How To Teach Wh Questions To English Language Learners

Teaching WH questions to English language learners can be particularly challenging because sentence structure, word order, and other grammatical elements may differ from their native language. By mastering WH questions—such as who, what, where, when, why, and how—English language learners will be able to ask for information, engage in dialogues, and strengthen their understanding of English grammar and structure. In this guide, we will explain in detail how to teach WH questions, the order in which they should be taught, and cover some common errors you are likely to encounter when teaching WH questions to English language learners. First, let’s take a look at what WH questions are.

What Are WH Questions?

WH questions are questions that begin with one of the following question words: who, what, where, when, why, and how. These words are used to gather specific information, and they form the foundation of communication in English. WH questions are essential for engaging in meaningful conversations and understanding details in both spoken and written English.

• Who is used to ask about people:
  Example: Who is your best friend?
• What is used to inquire about things, actions, or ideas:
  Example: What is your favorite food?
• Where asks about places or locations:
  Example: Where do you live?
• When is used to ask about time or dates:
  Example: When is your birthday?
• Why seeks an explanation or reason:
  Example: Why are you happy?
• How asks about the manner, process, or condition:
  Example: How do you make bread?

Mastering these questions allows learners to ask and answer questions, gather necessary information, and contribute meaningfully to conversations. To see more practical examples of WH questions, check out these 200 WH Question Examples with Answers.

What Order to Teach WH Questions?

Teaching WH questions in a specific order can significantly improve English language learners’ (ELLs) understanding and their ability to use these questions effectively in conversation. While there’s no strict rule, following a logical progression can make the learning process easier and more intuitive for students. Here’s a commonly used order that many educators follow:

1. Start with “What”
   The question word “What” is versatile and often used in a variety of contexts. It’s the easiest one to begin with since students can use it to ask about things, actions, and ideas. Starting with “What” helps students become comfortable asking for basic information.
   • Example: What is your name?
2. Introduce “Where”
   After mastering “What,” the next step is usually to teach “Where,” as it focuses on asking about places or locations. This is a simple extension of the basic question form and is generally well-understood by learners early on.
   • Example: Where do you live?
3. Teach “Who”
   The next logical question word to introduce is “Who,” which asks about people. It’s a bit more abstract compared to “What” and “Where” but still relatively simple for students to grasp, particularly once they’re comfortable with the other question words.
   • Example: Who is your teacher?
4. Introduce “When”
   After “Who,” “When” is a good follow-up, as it deals with time or dates. Asking “When” helps students practice more complex sentence structures and introduces the concept of tenses in a real-world context.
   • Example: When is your birthday?
5. Teach “How”
   “How” is often a bit more complex because it can involve processes or conditions. By the time students reach “How,” they will have learned enough about sentence construction to understand and use it confidently in a range of situations.
   • Example: How do you make a sandwich?
6. Finish with “Why”
   “Why” questions are typically the most complex since they ask for explanations or reasons. Teaching “Why” last ensures that students are well-equipped to handle these types of questions and answers, which often require a deeper understanding of language.
   • Example: Why are you learning English?

Is the Order Strictly Necessary?

While the order suggested above works well for most learners, it’s not set in stone. The progression can be flexible depending on your learners’ needs, their background, and the context in which they’re learning. For example, some teachers might prefer to introduce “Who” or “How” earlier if the students are already comfortable with basic sentence structures.

However, teaching WH questions in a logical order allows learners to build their understanding incrementally. Starting with simple, foundational question words and progressing to more complex ones helps prevent confusion and supports smoother language development.

How to Teach WH Questions Step by Step

Teaching WH questions to English language learners involves a structured approach to help students understand both the question words and their grammatical applications. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Introduce the WH Question Words

Start by explaining each of the core WH question words: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Provide simple definitions and examples to ensure learners understand their meanings and uses. For example:

• Who asks about people: Who is your teacher?
• What asks about things or ideas: What is your favorite color?
• When asks about time or dates: When does the train arrive?
• Where asks about places: Where do you live?
• Why asks about reasons or explanations: Why are you late?
• How asks about methods, processes, or conditions: How do you cook pasta?

2. Explain the Sentence Structure

Next, introduce the basic structure of WH questions:

• WH word + auxiliary verb (do/does/did) + subject + main verb
  • What do you like?
  • Where did you go?

Make sure to explain how the structure changes for other tenses or situations as students progress in their learning. WH questions change slightly depending on the tense or auxiliary verb used. For example:

• Present Simple (use “do” or “does”):
  What do you eat for breakfast? / Where does she work?
• Past Simple (use “did”):
  What did you do yesterday? / Where did you go on vacation?
• Present Continuous (use “is/are” + verb-ing):
  What are you doing now? / Where is she going?
• Future Simple (use “will”):
  What will you do tomorrow? / When will they arrive?

3. Model Questions and Provide Context

Show examples of WH questions in context using simple dialogues, real-world scenarios, or classroom situations. This helps learners understand how to use WH questions naturally. For example:

• Show a picture of a dog and ask, What is the dog doing?
• Describe a classroom and ask, Where are the books?

This gives students a concrete context for asking and answering WH questions.

4. Practice Using Guided Activities

Once students are familiar with the basic structure, use role-playing or pair activities where they can practice asking and answering questions with a partner. Example activities could include:

• Asking about daily routines: When do you wake up?
• Asking about favorite things: What is your favorite food?

Guided activities help students begin to internalize the structure and usage in a conversational context.

5. Review Common Mistakes and Correct

It’s important to review common mistakes students might make, such as word order errors (e.g., What you do? instead of What do you do?) or confusion with auxiliary verbs. Provide corrective feedback as needed, guiding students back to the correct structure.

