Explain, Then Take a Question
After a prepared explanation, listeners ask one honest question and the speaker answers without reading notes.
Worked classroom example
Art
Explain how a design choice supports the intended audience, then answer a peer question.
Use this example to make the language move visible. Select subject content appropriate to the class’s age and prior knowledge.
Teaching sequence
- Give learners time to prepare a 30-second explanation.
- Listeners write one question that seeks clarification or evidence.
- The speaker answers from understanding, then checks whether the answer helped.
Materials and purpose
a short explanation and audience questions
A follow-up question checks understanding and builds flexible speaking.
Try it in your next lesson
Prepare
Use a short explanation and audience questions. Choose a second example that checks the same language move without repeating the original answer.
Classroom task
After a prepared explanation, listeners ask one honest question and the speaker answers without reading notes.
Check independent transfer
The speaker answers from understanding, then checks whether the answer helped.
Collect a response on fresh content. Note what was achieved without the model, partner or teacher prompt, then choose one next teaching step.
Teacher language
Teacher language
What helped you answer when you could not rely on your notes?
“What would help your listener follow that explanation?”
“How would you revise your response after that question?”
Respond to the learner
Identify one successful meaning or language choice. Ask about one gap, allow thinking time, then invite a revision. Check the revised move again on a fresh example.
Adjust support and challenge
Offer a brief model, useful vocabulary and partner rehearsal where needed. Keep the subject goal; reduce one prompt on fresh content and record what was independent.
Teaching this skill → · Age and language support →
More support
Offer thinking time, a small phrase bank and a clear listener role. Collect an individual explanation after paired rehearsal. Allow familiar-language notes or another response mode when checking subject understanding.
Greater independence
Change the content, evidence or audience. Remove the completed model and ask learners to explain a choice. Increase subject complexity only when it fits the curriculum and prior knowledge.
Choose the next step
If subject meaning is insecure, reteach the concept. If the concept is understood but the English is unclear, model one useful language relationship and invite a fresh response.