2. GRAMMAR
GIVING DIRECTIONS: A COLLECTION OF RESOURCES FOR
TEACHING HOW TO ASK AND GIVE DIRECTIONS FOR ESL
STUDENTS BY CHRIS GUN
This is not so much a lesson plan but is instead a collection of
resources that can be used to teach how to give and ask for
directions. In this section I've identified three common ways to
give directions based on different situations. When I have some
time, I'll add a fourth.
Part I: Street Name and Nearby Landmark
Perhaps, the easiest way to give directions is just to say what
street it is on. Granted, it's not so easy in countries like Korea
where there are no street names, but even there it can be
modified to fit. For countries that don't use street names you
can give an area and a landmark.
3. Language Points
It's on Pine Street.
It's on 4th Avenue.
It's on the corner of Fourth and Pine.
It's next to the bank.
It's across from the school.
It's opposite the bookstore.
(It's in Yeonsu Dong
across from the CGV theater.)
Part II: Subway or Bus Direction
Another common way to give directions is to tell somebody what bus or subway
to take, where to transfer, and where to get off.
Language Points
Take the Green Line to Central Station.
Transfer to the Main Line.
Get off at Market Station.
Go out exit number 4
4. Part III: Directions by Foot or Car
A third common way to give directions is to tell somebody which streets
to go down and where to turn.
Language Points
Go down Main Street to Broadway.
Turn left on Broadway.
It's on your right.
Part IV: Directions by Car Route
Another way commonly used to give directions when driving is to
state the route including highways, bridges, tunnels, and turn offs.
Language Points
Take coastal highway.
Take the Westminister turn off.
Go over (Take) the Alex Fraser Bridge.
Go through (Take) the Massey Tunnel.
5. .
Other Language Points:
Lessons on directions are also a good time to introduce embedded question
(noun clauses) such as:
Can you tell me where the library is?
I don't know where the theater is.
Can you tell me how to get to the airport?
Some other important expressions include:
You can't miss it.
I'm lost.
Which way is the hotel?
Right in front of you.
It's on the second floor.
6. WORD LIST
ASKING FOR AND GIVING DIRECTIONS
How do I get to …?
What's the best way to …?
Where is …?
Go straight on (until you come to …).
Turn back./Go back.
Turn left/right (into …-street).
Go along …
Cross …
Take the first/second road on the left/right
It's on the left/right.straight on
opposite
Near
next to
between
at the end (of)
on/at the corner
behind
in front of
(just) around the corner
traffic lights
crossroads, junction
8. NER JERSEY
The third reason for New Jersey
being my favorite place is
crabbing. If it’s crab season, we
crab. We keep the blue crabs and
the snow crabs, and we let the
others go. Sometimes we catch
crabs on hooks, and sometimes we
lower crab cages into the bay.
Then we pull them out later. One
time my brother caught a crab so
big that it got stuck in the crab
cage! The crab finally got out, but
it hurt one of its legs and broke
the cage trying. Poor crab!
9. ROME
The most wonderful places in Rome are
the famous Roman architecture and
ecclesiastical buildings of the era of the
Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Do
not forget that Rome is the city with
most churches worldwide. Being here
to visit the Colosseum, where once
gladiator fights were held, the Arch of
Constantine, having a height of 25
meters, the Roman Forum, the heart of
the Roman civilization, the Circus
Maximus, the racetrack more largest in
Italy, the Catacombs of San
Callisto, used by the early Christian
communities – Catholic.
