Asking for Directions

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person asking for help on the street
CEFR: A1
directions

Asking for Directions



Écoutez le texte du cours.

🎧 Read/Listen first

You are lost in the city. You want to find the bus station. You see a person. You ask, "Excuse me, where is the bus station?" The person smiles and says, "Go straight and turn left. It is on your right." You thank the person and walk to the bus station.

⚡ Learning goals

  • Learn how to ask for directions
  • Understand simple responses
  • Practice using key phrases

🔑 Key language

  • Excuse me, where is…? Excuse me, where is the bus station?
  • Go straight and turn left. Go straight and turn left at the corner.
  • It is on your right. The shop is on your right.

🌍 Global comprehension

What do you want to find?

What do you say to ask for help?

The person says, "Go straight and turn ___."

✍️ AI writing analysis

CEFR: A1Length: 1-2 sentences

Task: Write a short answer about how to ask for directions.

Use the phrases from the lesson.

Success criteria: Clear and correct use of phrases.

Target vocabulary

  • bus station
  • excuse me
  • go straight
Grammar focus

  • simple questions
  • imperative form

✍️ Vocabulary

bus stationA place where buses stop..
The bus station is near my house.
Repeat: bus station
Défi rapide : Say 'bus station'.
excuse meA polite way to get attention..
Excuse me, can you help me?
Repeat: excuse me
Défi rapide : Say 'excuse me'.
go straightTo move forward without turning..
Go straight to the corner.
Repeat: go straight
Défi rapide : Say 'go straight'.
turn leftTo change direction to the left..
Turn left at the traffic light.
Repeat: turn left
Défi rapide : Say 'turn left'.
rightThe direction opposite of left..
The shop is on your right.
Repeat: on your right
Défi rapide : Say 'right'.

🧠 Flashcards interactives

Choisissez la bonne réponse, écoutez le modèle, puis répétez à voix haute.

Chargement des flashcards interactives…

⚙️ Rules & Grammar

🟣 Using 'Excuse me'

Rule:
Use 'Excuse me' to start asking for help. It is polite and friendly. For example, you can say, 'Excuse me, where is the bus station?'

Examples:

  • Excuse me, can you help me?
  • Excuse me, where is the park?
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Forget to say 'Excuse me'. → Always start with 'Excuse me'.
  • Use a rude tone. → Be polite when asking.
✓Check your understanding
What do you say first?

✍Use the language
Complete: ___ me, where is the train station?

🟣 Giving Directions

Rule:
When giving directions, use simple phrases. For example, say 'Go straight' or 'Turn left'. This helps the person understand.

Examples:

  • Go straight and turn right.
  • Turn left at the traffic light.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Use complex sentences. → Keep it simple.
  • Forget to give clear directions. → Be clear and direct.
✓Check your understanding
What do you say to give directions?

✍Use the language
Complete: Go ___ and turn left.

🟣 Using 'It is on your right'

Rule:
When you finish giving directions, you can say where the place is. For example, 'It is on your right.' This helps the person find it.

Examples:

  • The bank is on your right.
  • The store is on your left.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Not saying where it is. → Always say where the place is.
  • Using confusing words. → Use simple words.
✓Check your understanding
How do you say where something is?

✍Use the language
Complete: The restaurant is on your ___.

🟣 Asking Questions

Rule:
Use simple questions to ask for help. Start with 'Where is…?' This helps you get the information you need.

Examples:

  • Where is the bus station?
  • Where is the nearest shop?
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Using long questions. → Keep questions short.
  • Not using 'where'. → Always start with 'where'.
✓Check your understanding
What do you ask to find a place?

✍Use the language
Complete: ___ is the nearest bus stop?

🧩 Guided practice

Mini-dialogue:
You: Excuse me, where is the bus station? Person: Go straight and turn left. It is on your right.

Why this matters:
This language helps you ask for help and find places.

Verb & Adjective Pack:
Use these phrases to ask for directions.

Complete: Excuse me, where is the ___?
What do you say to ask for help?

Listen: Go ___ and turn left.

🎙️ AI oral analysis

CEFR: A1Oral target: 1-2 sentences

Oral task: Write a short answer about asking for directions.

Use the phrases from the lesson.

Success criteria: Clear and correct use of phrases.

Target vocabulary

  • bus station
  • excuse me
  • go straight
Grammar focus

  • simple questions
  • imperative form

🚀 Quick challenge

Listen to the model, repeat aloud, then retry to improve your score.

EASYSay where the bus station is.
Model: The bus station is on your right.
Correct use of location.
EASYAsk for directions politely.
Model: Excuse me, where is the bus station?
Use 'Excuse me'.
MEDIUMGive directions to a place.
Model: Go straight and turn left.
Clear direction given.

AI Conversation Mission

Situation

You are lost and need help.

Your mission
  • Ask for directions to the bus station.
  • Listen to the response.
  • Thank the person.
Focus language
asking questionsgiving directionspolite phrases
Communication tip

Always start with 'Excuse me'.