E10 G - Ask for clarification and more detail
aiMOOCE10 G - Ask for clarification and more detail
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E10 G - Ask for clarification and more detail
Mini description: Sometimes you understand the topic, but not every word or detail. Then you can keep the conversation going. You can ask for repetition, ask for a clearer explanation, check your understanding and paraphrase. The goal is not perfect English. The goal is clear communication.
Learning path: English first → understand → respond → analyse → communicate → feedback → revise → transfer.
Media task: Watch the video once without stopping. What is the main problem? Watch it again. Write down two questions Mary uses to get more information.
I can goals
After this aiMOOC, you can say:
- I can ask someone to repeat.
- I can ask what a word or idea means.
- I can ask for more detail.
- I can check if I understood correctly.
- I can paraphrase a simple message.
- I can write a short clarification email.
- I can react politely when communication is difficult.
You do not need to sound like a native speaker. Being understandable is more important than having a perfect accent.
What you already know
Think about a real English lesson, video or conversation.
- What do you already say when you do not understand?
- Do you ask again, stay silent or guess?
- Which is safer: guessing an important detail or asking one short question?
Quick start:
Teacher: “Please send me the final version by Thursday.”
You: “Sorry, could you say the day again, please?”
This is successful communication. You noticed a problem and solved it.
Core skill: Keep the conversation going
When you do not understand, you do not need a long sentence. A short clear question is often enough.
Step 1: Signal the problem.
“Sorry, I didn't catch that.”
Step 2: Ask for what you need.
“Could you say that again, please?”
Step 3: Check the meaning.
“So, do you mean Thursday afternoon?”
Step 4: Continue.
“Okay, thanks. I understand now.”
Ask for repetition
Use these phrases when you did not hear the words clearly.
- “Could you say that again, please?”
- “Sorry, I didn't catch that.”
- “Could you repeat the last part, please?”
These phrases are useful in class, on the phone, in a video call or during a presentation.
Tip: Ask for the part you need. This is easier than asking the other person to repeat everything.
Ask for meaning
Use these phrases when you heard the words but do not know what they mean.
- “What do you mean by ‘flexible’?”
- “What does ‘deadline’ mean here?”
- “Could you explain that in a simpler way?”
You do not need a full translation. Ask for the meaning in the situation.
Ask for more detail
Use these phrases when the message is too general.
- “Could you be more specific?”
- “Could you give me an example?”
- “What exactly do we need to include?”
- “When exactly is it due?”
Good clarification questions focus on missing information.
Check your understanding
Use a short paraphrase.
“Do you mean that we work in pairs?”
“So, we need two examples, right?”
“Let me check: the presentation is on Friday, not Thursday?”
This is called checking understanding. It helps you find mistakes before they become bigger problems.
Listening and viewing
First listen: understand the situation.
Do not try to write every word. Answer only:
- Who needs clarification?
- What information is missing?
- Does the speaker get the information in the end?
Second listen: notice useful language.
Listen for phrases about:
- the topic
- the length
- the format
- the deadline
Viewing task: Choose three phrases from the video that you understand. You do not need to use all of them yourself yet. First recognise them. Then practise one or two.
Reading
Read this short fictional dialogue.
Mia: Hi, Ben. The teacher said we need to prepare something for Monday.
Ben: Something? What exactly?
Mia: A short presentation about a local project.
Ben: Okay. Could you be more specific? How long should it be?
Mia: Around three minutes.
Ben: And do we work alone?
Mia: I think in pairs.
Ben: So, do you mean we need one three-minute presentation per pair?
Mia: Yes, exactly.
Reading check: Ben does not translate Mia's sentences. He asks for the missing details: task, length and group format.
Context vocabulary
| English | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| clarification | making something clearer | I need some clarification. |
| detail | a small important piece of information | What time exactly? |
| specific | exact and clear | Could you be more specific? |
| repeat | say something again | Could you repeat that? |
| mean | have a certain meaning | What do you mean by that? |
| paraphrase | say the same idea in different words | So, you mean we start at nine? |
| deadline | the last time for finishing something | When is the deadline? |
Vocabulary strategy: Learn phrases as useful chunks. Do not learn single words only.
Pronunciation and intelligibility
Speak clearly and at a normal speed.
Practise these chunks:
- “Could you SAY that aGAIN, please?”
- “What do you MEAN by that?”
- “Could you be more speCIfic?”
- “So, do you MEAN ...?”
The capital letters show the main stress. You do not need a perfect accent. Your listener needs to understand your question.
Private practice: You may record yourself for your own use. Recording is voluntary. Do not upload a recording unless you actively choose to do so and have permission.
Speaking
Work with a partner. Use fictional situations.
