"

Present Perfect Past³Present "Is it finished?" "Can


connection you see the result
now?"

Past Simple Finished? When? "Is it finished?" "Was


it yesterday or
today?"

Will Future Definite? Decision "Are you sure?"


time? "When did you
decide?"

Remember: Keep it simple, don't use the target grammar, test


understanding! @LINHLEELT
CCQ Cheat Sheet by
Grammar Point (2)
Grammar Key CCQ Focus Sample Questions

Going to Plan? Evidence? "Did you decide


before?" "Can you
see signs?"

Must/Can't How sure? "Are you certain?"


(deduction) Evidence? "Can you see
proof?"

Should Advice? "Is this advice?"


Obligation? "Do you have to?"

Conditionals Real? Possible? "Is this real or


imaginary?" "Is it
possible?"

Remember: Keep it simple, don't use the target grammar, test


understanding! @LINHLEELT
Final Tips
1. Start small - Try CCQs with one new structure per lesson
2. Observe and adjust - If students struggle in practice, your CCQs
might need work
3. Build a question bank - Keep successful CCQs for reuse
4. Practice makes perfect - CCQs get easier with experience
5. Focus on function - Always test "when/why do we use this?"
not just "what does it mean?"

The goal is genuine understanding, not just recognition. Good CCQs


ensure your students are ready to use new language confidently
and correctly.

@LINHLEELT
From Explanation to
Understanding
Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) are a simple, powerful tool
that helps bridge the gap between teaching and learning.

By using CCQs consistently, you can:

Spot misunderstandings before they become habits


Boost student confidence through clear checks
Tailor practice based on real comprehension
Sharpen your awareness of common learning challenges

Start small by trying CCQs with one or two grammar points, and
build from there.

A few targeted questions now can prevent hours of


correction later.

@LINHLEELT

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