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When we don't understanding someone, listeners tend to respond with phrases like "What?", "Can you say that again?", or "I'm sorry, I didn't understand you." This often prompts the student to repeat the phrase again in the same way without understanding why the attempt failed in the first place. Reply in a way that provides the student with a strategy for how to improve the communication attempt. Use a phrase like "Say that again using different words" or "Say that again slower" to prompt the student to use synonyms, descriptors, or a slower rate. Pair a hand gesture, like twirling fingers when prompting the use of alternate words or lowering a palm to indicate slowing down, to provide a visual cue

SLP Judith Bergman discusses strategies for how to address communication breakdowns with repair strategies. This is relatively specific to foreign language speakers but could be applied to any communication breakdown.