Situation A: School project
Student A gives incomplete information: “Make a presentation for next week.”
Student B asks about the topic, length, partner work and date.
Situation B: Part-time job
Student A says: “Please come a bit earlier tomorrow.”
Student B asks for the exact time and place.
Situation C: Club meeting
Student A explains a plan too quickly.
Student B asks for repetition and then paraphrases the plan.
Useful speaking frame:
“Sorry, I didn't catch ______.”
“Could you explain ______?”
“Do you mean ______?”
“Okay, thanks. Now I understand.”
Functional grammar
You need only a few patterns.
Could you + verb ...?
“Could you repeat that?”
“Could you explain that?”
What do you mean by + word or idea ...?
“What do you mean by ‘final version’?”
Do you mean + idea ...?
“Do you mean we meet at 8:30?”
Accuracy step: Start with one correct pattern. Add longer questions later.
Polite questions
“Could you ...?” is useful because it sounds polite and calm.
Compare:
“Repeat!”
“Could you repeat that, please?”
Both messages are understandable, but the second one is better for most school and work situations.
Simple paraphrasing
Paraphrasing means: keep the main idea, but use your own simple words.
Original: “Please submit the completed form by Friday at noon.”
Simple paraphrase: “So, the form must be finished and sent before Friday lunchtime?”
You do not need to copy every word. Keep the important information.
Paraphrase checklist:
- Same main meaning?
- Important detail included?
- Short and clear?
- Asked as a check if you are not sure?
Writing: a clarification email
Use a simple structure.
Subject: Question about the science presentation
Hello Ms Brown,
I have one question about the presentation. Could you please tell me how long it should be? Do we need to include pictures?
Thank you for your help.
Best wishes, Alex
Writing goal: clear subject, short reason, one or two precise questions, polite ending.
Do not add private data to a practice task. Use fictional names and situations.
Mediation
Mediation is not a full translation. You pass on the information another person needs.
German information: „Das Treffen beginnt um 14 Uhr im Raum 204. Jede Gruppe bringt ein Plakat mit. Wer später kommt, meldet sich vorher per E-Mail.“
Your English-speaking partner asks: “What do I need to know?”
A useful answer could be:
“The meeting starts at 2 p.m. in room 204. Each group needs one poster. If you are late, email before the meeting.”
Then your partner asks: “What do you mean by ‘before’?”
Explain the point in simple English. Do not translate every sentence word for word.
Help ladder
If a task is difficult, use the next level of help.
- Level 1: Use one sentence starter.
- Level 2: Choose from two useful questions.
- Level 3: Read a model dialogue.
- Level 4: Change only one detail in the model.
- Level 5: Try the situation without the model.
The goal is to use less help step by step.
Feedback and revision
After speaking or writing, check only a few important points.
Communication first:
- Did the other person understand what I needed?
- Did I ask about the missing detail?
- Did I check the answer?
Accuracy next:
- Did I use “Could you + verb” correctly?
- Did I use a question mark in writing?
- Did I keep the question short enough to say clearly?
Then revise one sentence. Do not rewrite everything.
Error analysis
Look at the problem, not only the mistake.
Example 1:
“Could you to repeat?”
Better: “Could you repeat?”
Reason: After “could”, use the base form.
Example 2:
“What you mean?”
Better: “What do you mean?”
Reason: In this present simple question, use “do”.
Example 3:
“I don't understand anything.”
Better for a specific problem: “Sorry, what does ‘schedule’ mean here?”
Reason: A specific question helps the other person give a useful answer.
Safe and responsible learning
Use fictional profiles, applications and personal details in practice tasks.
Audio or video recording is voluntary and should stay private unless you actively decide otherwise.
Do not upload classmates' recordings or personal data without permission.
Do not send your work to external AI tools automatically.
If you use AI-generated language, check the information and sources. Keep your own ideas and your own text visible. Use AI suggestions as help, not as a replacement for your work.
Avoid stereotypes about countries, accents or cultures. English is used by many different people in many different ways.
Transfer
Use clarification outside the English classroom.
You can use the same strategy in:
- project work
- work experience
- online meetings
- travel
- clubs
- technical instructions
The words may change, but the communication strategy stays similar:
notice → ask → check → continue
A conversation does not fail because you ask a question. Often, asking the right question repairs the conversation.
Can-do check
Choose: Yes, Almost or Not yet.
| I can ... | Yes | Almost | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| ask someone to repeat | □ | □ | □ |
| ask what a word means | □ | □ | □ |
| ask for a specific detail | □ | □ | □ |
| check my understanding with a paraphrase | □ | □ | □ |
| write a short clarification email | □ | □ | □ |
| repair a misunderstanding politely | □ | □ | □ |
If you choose “Almost” or “Not yet”, repeat one short speaking task. You do not need to repeat the whole course.
