The document provides guidance on concept checking vocabulary by asking students questions to confirm their understanding of new words. It emphasizes that questions should check the specific meaning of words, be easy to answer in short responses, avoid using the target language, and focus on the intended vocabulary. Examples demonstrate both correct and incorrect ways to concept check words like "bait", "sensible", "wandered" and "LED indicator". Teachers are advised to use pictures, true/false, either/or and personalized questions tailored to each student's context.

1. Concept Checking for Vocabulary
Jo Gakonga
CELTA trainer
elt-training.com

2. Teaching Vocabulary
1. Put the new vocabulary in a clear context
2. Explain/ clarify what it means

3. Teaching Vocabulary
1. Put the new vocabulary in a clear context
2. Explain/ clarify what it means
3. Check that they understand.

4. For class:
Watch this video to find out:
–Why is concept checking important?
–What are the ‘golden rules’?

5. What problems can you see with the following
ways of checking meaning?
What does ‘bait’ mean?
Do you all understand ‘sensible’?
You all seem to understand
‘relative’

6. What does ‘bait’ mean?

7. What does ‘irony’ mean?

8. Do you all understand ‘sensible’?

10. How can we check that they understand?
By asking (closed) questions that are easy
to answer and prove that they understand.

11. Step 1
Identify the meaning of the word
Step 2
Turn that meaning into a closed
question with a short/ easy answer.

12. Example
He managed to get to sleep.
–He tried to do something.
–It wasn’t easy.
–He succeeded

13. Now make these into questions..
He tried to do something.
Did he try? (yes)
It wasn’t easy.
Was it easy? (no)
He succeeded.
Did he succeed? (yes)

14. And that’s all there is to it!

15. What’s wrong with this?
He didn't know if he was coming or going
• Was he coming?
• Was he going?
• Did he know?

16. What’s wrong with this?
He didn't know if he was coming or going
• He was confused.
Was he confused?

17. Helpful Hint 1
Make sure that you are checking the
MEANING

18. What’s wrong with this?
A wardrobe.
• Is it made of wood?
• Is there one in your house?

19. What’s wrong with this?
A wardrobe.
• Do you put food or clothes in a wardrobe?
(clothes)
• Which room is it in? (bedroom)
• Show a picture – Is this a wardrobe? (yes)

20. Helpful Hint 2
Make sure that you are
specific
about the meaning.

21. What’s wrong with this?
He wandered about the town.
• Did he wander about?

22. What’s wrong with this?
He wandered about the town.
– Did he walk? (yes)
– Did he walk fast? (no)
– Did he have somewhere special to go? (no)

23. Helpful Hint 3
Don’t use the
target language
. in the question

24. What’s wrong with this?
The conductor checked the tickets.
Did he verify or ascertain that they were in
order?

25. What’s wrong with this?
The conductor checked the tickets.
Did he look at the tickets? (yes)
Did he want to know if the ticket was OK? (yes)

26. Helpful Hint 4
Grade the vocabulary
that you use below the target language

27. What’s wrong with this?
The LED indicator will turn off.
– What will turn off?

28. What’s wrong with this?
The LED indicator will turn off.
– Show a picture – Is this an LED indicator? (yes)
– Is it a light? (yes)
– Is it big or small? (small)

29. Helpful Hint 5
Make sure that your questions
target
the right language

30. Now you try……
‘Snow’
• What does this word mean?
• Now change those statements into questions.

31. Possible CCQs
Show a picture
Is this snow? (yes)

32. Possible CCQs
Or negative checking
Is this snow? (no)

33. Possible CCQs
Yes/ No questions
• Is it cold? (yes)
• Does it fall from the sky? (yes)

34. Possible CCQs
Short answer questions
• What colour is it? (white)
• What time of year does it usually come?
(winter)
• What sport can you do in it? (skiing)

35. Possible answers
Either/or questions
Is it hot or cold? (cold)
Does it come in the winter or summer, usually?
(winter)

36. Possible CCQs
Personalised questions
Do you get snow in your country?

37. Now try doing some on your own.
Choose a word
Identify its meaning
Think of two or three CCQs
Good luck!