How can teachers use CCQs effectively, prepare learners for C1 and C2 exams, explore culture and give students more control—without overcomplicating their lessons?
In this episode of How to English TEFL Podcast, Gav and Em continue their A–Z of TEFL with the letter C.
We begin with practical C1 and C2 exam-preparation strategies: understanding the format, managing time, reading instructions carefully, using advanced language naturally and teaching learners to check their own work.
Em then demonstrates how Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) reveal whether students genuinely understand new language. Using the word “query”, we explore effective CCQs, contextual examples and why asking “Do you understand?” rarely gives teachers enough information.
For a lighter classroom activity, Gav challenges Em to match some spectacularly cheesy English chat-up lines. Could they help students practise grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and cultural comparison—or would they simply make everyone cringe?
We also discuss confidentiality in TEFL: how teachers can encourage meaningful conversation while protecting learners’ privacy and avoiding intrusive questions. Em then tries to separate genuine Business English buzzwords from Gav’s inventions, including “circle back”, “move the needle”, “touch base” and the suspicious “reinvent the rain”.
Finally, we explore culture and communication. Can English ever be culturally neutral? How much of their own culture should teachers bring into class, and how can learners’ cultures receive equal space?
Drawing on more than 40 years of combined teaching experience, we finish with two connected ideas: keep explanations and instructions simple, and give learners more control. Stepping back can create more opportunities for students to participate, make decisions and use English independently.
📚 ARTICLES AND TEACHING RESOURCES
C1 and C2 exam preparation:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/how-can-teachers-prepare-students-for-c1-and-c2-english-exams-s06e03/
Using CCQs effectively:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/what-are-ccqs-and-how-can-english-teachers-use-them-effectively-s06e03/
Chat-up lines as an English classroom activity:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/how-can-teachers-use-chat-up-lines-as-an-english-classroom-activity-s06e03/
Protecting learner privacy and confidentiality:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/how-can-tefl-teachers-protect-learner-privacy-and-confidentiality-s06e03/
Real and fake Business English buzzwords:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/can-english-learners-spot-real-and-fake-business-buzzwords-s06e03/
Handling cultural differences sensitively:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/how-can-tefl-teachers-handle-cultural-differences-sensitively-s06e03/
Keeping lessons simple and giving learners more control:
https://howtoenglishpod.wordpress.com/how-can-teachers-keep-lessons-simple-and-give-learners-more-control-s06e03/
🎧 SUPPORT AND MORE FROM GAV & EM
Visit https://howtoenglishpod.com for practical TEFL ideas and classroom resources.
If you find the show useful, you can support us at:
https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpod ☕
Reference:
English pick-up lines and activity inspiration:
https://www.theknot.com/content/pick-up-lines
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Welcome to the Letter C in TEFL
02:35 – C1 and C2 Exam Preparation Tips
09:40 – What Are CCQs and How Should Teachers Use Them?
14:05 – Cheesy English Chat-Up Lines as a Classroom Activity
18:37 – Confidentiality and Protecting Learners’ Privacy
25:07 – Real and Fake Business English Buzzwords
32:42 – Culture and Cultural Differences in TEFL
37:14 – Keep Teaching Simple and Give Learners More Control
#TEFL #EnglishTeaching #BusinessEnglish