Speaking: Interactive Communication A2 - Lesson 3
Function: Checking Understanding (e.g., "Do you understand?")
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use simple phrases to check if your listener understands you, and to confirm that you understand them.
Conversation Scenario: Giving Directions
When you give important information like directions, it's polite to check if the other person is following you. This shows you are a helpful and careful speaker.
Tourist: Excuse me, how do I get to Pub Street?
You: Oh, sure. First, you go straight down this road for about one kilometer. Do you understand?1
Tourist: Yes, go straight for one kilometer. Got it.3
You: Then, you turn left at the big, white pagoda. Does that make sense?2
Tourist: Turn left at the pagoda. Yes, I get it.4 Thank you!
You: No problem.
Your Interaction Toolkit
Function: Checking If Someone Understands
- Do you understand? (Question) | តើអ្នកយល់ទេ? | A direct way to ask if someone is following you. ↩
- Does that make sense? (Question) | តើវាសមហេតុផលទេ? | A very common, soft, and polite way to check understanding. ↩
- Do you know what I mean? (Question) | តើអ្នកដឹងពីអ្វីដែលខ្ញុំចង់មានន័យទេ? | Used to check if someone understands your idea or feeling.
- ...right? / ...okay? (Tag Question) | ...មែនទេ? | An informal way to check understanding at the end of a sentence.
Function: Confirming You Understand
- Got it. (Phrase) | ខ្ញុំយល់ហើយ | An informal, common way to say "I understand." ↩
- I get it. / I understand. (Phrase) | ខ្ញុំយល់ហើយ | Standard and clear ways to confirm you understand. ↩
Function: Saying You Don't Understand
- I'm a bit lost. (Phrase) | ខ្ញុំវង្វេងបន្តិចហើយ | A polite way to say you are confused by the information. ↩
Pronunciation: Intonation of Checking Questions
To sound helpful and polite (not like you are giving a test!), your voice must go UP at the end of a checking question.
- Listen to the rising intonation: "Do you understand? ↗"
- Listen again: "Does that make sense? ↗"
This rising tone makes the question feel supportive and encourages the listener to ask for help if they need it.
Why and When to Check Understanding
Why should you check? It's not because you think the listener is unintelligent. It's because you want to be a clear and helpful speaker. It shows you care about the listener.
When should you check?
- After giving important instructions or directions.
- After explaining a new or difficult idea.
- When you see a confused look on the listener's face.
Practice Checking Understanding
Activity 1: What's the Best Phrase?
For each situation, choose the best phrase to say.
- You explain a new board game rule to your friends. You finish and want to see if they understand. You say: _______
(Best answer: "Does that make sense?") - Your teacher explains a grammar point. You understand it completely. The teacher asks, "Do you understand?". You say: _______
(Best answer: "Yes, I get it.") - Your friend gives you long, confusing directions to their house. You are confused after the second step. You say: _______
(Best answer: "I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost.5 Could you explain the second part again?")
Activity 2: Role-Play: Giving Instructions
Work with a partner. Student A, explain how to make your favorite simple food (like instant noodles or a fried egg). After each step, you must use a checking question ("Okay?", "Does that make sense?"). Student B must respond by confirming they understand ("Got it," "I see"). Then, switch roles.
Your Communication Mission
This week in Siem Reap, your mission is to be a very clear communicator.
The next time you explain something to a friend in English, even something very simple, practice using a checking question at the end. Just say, "Does that make sense?". It is a great habit for a fluent and considerate speaker.