The key to effective tutoring: Asking questions

Asking questions like ‘Do you understand?’ or ‘Do you have any questions?’ might seem like natural ways to check in with students during a lesson. However, these simple prompts often lead to one-word responses like ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, which provide little insight into the student’s understanding. In many cases, students may claim they understand to avoid embarrassment or because they mistakenly believe they do, even when they don’t.

As tutors, it’s essential to ask the right questions to uncover what students truly know, identify gaps in their understanding, and guide them towards deeper learning. Asking questions is also a powerful way to keep students engaged and actively involved in their learning.

Effective questioning is what distinguishes great tutors from average ones. It’s not just about uncovering what students know – it’s about empowering them to think critically and take ownership of their learning. Here’s how you can refine your questioning techniques to get the best out of your students.

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Why asking questions matters

The questions we ask as tutors serve several important purposes:

• Uncovering prior knowledge: Thoughtful questions help gauge what a student already knows, allowing you to tailor your teaching. This ensures time isn’t wasted revisiting material they’re confident with and instead focuses on areas that require improvement.
• Identifying gaps and misconceptions: Effective questioning exposes areas where students struggle or hold incorrect assumptions, enabling you to address these issues directly.
• Encouraging critical thinking: Asking students to explain their reasoning encourages them to engage with the material on a deeper level. This helps them connect ideas, strengthen their analytical skills, and develop a more solid understanding.
• Building confidence: Encouraging students to articulate their thought processes often helps them realise that they know more than they think, boosting their confidence and motivation.

Asking effective questions ensures students take an active role in their learning. Too often, tutors do most of the talking, but real learning happens when students engage, think for themselves, and work through problems on their own.

Strategies for asking better questions

Effective questioning goes beyond simply asking if a student understands. It’s about exploring their thought process, assessing their comprehension, and identifying areas where they may need support. Here are some strategies to help you ask deeper, more meaningful questions:

1. Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions encourage students to provide detailed answers, giving you a clearer picture of their understanding.

• Instead of asking ‘Do you understand this formula?’, try ‘Can you explain how this formula works in your own words?’
• Instead of asking ‘Do you understand this graph?’, try ‘Can you explain what this graph is showing? How does it relate to the question?’
• Instead of asking ‘Do you understand the passage?’, try ‘Can you explain what motivates Macbeth to act the way he does in this passage?’

2. Scaffold your questions

Scaffolding involves breaking down complex ideas into smaller, manageable parts and guiding students through connected questions. This approach helps them gradually build understanding and confidence, allowing them to uncover the solution on their own.

Here are three examples of scaffolded questions:

• ‘What do you notice about this data?’ → ‘How do these trends compare to what we studied previously?’ → ‘What conclusions can you draw from this comparison?’
• ‘What does this term mean?’ → ‘How is it used in this context?’ → ‘Why do you think it’s important to the argument?’
• ‘What happens in the first step of this process?’ → ‘How does that step affect the next stage?’ → ‘What impact does the overall process have on the outcome?’

3. Use diagnostic questions

Diagnostic questions can be used to uncover gaps in understanding or address misconceptions that might not be immediately obvious. These questions help you pinpoint where a student is struggling, whether it’s a fundamental concept, an overlooked detail, or a misinterpretation of the material.

• ‘Why do you think we use this method here? Could we use a different one? Why or why not?’
• ‘Why do you think this policy was implemented in this scenario? Could a different approach have worked? Why or why not?’
• ‘How might a change in this variable influence the outcome?’

4. Pose hypothetical questions

Hypothetical questions encourage students to apply their knowledge to new scenarios, testing their grasp of the material while also boosting their confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems independently.

• ‘What would happen if we changed this variable? How would it affect the outcome?’
• ‘What would happen if a different country experienced this earthquake? How might it change the outcomes we’ve discussed?’
• ‘If the witches in Macbeth had not delivered any prophecies, how might Macbeth’s choices and his ultimate fate have been different?’

5. Focus on the process, not just the answer

Understanding how a student arrives at an answer is just as important as whether they get it right.

• ‘How did you approach this question? What was your first step?’
• ‘How did you decide which factors were most important to discuss when reading this essay question?’
• ‘What was your thought process when analysing this poem? Which lines stood out to you, and why?’

Gauging understanding in exam preparation

For students preparing for exams, it’s crucial to ask questions that help uncover how they’re approaching exam questions. This not only helps identify whether they are losing marks due to a lack of knowledge or misunderstanding the question, but it can also reveal other factors, such as poor exam technique or incomplete reasoning.

Here are some ways to check their understanding:

• Ask process-focused questions:
  • ‘What steps have you taken so far?’
  • ‘What key factors have you considered in analysing this data?’
  • ‘How have you structured your essay so far? What evidence have you included to support your argument?’

• Encourage them to verbalise their reasoning:
  • ‘Can you walk me through how you arrived at this answer?’
  • ‘Can you explain how you connected this data to the conclusions you’ve drawn?’
  • ‘Can you explain why you think this character acted this way?’

• Use targeted follow-ups:
  • If a student gets stuck, ask specific questions to help them focus on the next step.
  • If a student’s explanation is vague, ask ‘How does this specific factor influence the overall outcome or trend?’
  • If a student’s analysis feels incomplete, ask ‘Can you explain how this point relates to the main idea we’re discussing?’

Helping students reach their own conclusions

One of the hallmarks of great tutoring is guiding students to arrive at answers themselves, rather than simply providing solutions. Thoughtful questioning plays a key role in this:

• Use probing questions:
  • ‘What do you think would happen if you tried this?’
  • ‘What do you think would happen to the local economy if there weren’t any sea defences along the coast next to this town?’
  • ‘What might change in the story if this character had made a different choice?’
• Rephrase or redirect questions:
  • If a student gets stuck, try framing the question differently to help them look at the problem from a new angle.
  • If a student struggles to connect concepts, ask ‘How does this economic policy impact the environmental factors in this region?’
  • If a student struggles with interpretation, ask ‘How might this element change the overall meaning if it were different?’
• Encourage reflection:
  • ‘Does this solution make sense to you? Why?’
  • ‘Do you think this explanation fits with the evidence? Why or why not?’
  • ‘Does what you’ve written in this paragraph answer the question?’

What to do after asking a question

Effective questioning isn’t just about what you ask – it’s also about how you handle the moments that follow. One of the most crucial aspects of this is patience and giving students the time they need to think and respond.

While moments of silence can feel uncomfortable, they provide the space students need to process their thoughts and formulate meaningful responses. A little patience can make a big difference in helping students develop independence and critical thinking skills.

Tips for effective questioning

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when asking questions:

• Avoid leading questions: Avoid questions like ‘You’re okay with this, right?’ which suggest an answer or limit the student’s response.
• Adapt to the student’s level: Tailor your questions to match their understanding, gradually increasing complexity as they grow more confident.
• Read non-verbal cues: Hesitation, facial expressions, or body language can reveal when a student might be struggling, even if they don’t say so.

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Effective questioning is not a skill that develops overnight. It requires practice, patience, and adaptability. What works well for one student may not work for another, so be prepared to adjust your approach and try different methods. The key is to create an environment where students feel supported and encouraged to engage with the material actively. With time and effort, you’ll find that careful questioning not only enhances your students’ learning but also makes your tutoring sessions more rewarding and impactful.

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