Do not confuse the ability to repeat instructions with the ability to use them.

Fluent repetition looks like understanding and is often only retention. A person can say the steps back perfectly and then stall the first time the situation varies slightly from the script, because knowing the words and knowing what they are for are two separate achievements that arrive at different times.

When you teach something this week, skip the question of whether it makes sense. Hand over a small altered case and watch what happens. Where they hesitate is where the real explaining still has to be done.