What is PQA in World Language?
PQA stands for personalized questions and answers. Teachers ask students questions in the target language about themselves. The questions asked are used to have a class discussion using their answers in the target language.
How do I use PQA in my World Language Classroom?
- Pick a topic
- Ask a series of questions about the topic
How do I get the most out of this activity?
Using personalized question and response is a great way to show students that you care about things they care about. Personalized question and answers is perfect for relationship building.
Relationship building is a crucial part to any classroom environment. I think it’s especially important in World Language Classes because listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a different language is out of the comfort zone of some many students.
Additionally, using PQA is an opportunity to provide students with more input in the target language. It’s an opportunity to find out more about you students and let them express that in the target language.
When should I PQA?
ANYTIME! You can use a PQA at any time because all you’re doing is asking students a question in the target language about themselves and leading a discussion (long or short) about that question.
- Before/During/After a story
- Before/During/After a Clip Chat
- During Weekend Chat
- After Special Person Interviews
Tips:
- Supports students with verb form displayed
- Accept student answers and roll with it
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?
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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