My Map

Elementary (A1-A2) 30 minutes
ESL giving directions worksheet for A1-A2 elementary: matching, unscrambling, error correction, map drawing, pair practice

ESL Giving Directions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Unscrambling, Error Correction, Drawing - Speaking Activity: Freer Practice - Pair Work

In this productive giving directions worksheet, students learn and practice language for asking and giving directions. Students begin by writing directions from...

ESL Giving Directions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Unscrambling, Error Correction, Drawing - Speaking Activity: Freer Practice - Pair Work In this productive giving directions worksheet, students learn and practice language for asking and giving directions. Students begin by writing directions from a box under the correct pictures. Students then unscramble words to form questions that ask for directions. Next, students complete a conversation about asking for and giving directions using the words from the previous exercises. After that, students correct mistakes in a giving directions conversation. Students then create a map of a town by writing the names of the streets and drawing a start point and ten places on the map, e.g. a cinema, restaurant, etc. Finally, in pairs, students take turns asking for and giving directions to the places on their map using the language from the worksheet.
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Where is it?

Elementary (A1-A2) 20 minutes
ESL giving directions activity for A1-A2 elementary: giving directions, prepositions of place, pair work, finding places

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

In this communicative giving directions activity, students practice giving basic directions and using the prepositions of place: next to, opposite, and in between. In pairs, one student begins by giving...

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work In this communicative giving directions activity, students practice giving basic directions and using the prepositions of place: next to, opposite, and in between. In pairs, one student begins by giving their partner directions to the places shown using the word 'blank' for each place, e.g. 'To get to 'blank', go straight and turn right, it's opposite...' When their partner correctly names the place, the student directs them to the next place from the start point using a different preposition of place (opposite, next to or in between) each time. When their partner has followed directions to all 12 places, the two students swap roles. The activity continues until both students have been successfully directed to all the places.
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Can you tell me the way to ...?

Pre-intermediate (A2) 25 minutes
ESL directions activity for A2 pre-intermediate: asking for and giving directions, map practice, pair work

ESL Directions Activity - Speaking: Asking For and Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

In this useful giving directions speaking activity, students practice asking for and giving directions to places on a map. In pairs, one student goes first and asks for directions to one of the places in the box...

ESL Directions Activity - Speaking: Asking For and Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work In this useful giving directions speaking activity, students practice asking for and giving directions to places on a map. In pairs, one student goes first and asks for directions to one of the places in the box to their partner who gives directions. The student follows the directions and marks the location by writing the name of the place on the map. When the student has found all eight places, the two students swap roles. Afterwards, students compare their maps to check they have marked the places correctly.
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Directions Language Worksheet

Pre-intermediate (A2) 30 minutes
ESL giving directions worksheet for A2 pre-intermediate: matching, gap-fill, writing sentences, prepositions, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Gap-fill, Binary Choice, Writing Sentences, Comparing

Here is a free giving directions worksheet to help students learn and practice phrases and prepositions related to giving directions. Students begin by matching...

ESL Giving Directions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Gap-fill, Binary Choice, Writing Sentences, Comparing Here is a free giving directions worksheet to help students learn and practice phrases and prepositions related to giving directions. Students begin by matching phrases for giving directions to signs. Students then match sentence halves together to make directions that use the phrases. Next, students complete directions with the vocabulary. After that, students complete sentences with prepositions, explaining how each preposition is used. Students then move on to complete directions with prepositions from a box. Lastly, students write directions to the nearest hospital and bank using the phrases and prepositions from the worksheet and then read them to a partner to see if they are the same or different.
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Draw the Directions

Pre-intermediate (A2) 35 minutes
ESL giving directions activity for A2 pre-intermediate: reading comprehension, drawing, writing, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Vocabulary: Reading Comprehension, Drawing, Writing Directions - Pair Work

In this creative giving directions activity, students draw simple pictures that match a set of directions and then write directions for a partner to draw. First, students read the directions in each box and...

