Giving Directions
Lesson Plan- Giving Directions
Not everyone knows where they are going and may need help with directions from time to time. Directions may be needed to get to a near by town, or directions to the newest mall in town or directions to the nearest rest room in a large building. Where ever you are going the expression below can be used when asking for directions.
English Expressions- Giving Directions
Expression: Could you tell me how to get to ( …the library)?
Response: Go to the next light and turn right. Go two blocks, it’s on the left.
Expression: How do I find ( … city hall)?
Response: Just go straight, it’s on this street, on the right, about a mile and a half.
Expression: Which way do I go to get to ( … the post office)?
Response: Drive to Jackson Street and turn right. The post office is in the middle of the block, across from the park.
Expression: Pardon me, I’m lost, how do I get to the ( … museum)?
Response: Go to the second light and turn left. Then go the third stop sign. The museum is on that corner.
Expression: Could you direct me to ( … I-10)?
Response: Take Pinal Avenue north about 8 miles You’ll run into it.
Expression: Which is the best route to ( …the stadium)?
Response: Take Washington Street north to the Papago freeway and Head west. You can’t miss it.
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.
Prepositions of location most commonly used when giving directions:
go straight go to…. turn right turn left
cross on your right on your left beside
next to behind across from in front of
caddy corner
on the corner of (to be very specific NE, SE, NW, SW corners)
Dialogue- Giving Directions
Wally: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the city hospital?
Sally: Sure, the hospital is on Tenth Street, about 20 minutes away by
foot. Go south on this street two blocks until you come to the stop light.
Wally: Go south two blocks to the stop light.
Sally: Correct, then, turn left and go three more blocks, until you come to
the end of the road. A park will be in front of you.
Wally: Turn left and go for three blocks to the park.
Sally: Right, then turn right again and go seven blocks, to Lipton Avenue.
Wally: Turn right and go seven blocks to Lipton Avenue.
Sally: Next, turn left on Lipton Avenue and go two blocks. The hospital is
on your left, across from the baseball stadium.
Wally: OK, let me see if I’ve got this straight. Go south on this street for
two blocks to the stop light. Turn left at the light and go three blocks to
the park. Turn right at the park and go seven blocks to Lipton Avenue.
At Lipton Avenue turn right and…
Sally: No, turn left on Lipton Avenue.
Wally: OK, turn left on Lipton Avenue, the hospital is two blocks down,
on my left.
Sally: You got it.
Wally: Thanks.
Conversation Activities- Giving Directions
1. Pair work- discussion
Have you given directions to anyone lately? Tell your partner about it using
some of the ideas for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions
to get more information.
who did you give directions to
where did you give directions to
how often do you give directions
have you ever not known the directions to a place asked about
2. Pair work- discussionWork with a partner and ask for and give directions
to the following places in town.
Decide between you on a starting point. Use some of the expressions for
asking directions and the prepositions of location listed above.
Movie theater Bus station
City Hall Park
Hospital Bus station
Other Links
Phrases when Giving Directions
