Effective strategies to help students explain what they don’t understand include using specific examples, asking clarifying questions, and describing where they got stuck. Encouraging students to pinpoint the exact step, word, or concept that caused confusion helps teachers or tutors address the root of the problem more quickly. For instance, students can try to explain the part they do understand and then clearly state where things begin to get confusing. This could involve saying, 'I understood everything up until step three, but after that, I’m not sure why we added those numbers,' or 'The word 'photosynthesis' confuses me—can you explain what it means?'
Practicing self-reflection is another helpful approach. Students might pause to think about what information is missing, what instructions weren’t clear, or what part of the lesson seemed different from what they expected. Writing down thoughts in a homework journal or making note of confusing areas during class can also help students remember specific questions to ask later.
Encouraging students to use their own words, instead of repeating what is in the textbook or worksheet, often makes their confusion clearer to both themselves and their instructor. If students still can’t explain exactly what they don’t understand, prompting them with questions like, 'Can you show me where you got stuck?' or 'What did you expect to happen next?' can guide them to be more specific.
Teaching students to feel comfortable admitting confusion, without fear of judgment, is crucial. It helps create a supportive environment where they feel safe to ask questions and express frustration. By learning to describe their confusion honestly and specifically, students are more likely to get the help they need—and build confidence in speaking up when they need support in the future.
