HOW TO GIVE DIRECTIONS

Sometimes it is really important to know how to give directions and what is more how to ask for them when you are lost! So here you are some interesting worksheets you could use with your kids. ENJOY!!!!

You know how to ASK for directions, but what happens when an English speaker asks YOU for directions. This is not a time for small talk. Give only basic directions with short phrases. Do the best you can.

Questions you may hear 
How do I get to Main Street?
Where is the closest gas station?
Can you tell me where the community centre is?
I’m looking for Jane Street. 
Are you from around here?

If you know the way…
Use basic English to offer directions. Short phrases are best. Speak slowly and use very careful pronunciation. Spell out a word if necessary.

The easiest way is to…
The quickest way is to…
The best way is to…

go + direction (right, left, down, up, through)
take + road name
turn + right/left
stay on + road name for + distance or time

Examples: 
The easiest way is to go right on Commercial Avenue.
The quickest way is to take Road Number 1.
The best way is to turn right on Main Street.
Stay on Route 1 for about ten minutes.

Use transitions
Separate each leg of the route with a transition.

after that
then
next
when you get to…go…
finally

Offer “Ballpark Figures” (rough estimates of time or length of travel)
Some people feel better knowing how long it will take to get from A to B.

It’s just around the corner (not far).
It’s not far.
It’s a bit of a way. (it takes a while)
It’s about a five minute walk.
It’s about a twenty minute bus ride.

Use landmarks
Tell the person what to watch for.

You will see a large clock on the right.
You will pass a gas station.
It’s across from the blue church.

More useful language
It’s on + street name
It’s across from
It’s opposite
It’s near
It’s around the corner from

Offer warnings 
Stay in the right lane.
It’s a very busy road.
It’s a big hill. (if they are walking or on a bike)
There might be construction.
If you pass the … you went too far.
There’s no parking.

Repeat yourself
If YOU repeat the directions again, the other person will feel more confident. Repeat important details including street names and turns. You can also ask the other person to repeat the directions back to you.

If you are in the car with the driver…
Give a lot of warning.

Turn right at the next street
Get in the left lane.
Go one more block. Then turn right.
At the next traffic lights turn…
It’s going to be on your right.

Clarify
Make sure that the other person understood your directions. Say: “Did you get all that?”

If you don’t know the way…
Don’t guess! Don’t just shake your head and walk away. Use one of these phrases:

I’m sorry, I’m not from here.
I’m afraid I can’t help you.
Sorry I don’t know my way around here.

Offer another solution 
You could ask the bus driver.
Ask the front desk clerk.
Follow me. I’ll show you the way.
Do you want me to draw you a map?

—

Preguntar y dar direcciones

Encontrarás estas expresiones inglesas útiles si estás perdido o necesitas llegar a un lugar en particular o dar indicationes a otros.

Asking directions
Preguntar direcciones

excuse me, could you tell me how to get to …?	¿perdón, me podría decir como llegar a …?
the bus station	la estación de autobuses

excuse me, do you know where the … is?	¿perdón, sabe usted donde esta …?
post office	la oficina de correos

I'm sorry, I don't know	lo siento, no lo sé
sorry, I'm not from around here	lo siento, no soy de por aquí

I'm looking for …	estoy buscando …
this address	esta dirección

are we on the right road for …?	¿estamos en la carretera correcta para ir a …?
Brighton	Brighton
is this the right way for …?	¿es este el camino correcto para ir a …?
Ipswich	Ipswich

do you have a map?	¿tiene usted un mapa?
can you show me on the map?	¿me lo puede indicar en el mapa?

Giving directions
Dar direcciones

it's this way	está por aquí
it's that way	está por allí

you're going the wrong way	está yendo por un camino equivocado
you're going in the wrong direction	está yendo en la dirección equivocada

take this road	siga esta carretera
go down there	baje hacia allí

take the first on the left	tome la primera a la izquierda
take the second on the right	tome la segunda a la derecha
turn right at the crossroads	gire a la derecha en el cruce

continue straight ahead for about a mile

continúe recto durante aproximadamente una milla (una milla es aproximadamente 1,6 kilómetros)

continue past the fire station

continue más allá de la estación de bomberos

you'll pass a supermarket on your left

pasará un supermercado a su izquierda

keep going for another …	siga igual durante … más
hundred yards	cien yardas (unos 91 metros)
two hundred metres	doscientos metros
half mile	media milla (unos 800 metros)
kilometre	un kilómetro

it'll be …	lo encontrará a …
on your left	su izquierda
on your right	su derecha
straight ahead of you	justo delante suya

How far is it?
¿A qué distancia está?

how far is it?

