CARE Application POWERFUL QUESTIONS CARE Application Module Powerful

CARE Application POWERFUL QUESTIONS

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions The aim of this topic is to highlight the importance of powerful questions in the learning process. Objectives: - Elicit types of questions, - Distinguish powerful questions from those which are not, - Show to use them in the classroom.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Content 1. CAT exercise 2. Types of questions: General or Yes/No Questions, Special or Wh-Questions, Choice Questions, Tag Questions, Hypothetical Questions, Indirect questions, Leading questions, 3. Purpose of asking questions, 4. Classroom questions, 5. Powerful questions, 6. Powerful questions in the classroom, 7. Benefits & Limitations, 8. Activities, 9. Group discussion.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions cat CAT is a very simple concept. Nevertheless, when we think about a CAT, we can form many different pictures in our mind and create different emotions with it. So, what about when a student says “I want to learn English”? Do you really know what that means to him or her? Or do you think they have the same “picture” as you in their heads?

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions General or Yes/No Questions Common questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” are logically called yes/no questions. Examples: Did she tidy up the room? – Yes, she did/No, she didn’t. Have they done their project? – Yes, They have/ No, They haven’t. Will she buy that T-shirt? – Yes, She will/ No, She won’t.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Special or Wh-Questions A special question, uses a specific word at the beginning of the sentence. The questions words who, what, where, when, why, how many, etc. , are used to start the question: Examples: Where is she from? – When did they come here? – How did she meet him? – If the questions are about a subject (who? what? ) There is no auxiliary verb. Examples: They go to the gym. – Who goes to the gym? The glass is on the floor. – What is on the floor?

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Choice questions offer a choice of different options as an answer. They consist of two parts, which are connected by the conjunction “or”. Examples: Does he like pizza or burger? – He likes pizza. Where would you go, to the swimming pool or the gym? – I would go to the gym. Is he a professor or a student? – He is a student.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Tag Questions This type of question also consists of two parts, the first part is a positive statement, and the second part is negative, or vice-versa. Examples: She sent him a message, didn’t she? – Yes, she did. You aren’t getting divorced, are you? – No, I am not. Jane isn’t in Italy, is she? – No, she isn’t. Our mum will come soon, won’t she? – Yes, she will.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Tag Questions This type of question is also consists of two parts, the first part is a positive statement, and the second part is negative, or vice-versa. Examples: She sent him a message, didn’t she? – Yes, she did. You aren’t getting divorced, are you? – No, I am not. Jane isn’t in Italy, is she? – No, she isn’t. Our mum will come soon, won’t she? – Yes, she will.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Hypothetical Questions We ask hypothetical questions to have a general idea of a certain situation (like a questionnaire). Examples: What would you do if you won the lottery? Would you leave your country and your relatives behind to study abroad? If you had a superpower, what would it be?

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Indirect questions We use them in order to be polite. Examples: I’d like to know how much this purse costs. Do you know what time the post office opens? Would it be possible for you to finish the report by Wednesday? Could you tell me if your friends are joining us for lunch?

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Leading questions We ask leading questions when we want to get the answer we desire. Examples: What do you think of the terrible side effects of alcohol? Were you with your husband at the time of the crime?

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions 3. Purpose of asking questions -To develop interest and motivate students to participate actively in lessons -To develop their own critical thinking and inquiring skills -To review and sum up previous lessons -To stimulate students to search for knowledge on their own -To get information from / about your students -To create rapport with your students

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions 4. Classroom Questions According the British Council webpage: http: //esol. britishcouncil. org/content/teachers/staff-room/teaching-articles/asking-questions Classroom questions tend to fall into two broad categories: 1. Display questions These are designed to elicit learners’ prior knowledge and to check comprehension. They often focus on the form or meaning of language structures and items, and the teacher already knows the answer. What does. . . mean? When do we use. . . ? What comes after. . . ?

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions 2. Referential questions These require the learner to provide information, give an opinion, explain or clarify. They often focus on content rather than language, require ‘follow-up’ or ‘probe’ questions, and the answer is not necessarily known by the teacher. What do you think about. . . ? Have you ever. . when/where. . . ? If you had. . . what. . . ? The best referential questions are those that are ‘divergent’ or ‘open-ended’ in that they are broad, may have multiple answers, and require a higher level of thinking from the learners. (Written by Steve Darn, Freelance Trainer & Funda Çetin, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey )

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions A powerful question: ● ● ● invites curiosity in the listener stimulates reflective conversation is thought-provoking surfaces underlying assumptions encourages creativity and new possibilities generates energy and forward movement channels attention and focuses inquiry stays with participants touches a deep meaning evokes more questions creates rapport

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions A powerful question should be: ● ● ● short clear and easy to understand precise (needs a specific goal) adaptable (it should suit your needs) focused on present and future (on student’s goals)

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Try to avoid WHY questions: those questions usually have an accusing connotation. Especially if the question is about responsibility. The answer should not be an excuse.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions How the corporate and political world are using powerful questions “What might DNA look like in a 3 D form? ” - the discovery of the double helix “Where can I get a good hamburger on the road? ” creation of Mc. Donald’s, the fast-food chain that became an international icon.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions 6. How can they be implemented into a classroom environment? Set goals for your questions. What information do you want to get from your students? What do you want your students to achieve? Prepare questions in advance. It takes time to create effective questions. Brainstorm questions and questioning strategies. Once you prepare a list, consider possible outcomes and responses to your questions. Think about the set of questions. It can be simple or complex, general or specific. It is helpful to have a game plan prepared. For example, you may want to ask informational questions at the beginning of a unit to start the discussion and connect it to the material. Don’t stop asking and keep digging until you’ve reached your goal.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions Create alternatives to “Are there any questions? ” Students may feel peer pressure, not wanting to appear inadequate, etc. To avoid it, consider rephrasing: “Now, I’m sure you have some questions”, or “That was complicated. What did I leave out? ” End with feedback questions So, if I understand…. . Debrief yourself after each class. Make notes on the more and less successful questions after the session. Which questions generated the liveliest participation? Which interactions did not go as well as you planned, and why? ”

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions 7. Benefits ● ● ● ● FOCUS ATTENTION CREATIVITY CRITICAL THINKING FEEDBACK REPETITION MOTIVATION TO STUDY AWARENESS RESPONSIBILITY Limitations Takes learner attention away from learning material not targeted by the questions. Benefits of retrieval practice are greater if learners correctly answer most of the questions. Some questions might seem to daunting for the student’s level.

CARE – Application Module – Powerful Questions 8. Activities Who am I game in pairs where A is the teacher and B is a student. Give B instructions on his/her goals, background, motivation, fears, etc. and ask A to find out in max 10 questions about GOAL, MOTIVATION, LIMITATIONS, The idea is for B to be vague at the beginning and for A to get to the point by asking powerful questions. 9. Group discussion How can you use this in your classroom? What questions could you ask your students? No copyright infringement is intentional

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