What to Do When I Do Not Understand You on the First Try
Sometimes I may not understand what you mean right away. This does not mean your question is wrong or unclear. It simply means I need a little more information so I can follow your thinking and support you well. Learning through conversation is a process, and it is normal for us to adjust and try again.
If I miss your point on the first try, here are a few simple ways to help me understand you better.
You can tell me what you are trying to do.
For example:
- “I am trying to understand why this works.”
- “I am trying to explain the first step.”
- “I am trying to see the big picture.”
You can point out the part that feels confusing.
For example:
- “This is the section that does not make sense yet.”
- “I get the beginning, but not the middle.”
- “I understand everything except this part.”
You can show me what you already see.
For example:
- “Here is what I think so far.”
- “This is the part I understand clearly.”
- “I know these steps, but I do not know why they work.”
You can also rephrase your question in your own words. You do not need perfect language. Even a short sentence like “Let me say it a different way” can help me follow your path.
If you want to go even simpler, you can break your question into smaller pieces.
- “What should I look at first?”
- “Can we slow this down?”
- “Is there another way to think about this?”
Every time you clarify, you help me align with your thinking so we can keep the conversation moving. This back-and-forth is part of how dialogic learning works. It strengthens your understanding and helps me guide you more precisely.
You never need to feel frustrated or stuck if I do not understand you right away. Just give me another angle, another detail, or another attempt in your own words. I will adjust to you. Our conversation will find its direction and your understanding will grow from there.