6. Reinforce Learning with Interactive Games

Interactive games, such as quizzes, flashcard drills, or group activities, help reinforce the WH question structure. These can be fun ways to keep students engaged while practicing new skills. Here are 13 fun Wh Question Games you can try in class.

7. Encourage Independent Practice

To solidify their understanding, encourage independent practice. You could give students Wh Question Worksheets where they complete sentences or create their own WH questions. This practice helps them feel confident in their ability to ask and answer questions.

By following these steps, you can guide your students through the process of learning how to form and use WH questions correctly and confidently.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When teaching WH questions, English language learners may make several common mistakes. Understanding these errors and how to address them is crucial to helping students succeed. Here are some of the most frequent issues:

Incorrect word order

One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong word order for WH questions. In English, WH questions generally follow the structure: WH-word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb. However, learners sometimes omit the auxiliary verb or place it incorrectly, especially if their native language has a different sentence structure.

Mistake: What you are doing? Correct: What are you doing?

Tip: Remind students that they need to invert the subject and auxiliary verb after the WH-word. Practice with various examples to help them get comfortable with the structure.

Using the wrong auxiliary verb

English uses auxiliary verbs like do, does, did, and is/are/was/were in WH questions, depending on the tense. However, learners sometimes use the wrong auxiliary verb or forget to use one altogether.

Mistake: Where you live? Correct: Where do you live?

Tip: Teach the specific auxiliary verbs used in different tenses and reinforce their importance through practice questions. Ensure students know when to use do, does, did, and is/are/was/were.

Omitting the subject

Sometimes learners forget to include the subject of the question, particularly in informal or spoken English, where it’s common to omit words. However, in formal written or spoken English, the subject should always be included in WH questions.

Tip: Stress the importance of a complete sentence structure and offer plenty of opportunities for practice.

Confusing similar WH-words

Some learners may confuse similar WH-words, especially when asking about time, people, and things. For example, where and when can sometimes be used interchangeably, leading to confusion.

Tip: Clarify the specific meanings of each WH-word and encourage students to practice by using them in different contexts. Help them understand when to use each word to gather specific types of information.

Overusing what

In English, what is commonly used to ask about things, but it’s also often used for more general questions. Learners may overuse what instead of asking more precise questions with other WH-words like who or where.

Mistake: What is your best friend? Correct: Who is your best friend?

Tip: Teach students to ask specific questions based on the context and subject. Encourage them to ask who for people, where for locations, and when for time-related questions.

Teaching Tips and Best Practices

Teaching WH questions effectively requires a combination of clear explanations, practice, and plenty of interactive activities. Here are some tips and best practices to make the process easier and more engaging for both you and your students:

Start with Simple Questions

Begin by teaching the most common WH questions like What, Where, and Who. These are the easiest for beginners and provide a strong foundation. As learners gain confidence, you can gradually introduce more complex questions using When, Why, and How.

Tip: Use visual aids, like flashcards or pictures, to demonstrate the meaning of different WH questions. For example, show a picture of a person and ask, “Who is this?” This helps students understand the context of each question word.

Focus on the Structure

Make sure to emphasize the sentence structure of WH questions: WH-word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb. This helps students understand how the question is formed, especially when they are transitioning from their native language, where the word order might differ.

Tip: Practice using drills with the students, focusing on the correct word order. For example, write scrambled questions on the board and ask students to reorder the words to form correct WH questions.

Incorporate Games and Activities

Learning is more fun and effective when it’s interactive. Use games and activities like quizzes, board games, or pair work to keep students engaged and encourage active participation. Games can be a great way to review WH questions in a low-pressure environment.

Tip: Create a “WH question bingo” or a “wh-questions scavenger hunt” to practice questions in context. These activities can be tailored to any level and can be used both in-person and online.

Provide Context Through Real-Life Situations

Help students understand the practical applications of WH questions by using real-life examples. Encourage them to ask questions about everyday topics like their routines, family, or hobbies. This will make learning feel more relevant and meaningful.

Tip: Have students practice asking each other WH questions in pairs or small groups. For example, one student can ask, “Where do you live?” and the other answers. This gives students real conversational practice.

Be Patient and Provide Lots of Practice

For some learners, it might take time to get used to the structure of WH questions, especially if their first language doesn’t follow a similar pattern. Be patient, provide plenty of practice, and correct mistakes gently. Repetition and consistency are key to mastering this skill.

Tip: Incorporate WH questions into everyday conversations or classroom routines. For example, ask students to respond to daily check-in questions like “What is the weather like today?” or “When is your birthday?”

Use Authentic Listening and Speaking Activities

Expose students to real-world English by using videos, songs, or listening exercises that contain WH questions. This can help students see how these questions are used in different contexts and improve their listening comprehension.

Tip: Use short clips from movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos where WH questions are used. Pause the video and ask students to identify the questions being asked, which will help them connect the structure with authentic usage.

Correct Errors with Positive Reinforcement

Correcting errors is important, but make sure to do so in a positive, encouraging way. Offer praise for correct answers and gently guide students to the correct structure when they make mistakes.

Tip: Instead of simply saying “That’s wrong,” try rephrasing their question correctly and asking them to repeat it. For example, if a student says, “Where you go?” you can respond with, “Good try! The correct way to ask is, ‘Where do you go?’ Let’s say it together.”

Resources For Teaching WH Questions

Thanks for reading! I hope you found this guide to teaching WH Questions useful. Before you go, check out these free resources for teaching WH questions:

Wh Questions Worksheets
Wh Questions PowerPoint
List Of Wh Questions With Examples
Wh Question Games and Activities