The Grammar Illusion
You just taught the Present Perfect for life experience ('I have visited Japan'). The students complete a fill-in-the-blank worksheet with 90% accuracy.
You ask: 'Do you understand?' They nod.
Then, in the speaking activity, a student says: 'I have visited Japan last year.'
The illusion is broken. They memorized the formula (have + V3), but they didn't understand the underlying concept (unspecified time in the past). To avoid this, you need CCQs.
What is a CCQ?
A Concept Checking Question (CCQ) is a simple, binary or short-answer question designed to test the core meaning of a grammar structure, completely separate from its form.
Good CCQs use vocabulary that is much simpler than the target grammar. They never use the target grammar structure themselves, and they require active thought, not just repeating the rule.
How to Build a CCQ
Step 1: Isolate the meaning.
Target: *'If I won the lottery, I would buy an island.'* (Second Conditional)
Core meaning: 1. It is about the future. 2. It is highly unlikely/imaginary.
Target: *'If I won the lottery, I would buy an island.'* (Second Conditional)
Core meaning: 1. It is about the future. 2. It is highly unlikely/imaginary.
Step 2: Turn the meaning into simple questions.
- *CCQ 1: Are we talking about the past, or the future? (Future)*
- *CCQ 2: Am I rich now? (No)*
- *CCQ 3: Is it probable that I will buy an island, or just a dream? (A dream)*
- *CCQ 1: Are we talking about the past, or the future? (Future)*
- *CCQ 2: Am I rich now? (No)*
- *CCQ 3: Is it probable that I will buy an island, or just a dream? (A dream)*
If the students can answer these three questions, they possess the concept. Only then should you worry about the form (If + past, would + verb).
Rules for Effective CCQs
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No Grammar Terms
Don't ask, 'Is this the past participle?' Ask, 'Did it happen yesterday?'
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Binary is Best
Yes/No, True/False, or A/B questions require the least linguistic friction to answer.
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Avoid 'Why'
Don't ask 'Why did I use this tense?'. That tests meta-linguistic awareness, not comprehension.
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Teacher Tip
"Plan your CCQs while writing your lesson plan. Designing good CCQs on the spot while standing in front of 20 students is incredibly difficult. Write them in your margins next to the target language."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CCQs for vocabulary?
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Yes! If teaching the word 'exhausted'. CCQ: 1. Am I a little tired, or very tired? 2. Do I want to run a marathon, or go to sleep?
Should I ask CCQs to the whole class, or individual students?
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Ask the class first, and encourage choral answers or hand gestures (thumbs up/down). If the response is mixed, ask an individual student to explain.