DIRECTIONS - giving and getting directions

Paris Map - Directions around the city


The most important words and phrases are:

It’s also helpful to know some common places people visit in a city, such as the following:

Here are some examples:

  •  Go along the street until you reach the traffic lights.
  • You’ll see a bank on the left.
  • It’s about two blocks from here.
  • I prefer going to the airport on the highway because it’s faster.

 Some prepositions and adverbs can also help when you’re giving directions:

For example,

  •  My office building is in front of the mall.
  • Go straight on for about one kilometre.
  • The cinema is next to the bank.

How To Give Directions In English

đź”´How to give directions in English. Asking and giving directions in English. Improve your English vocabulary. #learnenglish #englishlessons #inglesprof #ingles #course #englishlanguage #skype

Asking for directions

When you ask for directions, remember above all to be polite. So start by saying one of the following phrases:

  •  Hello. Can you help me, please?
  • Good morning. May I ask for some help?
  • Excuse me, could you help?

 Once you have someone’s attention, you can ask for help to reach your destination. You can do that by using one of these phrases:

  •  Could you tell me how to get to the bank?
  • Do you know where the museum is?
  • We can’t find the subway station. Is it near here?
  • Where can we find a park near here?

 If you’re not sure you’re going in the right direction, you can make sure by asking:

  •  Are we on the right road to the city center?
  • Is this the right way to the mall?
  • What’s the best way to get to the airport?

Listen & Learn

Giving directions

In the same way that you need to ask directions when you travel abroad, foreigners visiting your city might ask you directions, and what better way to practice English than to help them? 🙂

Here are some common phrases you can use:

  • Go past the cinema. (Pass the cinema.)
  • Go along this road.
  • Go straight on/ahead. (Stay on this road – don’t turn.)
  • Go through the tunnel.
  • At the roundabout, take the first exit.
  • Turn left at the crossroads.
  • Take the second right.
  • It’s on your left.
  • You’ll see it in front of you.
  • It’s on the other side of the road.
  • You’re going the wrong way.


Asking and giving directions, by Edite Tentere
Find this and other giving directions exercises in English Exercises .org
  1. Directions - prepositions
  2. Giving and asking for directions
  3. How to give directions
  4. Following Directions - getting around (with answers)
  5. Giving Directions - exercise
  6. Giving Directions - speaking game
  7. Talk English - directions
  8. BBC - giving directions
  9. About.com - directions
  10. Directions - basics
  11. Giving Directions
  12. Business English - directions
  13. town map
  14. Directions game
  15. Directions - Dropbox
  16. Direction worksheets and exercises **

Housing, neighborhoods and directions lessons

Housing, neighborhoods and directions or “getting around” are three related ESL teaching topics that are appropriate for elementary learners. Students are able to engage with topics like these that are familiar and part of their everyday lives.
  • Directions 1 (easy) - RĂ©vision des prĂ©positions et des magasins (esl-lab)
  • Directions 3 (medium) - RĂ©vision des prĂ©positions (esl-lab)
  • Directions 2 (difficult) - Utilisation des prĂ©positions (esl-lab)
  • A story with a cat and a mouse - read to you. (rĂ©vision des prĂ©positions) - (kizclub)

  • Directions (with exercises) - (esl-lab) :
    - Directions 1 (E)
    - Getting Around Tokyo (E)
    - Directions 3 (M)
    - Where's the movie theater? (D)
    - Directions 2 (D)
    - Taking the Train (E)

Vocabulary : 





INTERACTIVE exercises :