Understanding the Question

• Listen actively to the speaker and gather key information. This will form the basis of your questions.

• Comprehend the topic in its entirety. You should have a clear understanding to enable better engagement through questioning.

• Recognise the context of the discussion. Determine what is appropriate and relevant before asking questions.

Questioning Techniques

• Be familiar with open and closed questions. Use open questions to create discussion, while closed questions can confirm facts or end discussions.

• Practice information checking. Try to confirm if your understanding is correct through indirect questioning.

• Understand the importance of probing questions. These are follow-up questions designed to explore the topic in more detail.

• Try leading questions sparingly. These are useful for guiding a conversation, but can also appear biased if overused.

Etiquette of Questioning

• Be polite and respectful when asking questions. Interruptions should be avoided.

• Maintain eye contact with the speaker. This can show engagement and interest.

• Use relevant body language and facial expressions that suit the conversation. This demonstrates active listening.

• Allow time for the speaker to answer. Be patient and give the speaker adequate room to express their perspective.

Checking Understanding

• After a response, seek clarification if there is anything you do not understand.

• Comment on what was said. Paraphrase your understanding of the speaker's points to confirm comprehension.

• Summarise regularly. This helps check your understanding and also shows you are actively following the conversation.

Feedback and Reflection

• Seek feedback regarding your questioning skills. This can be from teachers, classmates, or family members.

• Reflect on your conversation. Think about how your questions contributed to the understanding of the topic.

• Regularly review and practice where you can enhance your questioning technique. Practice makes perfect in developing relevant questioning skills.