Asking for/Giving Directions
Lesson Plans
Activities WorkSheets
As happens in strange and new places, people get disoriented and may need help finding their
way, so guests may frequently ask you for directions. They may ask directions to a restaurant
in the hotel complex, the nearest restroom, or a nearby historical site. There are a multitude
of expressions that are used when asking for and giving directions. Look at the examples below.
Expressions- Directions
Asking for directions
Could you tell me how to get to (… the pool)?
How do I find (…StarBucks Coffee Shop)?
Pardon me, I’m lost, how do I get to the (…the main lobby)?
Which is the best route to (…Phuket Town)?
Could you direct me to (…the beach)?
Which way do I go to get to (…the hospital)?
Giving directions
Take this passageway Go up/down the steps
On your right/left Turn right/left
Take the elevator It’s on the third floor
Follow this path Turn right/left at the corridor
It’s about 50 meters Go above 3 kilometers
Cross the street It’s on your right/left
It’s in the middle of the block It’s on the corner
Drive south on 4233
It’s next to/ across from/between/in front of
Drive to Jackson street and turn left/right
Prepositions of location used when giving directions
go straight go to right left
cross on your right on your left beside
next to behind across from in front of
on the corner of (to be very specific NE, SE, NW, SW corners)
Point to Remember (suggestions for giving directions)
Giving street directions is really very easy when you remember to follow these points.
When giving directions you are actually giving two sets of instructions.
In the first set- “Go To” – you are telling the listener what street to go to or how far to go.
In the second set- “Then”- you are telling the listener what to do when they get there.
(turn right/left, go straight, on the left, etc.)
Giving even very complicated directions is just a repetition of these two basic steps. Another good idea is to use easily identifiable landmarks; instead of the amount of time to get someplace (time is relative, after all). Easily identifiable landmarks are street lights, stop signs, parks, tall building standing alone, etc.
Additional Vocabulary
sidewalk footpath no through way (road)
pedestrian main road street
avenue boulevard round about
dead end cul de sac pavement
Land marks
art gallery bridge castle temple
cathedral cinema zoo department store
museum opera post office police station
fire station railway bus station train station
traffic light stop light stop sign T-junction
Dialogue- Directions
Guest: Could you tell me how to get to the Spa?
Staff: Take this passage-way and go down the steps on your right. At the bottom of the steps
there is a wooden bridge. Go over the bridge and turn right. Follow the path until you
get to the Spa. It’s about 40 meters from the bridge.
Guest: How do I find the Thai Thai restaurant?
Staff: Just follow the pathway to the left of the reception desk in the Andaman lobby. The
walk-way will take you directly to the Thai Thai Restaurant.
Guest: Which way do I go to get to the beach?
Staff: From the Bell Desk in the Andaman Lobby, turn left and follow the path on the right and
go past the pond and up the steps. From there, walk straight across the beach road,
the beach will be right in front of you.
Guest: Pardon me, I’m lost, how do I get to the gym?
Staff: From the main lobby, walk away from the beach and take the first staircase on
your right down. The staircase is next to the portrait center. The gym is on your
right at the bottom of the stairs.
Guest: Which is the best route to the Phuket City?
Staff: Get on the road to Patong and drive north on the 4233. At the end of the beach road in
Patong, turn right on the 4029 and drive east. Take the 4029 about 4 kilometers and turn
right on the 4020. That road will take you into Phuket city.
