I wholeheartedly agree with all of this. I often hear teachers being told to ask ‘what did you understand’ as opposed to ‘did you understand’, but it amazes me how few teachers actually implement this. I think teachers sometimes miss the point of teaching because they’re too stressed to think beyond their immediate plan into how to make a better learning (and listening) environment. This isn’t a criticism of teachers, more of the education system as a whole. Teachers are so overworked (at least in the UK and Japan, I can’t speak for other countries) that many don’t have time – and are slowly forgetting – to see the classroom from the student’s perspective. But I think your article explained it very well and hopefully it inspires change!