Lesson 2: Open & Close + SE

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

Last time

Making good interview questions

CROC

• Clear
• Relevant
• One Dimensional
• Concise

What do you know about closed and open questions?

Today's menu

• Open & Closed questions
• Simplified English (if time)
• Interview
• Goals check

At the end of this lesson

•  You'll be able to use open and closed questions to ask your client what they need for a manual
• You'll be able to simplify your language to make your questions understandable (SE) (if time)

What are closed questions?

• Questions that can be answered with ''yes'' and ''no''
• Or a limited set of possible answers (such as A, B, C, D)

1. You like smiling, right?!
2. Do you like smiling?

Which question is a closed question?

1. Question 1
2. Question 2
3. Both

Why are both considered closed questions?

1. You like smiling, right?!
2. Do you like smiling?

• What would be an open question in this context?

What are closed questions good for?

For example, surveys:

• Higher response rate
• User type friendly
• Statistical analysis

What are open questions?

• Questions that allow free-form answering
• Which then allow answers based on complete knowledge, feeling, and understanding (personalized answers).

Why are open questions important?

• Allows you to find more than you expect
• People may share information and/or mention things you knew nothing about
• Requires a person to pause, think, and reflect.
• Among others, used for interviews because it allows free-form answers.

1. Smiling is your favorite facial expression, right?
2. What is your favorite facial expression?

Which one is an open question?

1. 1
2. 2

Why is question 2 an open question and not a closed question?

1. Smiling is your favorite facial expression, right?

2. What is your favorite facial expression?

Practice

how to ask open questions

• Open questions begin with the following words: 
  

Why, how, what, describe, tell me about..., or what do you think about...

• Open questions cannot be answered with ''yes'' or ''no''

• Open questions can result in loooong answers, so be specific and concise to keep it brief.
• Open questions allow free-form answers (answers whatever they want)

Individually and on your screen, translate the following closed questions to open questions:

1. How happy are you with the result?
2. Is having a good salary important to you?
3. You mentioned that you wanted pictures, will 2 pictures be enough?

Done? Think of a closed question that you can make open! Need help? Click on 'extra explanation'.

Possible answers:

• 1. How happy are you with the result?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with this process?

2. Is having a good salary important to you?

• What other issues are important to you?
  

3. You mentioned that you wanted pictures, will 2 pictures be enough?

• You mentioned that you wanted pictures, how many would you like there to be? / could you describe what you have in mind?

Simplified English

Simplified English (SE)

• A collection of words and writing rules specifically made to help write instructions (and manuals) so that any individual (in the world) can clearly read the manual with ease.

• It is especially helpful for those whose native language isn’t English.

Benefits of Simplified English

• It has many benefits such as saving time when reading hard texts, improves comprehension, reduces frustration, etc. 

• The main point of SE is decreasing misunderstandings (for non-natives, but also for someone who doesn't know jargon).

How to simplify English?

Ideally using your own knowledge, but...

Rewordify.com also helps...

(there are other engines)

Practice Simplified English

In word or a notepad, make the sentences below simple.

1. Before acceptance of unit, carry out the specified test procedure.

2. Guarantee the installation of the pins before assembly, in order to minimize the chance of any accidents. 

Need help? Rewordify.com / Scan the QR-code

Done? Can you make it more simple?

Possible answers

1. Before acceptance of unit, carry out the specified test procedure.

•  Before you accept the unit, you must do the specified test procedure

2. Guarantee the installation of the pins before assembly, in order to minimize the chance of any accidents. 

• Make sure that the pins are installed before installation, to prevent accidents. 

Interview

You have 3 minutes to check in pairs (2/3) whether your prepared interview questions are open or closed 

Closed? Make them open!

Help each other out and if you're done early, check your grammar, spelling & pronunciation.

Ask your questions

We'll spend 10 minutes for the interview (questions) so that you can get answers for the manual, fire away!

Further questions

Was everyone able to get their questions answered?

If not, send your questions via the Teams chat 

(Teams > GO1E-EXI1 > English > chat )

Goal check

What have you learned today?

 

Goal check

Goal 1:

You'll be able to use open and closed questions to ask your client what they need for a manual.

• Ask me an open and a closed question!

 

Goal check

Goal 2:

You'll be able to use your language to get better answers (SE)

Simplify the following:

• Be certain of the fact that you delete all personal files before returning the laptop.

 

Next time

Having a conversation 

Homework:

Let me know what subject you've chosen before next class.

PM me via MS Teams 

Intro 3+1,5+0,5+0,5        6

closed questions: 0,5+1+3+1     6

open questions: 1+1+1+3+2+5+2       15

part 2 SE: 1,5+1,5+0,5+5+1       9

Interview 4+10          14

goals check             5