¿a qué distancia está?

how far is it to …?	¿a qué distancia está …?
the airport	el aeropuerto

how far is it to … from here?	¿a qué distancia está … de aquí?
the beach	la playa

is it far?	¿está lejos?
is it a long way?	¿es un largo camino?

it's …	…
not far	no, no está muy lejos
quite close	está bastante cerca
quite a long way	es un camino bastante largo
a long way on foot	es un camino largo a pie
a long way to walk	es un camino muy largo para ir caminando
about a mile from here	está a alrededor de una milla de aquí (una milla es aproximadamente 1,6 kilómetros)

Giving directions to drivers
Dar direcciones a conductores

follow the signs for …	sigue las señales hacia …
the town centre	el centro de la ciudad
Birmingham	Birmingham

continue straight on past some traffic lights	continue recto tras pasar varios semáforos
at the second set of traffic lights, turn left	en el segundo semáforo, gire a la izquierda

go over the roundabout	siga recto en la glorieta
take the second exit at the roundabout	tome la segunda salida de la glorieta
turn right at the T-junction	gire a la izquierda en la intersección

go under the bridge	vaya por debajo del puente
go over the bridge	vaya por encima del puente

you'll cross some railway lines

cruzará algunas vías de ferrocarril

Asking somebody for directions

** Hint The key words are highlighted ** 

Questions you can ask about directions

Can you please tell me how do I can get to Oxford Street?

Where is the nearest supermarket?

How can I get to the  local market?

I'm trying get to Downing Street.

How do I get to the office?

What's the best way to get to your house next ?

Where is Mc Donalds can you tell me please?

How to give directions to somebody else 

Go straight on till you see the hospital then turn left.

Turn back, you have gone past the turning.

Turn left when you see a roundabout.

Turn right at the end of the road and my house is number 67.

Cross the junction and keep going for about 1 mile.

Take the third road on the right and you will see the office on the right

Take the third road on the right and you will see the shop on the left

Take the second road on the left and you will see the house on the left

Take the second road on the left and you will see the hospital straight ahead

The hospital is opposite the railway station.

The shop is near the hospital.

The house is next to the local cricket ground.

The shop is in between the chemist and KFC.

At the end of the road you will see a roundabout.

At the corner of the road you will see red building.

Just around the corner is my house you will need to stop quickly or you will miss it.

Go straight on at the traffic lights.

turn right at the crossroads.

Follow the signposts for Manchester.

Giving directions conversation

When giving directions to someone it is best to use short basic English sentences. Speak slowly when talking to the other person and spell out words if they don't understand and if possible draw a map.

Mr Bean : - Please tell me how I get to your apartment?

Mrs Smith: - Are you coming by car or by bus?

Mr Bean : - I am coming by car.

Mr Bean : - Please could you tell me the easiest way of getting to your apartment?

Mrs Smith: - Take the M6 to Manchester and come of at junction 6

Mr Bean : - Manchester can you spell that for me

Mrs Smith: - M a n c h e s t e r

Mr Bean : - Thanks

Mrs Smith: -  OK, then turn right at the roundabout and take the first left my house is on the left next to the local food store.

Mr Bean : - Is that the quickest way of getting to your apartment?

Mrs Smith: - Yes, it is the quickest way by car.

Mr Bean : - Would you draw me a map please I don't know the area.

Mrs Smith: - Yes.

Mr Bean : - Thanks.

And finally some tips

Speak slowly so the other person can understand.

Speak slowly so the other person can write down the instructions if talking on the phone.

When speaking with someone, use your hands to demonstrate what you mean,  left, right, or straight on.

Always try and use the word "please" when you are asking someone for directions. It's polite, and people are more likely to help you!

Exercise on Asking and Giving Directions

Fill in the words below correctly. (Use the map for orientation.)

continue, end, excuse, get, left (2x), next, opposite, right, second, straight on, thank, turn, welcome

1.            me, how do I  to the cinema?

2.           Go .

3.           Turn  at the corner.

4.           Then take the  road on your .

5.            to the  of the road.

6.            left there.

7.           The cinema is on your ,  the castle.

8.            you very much.

9.           You're .