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Vocabulary: Reading Comprehension, Drawing, Writing Directions - Pair Work In this creative giving directions activity, students draw simple pictures that match a set of directions and then write directions for a partner to draw. First, students read the directions in each box and draw a corresponding picture underneath. Students then write a new set of directions in boxes and then hand them to a partner to draw. Finally, students check the drawings with their partner to make sure they are correct.
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Excuse me, where is...?

Pre-intermediate (A2) 20 minutes
ESL giving directions activity for A2 pre-intermediate: asking for and giving directions, map, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving and Following Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

This enjoyable giving directions speaking activity helps to teach students how to ask for and give directions. Starting from the pinned location, one student asks their partner for directions to the first place...

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving and Following Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work This enjoyable giving directions speaking activity helps to teach students how to ask for and give directions. Starting from the pinned location, one student asks their partner for directions to the first place on their worksheet. When the student has been directed to each place, they mark the location on their map and ask for directions to the next place from there. When all ten places have been marked on the map, the two students swap roles. Afterwards, students compare their maps to see if they have marked the locations correctly.
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Gold Star Directions Game

Pre-intermediate (A2) 25 minutes
ESL giving directions game for A2 pre-intermediate: following and writing instructions, gold star scavenger hunt, group work

ESL Giving Directions Game - Reading and Writing: Following and Writing Instructions, Freer Practice - Group Work

In this rewarding giving directions game, students give and follow directions to the locations of hidden gold stars in the building and classroom. First, teams do a dictation activity that gives...

ESL Giving Directions Game - Reading and Writing: Following and Writing Instructions, Freer Practice - Group Work In this rewarding giving directions game, students give and follow directions to the locations of hidden gold stars in the building and classroom. First, teams do a dictation activity that gives directions from the classroom to a hidden gold star somewhere else in the building. A member from each team then follows the directions and races to retrieve the star. While the students are out of the room, the remaining students follow simple directions to other gold stars hidden around the classroom. Next, give each team a gold star. Teams then hide their star somewhere in the building and write directions from the classroom to the location of their star. Finally, teams challenge one another to find their gold star by following their directions. The team with the most gold stars at the end of the game wins.
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How do I get to...?

Pre-intermediate (A2) 20 minutes
ESL giving directions activity for A2 pre-intermediate: asking and following directions, map, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving and Following Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

In this free giving directions speaking activity, students practice giving and following directions to places on a map. In pairs, students take turns asking their partner how they get to the places...

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving and Following Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work In this free giving directions speaking activity, students practice giving and following directions to places on a map. In pairs, students take turns asking their partner how they get to the places shown on their worksheet, beginning at the start each time, e.g. 'How do I get to the hotel?' Their partner then gives directions accordingly. When a student has followed the directions to the place, they mark the location on the map. Afterwards, students compare their maps to see if they have marked the locations correctly.
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Place to Place

Pre-intermediate (A2) 25 minutes
ESL giving directions activity for A2 pre-intermediate: asking for and giving directions, town map, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Asking For and Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

In this communicative giving directions activity, students ask for and give directions to different places in a town. In pairs, Student A goes first and asks their partner for directions to the first place on the...

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Asking For and Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work In this communicative giving directions activity, students ask for and give directions to different places in a town. In pairs, Student A goes first and asks their partner for directions to the first place on the worksheet. Student B then gives directions to the place. When Student A has been directed to the place, they mark the location on their map and ask for directions from there to the next place. When Student A has been directed to all ten places, the two students swap roles. Afterwards, students compare their maps to check if they have marked the locations correctly.
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Destination Unknown

Intermediate (B1) 20 minutes
ESL giving directions activity for B1 intermediate: following directions, map, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving and Following Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

Here is an engaging giving directions speaking activity to help students review how to give directions. One student begins by giving their partner directions from place to place on their map using...

ESL Giving Directions Activity - Speaking: Giving and Following Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work Here is an engaging giving directions speaking activity to help students review how to give directions. One student begins by giving their partner directions from place to place on their map using the word 'blank' for each destination, e.g. 'To get to 'blank' from Fai's Fashion, go straight on South Street and take the second left, walk along...' After their partner says the correct destination, the student directs them to the next place, starting from their current location. When their partner has followed directions to all 12 places, the two students swap roles. The activity continues until both students have been successfully directed to all the destinations.
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Could you direct me to...?

