Asking for Directions
Ask the way. Give simple directions.
Ask the way. Use 'next to', 'opposite', 'between'.
Look & say · Step 1
5 minGet ready
When was the last time you got lost? Tell a partner.
What's next to you? What's behind you?
Do you find it easy or hard to ask for directions?
Words to learn · Step 2
8 minNew words today
go straight on
Keep walking forward
"Go straight on for 200m."
turn left
Change direction left
"Turn left at the lights."
turn right
Change direction right
"Turn right at the bank."
first / second
Order of streets
"Take the first on the left."
next to
Beside
"Next to the café."
opposite
Across from
"Opposite the museum."
between
In the middle of two things
"Between A and B."
on the corner
Where two streets meet
"On the corner of Park St."
near
Close to
"It's near the station."
traffic lights
Red, yellow, green signals
"At the traffic lights."
street / road
Where cars go
"On Main Street."
bus stop
Where the bus stops
"Near the bus stop."
Activate · Personalise · Recycle
Use these words now
Make each sentence true for you. Say it aloud to a partner.
turn left
"For me, turn left is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
turn right
"For me, turn right is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
first / second
"For me, first / second is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
You'll meet these words again in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Homework.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Sounds & saying · Step 3
5 minWord stress: TURN left, GO straight, TAKE the first
When giving directions, English speakers stress the verb (the action). Say it strong: TURN, GO, TAKE.
- • TURN left
- • GO straight on
- • TAKE the first right
- • It's NEXT to the bank.
Language focus · Step 4
10 minPrepositions of place & direction verbs
Quick rule
Prepositions of place & direction verbs
WHERE: next to, opposite, between, near, on the corner of.
- Directions: Go, Turn, Take.
The bank is next to the café.
The pharmacy is opposite the hospital.
The hotel is between the museum and the park.
Go straight on.
Turn left at the lights.
Take the second street on the right.
Question 1.The café is ___ the bank and the post office.
Question 2.___ left at the corner.
Question 3.The hotel is ___ the park (across the road).
Rebuild each line, spot the natural chunks, then practise responding aloud.
Quick check 1.Go ___ on for 100 metres.
Quick check 2.Take the ___ street on the right.
Reading · Step 5
7 minHow to find my flat
Hi! 👋 My flat is easy to find. From the station 🚉, go straight on for 200 metres. Turn left at the traffic lights 🚦. My building is on the right, opposite the park. 🌳 It's between a café ☕ and a small shop. The number is 14. See you soon!
Question 1.Where do you start?
Question 2.Where do you turn?
Question 3.What's opposite the flat?
Q1.The flat is between a café and a shop.
Q2.You turn right at the lights.
Listening · Step 6
10 minWhere's the museum?
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Tom
Excuse me, where's the museum?
Anna
Go straight on to the traffic lights.
Tom
OK, straight on. Then?
Anna
Turn right and take the first street on the left.
Tom
First on the left. Is it far?
Anna
No, five minutes. It's opposite the park.
Tom
Thank you so much!
Question 1.Where does he turn right?
Question 2.How long does it take?
Question 3.What's near the museum?
Practice · Step 7
8 minChoose the word
Question 1.Go ___ on for 100 metres.
Question 2.The bank is ___ the café.
Question 3.Take the ___ street on the left.
Q1.Across from = ___
Q2.In the middle of two things = ___
Survival English · Step 8
4 minSpeaking — give directions
Task
A tourist asks you the way from your school to your home. Give clear directions in 4–5 steps.
Strategy
Use sequencing: 'First… then… after that… finally.' Stress the verbs.
Example
First, go straight on. Then turn left at the bank. Take the second street on the right. My house is opposite the park.
Writing · Step 9
5 minWrite a little
Your task
Write 5 sentences explaining how to get from your nearest bus stop to your home.
Show model answer
Get off the bus at Park Street. Go straight on for 100 metres. Turn left at the traffic lights. Take the second street on the right. My house is opposite a small café.
Speaking · Step 10
12 minTalk together
Roleplay: tourist + local. The tourist asks for 2 places. The local gives directions, then swap.
Useful phrases
- • Excuse me, where's the ___?
- • How do I get to ___?
- • Is it far?
- • Go straight on / Turn left / Turn right.
- • It's opposite / next to / between ___.
- TouristExcuse me, where's the post office?
- Local_______________
- TouristIs it far?
- Local_______________
Homework · Step 11
Take-homePractice at home
Write directions from your home to your favourite café (5 sentences).
Record yourself giving directions to a friend's house.
Recap · Step 12
3 minWhat you learned
- 🧭 You can ask 'Where is…?' and 'How do I get to…?'
- ⬆️ You can say 'go straight on, turn left, turn right'.
- ↔️ You can use 'next to, opposite, between'.
- 📍 You can locate places clearly on a map.