Personalized Questions and Answers, commonly known as PQA, is a wonderful teaching technique that helps language learners engage with the target language in a meaningful way. Unlike special person interviews (la persona especial), PQA doesn’t rely on having a special or willing student. Instead, it allows teachers to ask useful questions to the whole class or small groups, making it accessible for all proficiency levels, from novice levels to advanced students.
Let’s explore what PQA is, where it originated, and why it’s a great way for a Spanish teacher to create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment.
What is PQA?
PQA is a great student-centered activity where teachers ask students simple Spanish questions that connect to their personal lives. These questions use basic vocabulary and target structures to encourage simple answers. For example, a teacher might ask: “¿Te gusta más la pizza o la pasta?” (Do you like pizza or pasta more?) or “¿Es importante pasar tiempo con familia para ti?” (Is it important to spend time with family for you?).
Rather than focusing on hypothetical questions, PQA invites students to share personal information in a conversational classroom setting. It’s perfect for creating class discussions around topics like family vocabulary, hobbies, or even Spanish-speaking countries.
A typical session involves:
- Starting with a first question that’s easy to answer.
- Using Spanish question words like quién, qué, or dónde to expand the conversation.
- Asking individual students or the group follow-up questions to dig a little bit deeper.
By using answer stems or sentence starters and visual aids like images, students can participate confidently in a low-stress environment.
Where Did PQA Originate?
PQA stems from the Comprehensible Input (CI) approach to teaching, based on Dr. Stephen Krashen’s theories of second language acquisition. CI teachers have incorporated PQA into their methodologies to provide students with real-life opportunities to practice language.
PQA has become one of the best methods for world language teachers because it creates meaningful interactions with the language in every classroom setting, from middle school to high school.
Why is PQA a Good Way to Teach World Languages?
PQA is a perfect way to help students learn a new language for many reasons:
1. Engagement Through Personalization
Students are more likely to engage when asked about their lives. Whether it’s discussing family vocabulary or a more difficult topic, personal questions hold their attention.
2. Builds Confidence in Speaking
By starting with simple Spanish questions and providing sentence starters, students at all proficiency levels can participate, even if it’s their first time speaking Spanish.
3. Supports Vocabulary Retention
Students internalize new vocabulary better when using it to discuss real-life topics. This is especially true for frequently used words like Spanish question words and Spanish words for everyday items.
4. Fosters Classroom Community
PQA helps students connect by learning about each other’s lives, whether through small groups or class-wide discussions. These interactions help create a supportive classroom environment.
5. Scalable Across Proficiency Levels
From younger students classes to older and more advanced students, PQA is one of the best things teachers can use to promote growth at any level.
Sample PQA
Teacher: Who eats vegetables? – ¿Quién come verduras/vegetales?
*Students raise hands* *Call on Brittany*
Teacher: Brittany, you eat vegetables?
Brittany: I eat. – Sí, yo como.
Teacher: Class, Brittany eats vegetables. Yes or no? – Clase, ¿Brittany come vegetales? ¿Sí o no?
Class: Yes. She eats. – Sí. Come. / Sí. / Sí, Ella come.
Teacher: Who doesn’t eats vegetables? – ¿Quién no come verduras/vegetales?
How to Incorporate PQA Into Lesson Plans
Here are some tips for using PQA effectively in your Spanish classes:
- Begin with questions that focus on basic vocabulary and target structures to build confidence. Questions can be related to a story or topic that you’ve been working on recently. For example, “¿Eres ansioso como ____? (Are you anxious like _______?)
- Use visuals. Incorporate interactive whiteboards or question cards to provide context and support.
- Plan for extra time. Allow flexibility in your schedule to accommodate student engagement and follow-up.
- Mix it up. Use PQA alongside other CI strategies like storytelling, map talk, or independent work for variety.
PQA is one of the best methods to make language learning personal, interactive, and effective. It works well across Spanish classes, whether your students are Spanish speakers or English speakers learning for the first time. If you’re looking for a good way to support language learners and foster meaningful interaction, PQA is a great choice to differentiate and build relationships.
Ready to try PQA? Incorporate it into your lesson plans and watch your students thrive in the school year ahead! Want no prep presentations for PQA to use with students? Check them out here!
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- What is PQA? Persnoalized Questions and Answers
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The conversation can go in so many different directions. You can expand and ask specific students if they eat certain vegetables. It really depends on the target vocabulary you’re trying to provide with input.
Do you want to read more about PQAs? Check out these blog posts.
- Personalized Questions and Answers (PQA) – The Comprehensible Classroom
- Introduction to PQA – Teaching Comprehensibly
Want to see it in action? Check out this video!
PQA with Spanish 1B Students – Alina Filipescu
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