Follow-up course
Next step: E10 G - Confirm understanding and summarise
There you can practise short summaries, confirmation and giving back the key message.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
Which phrase asks someone to repeat? (Could you say that again, please?) (!What time is lunch?) (!I agree with you.) (!That is my notebook.)
Which phrase asks for the meaning of a word? (What do you mean by that?) (!When does the bus leave?) (!I finished the task.) (!That sounds great.)
Which question asks for more detail? (Could you be more specific?) (!Can I open the window?) (!Do you like music?) (!Where is my pen?)
Which sentence checks understanding? (So, do you mean we work in pairs?) (!I work in pairs every week.) (!Pairs are useful.) (!The room is large.)
What is a paraphrase? (The same main idea in different words) (!A full word-for-word translation) (!A list of new vocabulary) (!A louder pronunciation)
Which question is polite and useful in class? (Could you explain that in a simpler way?) (!Explain!) (!You are unclear.) (!I will ignore it.)
Which sentence uses could correctly? (Could you repeat the last part?) (!Could you to repeat the last part?) (!Could you repeated the last part?) (!Could you repeating the last part?)
What should you do first when you miss one detail? (Ask a focused clarification question) (!Guess the answer) (!Stop the conversation) (!Translate every word)
Which email question is clear and specific? (Could you tell me how long the presentation should be?) (!Tell me everything.) (!I do not know.) (!Presentation?)
What is the main goal of clarification? (To make communication clearer) (!To speak without any accent) (!To use very long sentences) (!To avoid all questions)
Memory
| Could you say that again, please? | ask for repetition |
| What do you mean by this word? | ask for meaning |
| Could you be more specific? | ask for details |
| So, do you mean we start at nine? | check understanding |
| Let me put it another way. | paraphrase |
| Could you give me an example? | request an example |
| When exactly is it due? | clarify a deadline |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| Could you repeat that, please? | repetition |
| What do you mean by flexible? | meaning |
| Could you give me an example? | more detail |
| So, do you mean Friday morning? | checking understanding |
| Let me say it in a simpler way. | paraphrasing |
Kreuzworträtsel
| repeat | What can you ask someone to do when you did not hear the words? |
| clarify | Which verb means to make an idea clearer? |
| detail | What is a small but important piece of information? |
| paraphrase | Which verb means to express the same main idea in different words? |
| example | What can make an explanation easier to understand? |
| deadline | What word means the final time for finishing a task? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Phrase card: Create a small card with four useful clarification phrases and one example for each.
- Mini dialogue: Write a six-line fictional dialogue in which one person asks for repetition.
- Listening notice: Watch one video from this aiMOOC and note three situations where a speaker needs more information.
- Pronunciation practice: Read three clarification questions aloud. A private recording is optional and must not be uploaded.
Standard
- Role play: Act out a fictional school or workplace situation with four missing details. The listener must ask for them.
- Clarification email: Write a short email with a clear subject and two precise questions.
- Paraphrase check: Write five short “So, do you mean ...?” questions for different situations.
- Error detective: Create five incorrect clarification questions, correct them and explain each correction in simple words.
Schwer
- Video plan: Plan a 60-second fictional scene showing a misunderstanding and how it is repaired. Recording is optional and private.
- Mediation challenge: Read a short German school notice and pass only the important information to an English-speaking fictional student. Add one clarification question.
- Clarification toolkit: Design a one-page toolkit for classmates with sections for repetition, meaning, detail and checking understanding.
- Transfer interview: Ask a classmate or teacher which clarification strategies help in group work. Do not record without permission. Summarise the answers without personal data.
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Lernkontrolle
- Analyse a misunderstanding: Explain why a short fictional conversation fails. Identify the missing clarification question and write a better version.
- Choose the right strategy: For four situations, decide whether the listener needs repetition, meaning, detail or confirmation. Explain your choice.
- Repair a message: Turn a vague instruction such as “Finish it soon” into a short dialogue that produces an exact task and deadline.
- Paraphrase and verify: Read a short instruction, paraphrase it and write one question that checks a key detail.
- Write for a real purpose: Write a fictional clarification email about a school project. Keep it short, polite and specific.
- Transfer to a new context: Show how the clarification strategy can help during work experience, a club activity or an online meeting.
Lernnachweis
For a successful learning record, show that you can:
- recognise different clarification needs
- choose a suitable clarification phrase
- ask a focused follow-up question
- paraphrase the main idea without changing the meaning
- use basic polite question patterns correctly
- write a short structured clarification email
- react to feedback and improve one version
- transfer the strategy to a new situation
The learning record does not require public audio or video. A written, spoken-in-class or private format can be used.
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