Questioning
With contributions from: Angelica Rodriguez
How often do you stop to think about the questions you ask in your sessions? A well-placed question is more than a request for an answer - it’s a spark that can ignite curiosity, uncover understanding, and even build confidence.
But crafting great questions? That’s an art (and a little bit of a science). Let’s dive into how you can turn your questioning technique into a superpower for your students.
Why do the right questions matter?
Asking questions isn’t just about checking what your student knows; it’s about guiding them to think critically, reflect deeply, and feel empowered to explore.
Think about it - when you ask, “What do you think comes next?” or “Why do you think that’s the answer?” you’re handing the reins over to your student. They’re no longer just passive receivers of information; they’re active participants in their own learning journey.
Types of questions
1. Open-Ended questions
These are your go-to for sparking thought and conversation. Instead of a yes/no answer, they encourage exploration.
Example: “How would you explain this problem to a friend?”
Why they work: They encourage your student to explain their reasoning, which helps solidify their understanding.
2. Probing questions
Perfect for digging deeper when a student gives a surface-level answer.
Example: “What makes you say that?” or “Can you tell me more about your thinking here?”
Why they work: They push students to reflect and articulate their thought process, helping you identify any gaps in understanding.
3. Recall questions
Useful for revisiting past material and reinforcing learning.
Example: “Can you remember the three steps we covered last week?”
Why they work: They jog memory and show your student that building knowledge is a journey, not a sprint.
4. Confidence-Boosting questions
These give your student a win when they’re struggling.
Example: “What part of this problem feels easiest to you?”
Why they work: They shift the focus from “I can’t” to “I can,” which is often all a student needs to take the next step.
The Power of Wait Time
Here’s a secret weapon: silence. After you ask a question, pause. Count to five in your head if you must. It can feel awkward, but giving your student space to think often leads to richer, more thoughtful answers.
Why? Because silence is not just empty space – it’s processing time. When you give a student a moment to reflect, you’re allowing their brain to sort through what they’ve learned, connect the dots, and formulate a response. This is particularly valuable for students who might feel anxious about answering too quickly or worry about getting it wrong.
Avoid falling into the Question Trap!
We’ve all been there - firing off too many questions in quick succession, or asking something so vague that even you’re not sure where you’re going with it.
Here’s how to avoid these common pitfalls:
Ask fewer, better questions. Give each one time to land.
Be clear and specific. Make sure your questions have a clear focus.
Tailor your questions. Match the level of difficulty to your student’s current understanding.
We dive deeper into how to analyse and adjust question levels in our Question Level Analysis article, give it a read if you’d like to dig deeper!
A Challenge For You!
Try experimenting with the types of questions you use in your next session. Pick one or two from the list above and see how your student responds.
Want an extra challenge? Keep track of your questions for a session. At the end, reflect:
Did your questions encourage thinking or just recall?
Did you give your student enough time to answer?
What might you do differently next time?
Great questioning isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about helping your students discover their own. With a little practice, your questions can become the key to unlocking their potential.
As always, we’d love to hear your stories - what’s the best question you’ve asked recently, and what impact did it have?