M9: Language Usage

Instructional objective

You will be able to use phrases and useful expression about describing city and giving direction

Video 1 : Describing city

Video 2 : Describing towns and cities

Useful Expression

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? 

Giving directions if you know the way…
The easiest way is to…
The quickest way is to…
The best way is to…

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
after that     :  Go straight on this street after that turn left on Sudirman street 
then  :  Go down then turn right 
next  : Go up for two blogs next turn left for one blog and the building is on the left
when you get to…go…  : When you get to the traffic light go up and across the street
finally  : turn left for one blog and finally  it is on the right side.

Offer “Ballpark Figures” (rough estimates of time or length of travel)
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

 

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? 

Giving directions if you know the way…
The easiest way is to…
The quickest way is to…
The best way is to…

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
after that     :  Go straight on this street after that turn left on Sudirman street 
then  :  Go down then turn right 
next  : Go up for two blogs next turn left for one blog and the building is on the left
when you get to…go…  : When you get to the traffic light go up and across the street
finally  : turn left for one blog and finally  it is on the right side.

Offer “Ballpark Figures” (rough estimates of time or length of travel)
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
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.

More exercises explore these links:

  1. Asking and Giving Directions
  2. Useful expression to asking direction 
  3. Expression of giving direction