Closed & Open-Ended Questions
INTERMEDIATECOMMUNICATION QUESTIONSSPEAKING
Do you ever wonder why some people are better at having English conversations than others?
Do you ever wonder why some people can easily connect and build global relationships while you seem to have a hard time?
Do you wonder what you should say or do when speaking to others in English?
Do your conversations ever sound like this?
Hyun: Are you looking to expand your business overseas?
Noah: Yes!
Hyun: Uh, uh, hmm.
....
Hyun's question is a decent start, but it may be challenging to keep the conversation going. Would you agree?
If you think you sound like Hyun, have no fear!
I can help you open up your conversation by using open-ended questions!
Many of my students also had difficulty speaking English when I first met them.
Why?
Because many of them only use closed-ended questions in their conversations.
Therefore, conversations can become awkward.
And no one taught them how to ask interesting open-ended questions.
Do you know the differences between closed-ended and open-ended questions?
Do you know when to use a closed-ended question?
Do you know when to use an open-ended question?
Unfortunately, many of my students only use closed-ended questions in their English communication. Therefore, they get stuck in their English conversations.
Please keep reading to learn more about closed-ended and open-ended questions.
November 25, 2022
Closed-ended & Open-ended Questions
What are closed-ended questions?
Closed-ended questions can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
Closed-ended questions can be answered with a few simple choices.
What are open-ended questions?
Open-ended questions are questions that allow someone to give a free-form answer.
Open-ended questions cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and require the respondent to elaborate on their situation.
What are the differences between closed-ended & open-ended questions?
When would you use closed-ended questions?
Use closed-ended questions when you have limited time.
For example,
In the elevator.
During a short break.
When standing in a short line.
When would you use open-ended questions?
Use open-ended questions when engaging in a longer conversation.
For example,
At a networking event.
During a long break.
When standing in a long line.
When eating with someone.
When would you use closed-ended & open-ended questions?
Open-ended questions:
To build trust.
To get to know someone.
To keep the conversation going.
Why use open-ended questions?
Topic: Expanding your business overseas
Examples of closed-ended questions:
Are you ...
Are you looking to expand your business overseas?
Are you facing any challenges expanding your business overseas?
Will you ...
Will you expand your business overseas?
Will our solution help you expand your business overseas?
Do you ...
Do you think you will expand your business overseas?
Do you think our solution can help you expand your business overseas?
Would you ...
Would you like to expand your business overseas?
Would our solution help you expand your business overseas?
When would you ...
When would you expand your business overseas?
When will you be ready to expand your business overseas?
Examples of open-ended questions:
What ...
What challenges are you facing in expanding your business overseas?
What is your next step?
How ...
How can our solution help you expand your business overseas?
How can we help you?
Why ...
Why are you looking to expand your business overseas?
Why are we the best solution for you?
Please ...
Please elaborate more on expanding your business overseas.
Please tell me more.
Expanding your business overseas
11/30/2022
Closed-ended question:
Hyun: *Are you looking to expand your business overseas?
Noah: Yes!
*Because of the closed-ended question, the conversation could be hard to continue.
**If you use a closed-ended question, the best solution is to follow up with the expression, "Please tell me more!"
....
— Instead, Try Using An Open-Ended Question! —
Open-ended question:
Hyun: *Why are you looking to expand your business overseas?
Noah: That's a great question. Unfortunately, the local market is heavily saturated. Therefore, our best option at this point is to expand overseas.
*With the open-ended question, Noah can give a free-form answer and elaborate on his situation.
....
Was it fun?
11/25/2022
Closed-ended question:
Seung: How was your weekend?
Andre: Great! I took my daughter to a baseball game.
Seung: *Was it fun?
Andre: Yes.
*Because of the closed-ended question, it may be challenging to keep the conversation going.
....
— Instead, Try Using An Open-Ended Question! —
Open-ended question:
Seung: How was your weekend?
Andre: Great! I took my daughter to a baseball game.
Seung: *How was it?
Andre: It was so much fun. My daughter and I went to the Twins game on Sunday afternoon and had a great time. The weather was beautiful, and the Twins won!
Seung: Wow! It sounds like you and your daughter had a great time.
Andre: We sure did!
*A simple 'How' question can keep a conversation going.
*With the open-ended question, Andre can give a free-form answer and elaborate on his weekend.
....