Upper-intermediate (B2) 30 minutes
ESL giving directions worksheet for B2 upper-intermediate: binary choice, error correction, complex directions, pair work

ESL Giving Directions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Error Correction - Speaking Activities: Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

This comprehensive giving directions worksheet helps students practice language for giving complex directions. First, students discuss questions...

ESL Giving Directions Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Binary Choice, Error Correction - Speaking Activities: Giving Directions, Communicative Practice - Pair Work This comprehensive giving directions worksheet helps students practice language for giving complex directions. First, students discuss questions about directions in pairs. Students then match road-related vocabulary from a box to pictures. Next, students underline the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence that gives directions. After that, students find mistakes in sentences that give directions and correct them. Students then use vocabulary from a box to complete a conversation about giving directions. In pairs, students then move on to think of and write down six places in their city or town that they both know how to get to. Finally, students take turns secretly choosing a place from the list and giving directions to their partner, who listens and says where the directions would take them.
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Using Giving Directions Language

Giving directions in English means using specific words and phrases to guide someone from one place to another, such as 'Turn left at the traffic lights', 'Go straight on', 'Take the second right', and 'It's on your left opposite the bank.' Students who only know vague location words like 'near' or 'over there' cannot complete one of the most basic real-world communication tasks, which is helping a stranger find their way, making this one of the most immediately useful areas of functional language to get right.

This page covers giving directions across A1-A2, A2, B1, and B2 levels, with fourteen activities including pair map tasks, classroom movement games, worksheets, and writing activities, with two resources available as free downloads.

The table below maps the most common English phrases for giving and asking for directions by function, giving teachers and students a clear reference for the full range of language used in a typical directions exchange.

FunctionPhrase or ExpressionExample
Starting directions From here... / Start by... 'From here, walk along the high street.'
Going straight Go straight on / Keep going straight 'Go straight on until you reach the roundabout.'
Turning Turn left / Turn right 'Turn right at the traffic lights.'
Taking a specific road Take the first/second left or right 'Take the second left after the bridge.'
Indicating distance It's about 200 metres / It's not far 'It's about 200 metres down the road on your left.'
Using landmarks It's next to / opposite / in between 'It's opposite the supermarket, next to the bank.'
Confirming arrival You can't miss it / You'll see it on your left or right 'You'll see it on your right just after the junction.'
Asking for directions Excuse me, how do I get to...? / Can you tell me the way to...? 'Excuse me, how do I get to the nearest train station?'
Checking understanding Is it far? / How long does it take? 'Is it far? How long does it take on foot?'

How to Use Giving Directions Language

Helping a stranger in the street: When someone asks for directions face to face, sequence your instructions clearly from the starting point and use landmarks to anchor each step, as in 'Go straight on, take the second left, and it's opposite the post office.'

Giving directions remotely: Without gesture or visual cues, your words carry all the weight. Use precise landmark phrases and ordinal numbers so nothing is left to guesswork, as in 'Take the first right after the traffic lights, then it's the third building on your left.'

Describing a multi-step route: When directions involve several turns, use sequencing words to keep the listener oriented at every stage, as in 'First, go straight on until you reach the roundabout, then take the third exit and it's about 100 metres on your left.'

3-Step Framework for Teaching Giving Directions Language

1. Build the Language Foundation First: Before students can give directions in a real exchange, they need the core phrases and prepositions in their heads. A worksheet that works through matching, gap-fill, and error correction tasks gets that vocabulary locked in, and the final stage asks students to write directions to the nearest hospital and bank and compare answers with a partner, checking whether they can deploy the language independently and not just recognize it in exercises.

2. Put the Language to Work on a Map: A pair map activity creates the clearest possible simulation of a real directions exchange. One student asks how to get to a place on the map, for example 'How do I get to the hotel?', and their partner gives directions while the asker traces the route and marks the location. Comparing maps at the end gives both students immediate feedback on whether the directions were clear enough to follow.

3. Make Accuracy Matter with a Physical Challenge: A classroom maze game raises the communicative stakes in a way no worksheet can. One player is blindfolded and brought to the entrance of a desk maze, and their team must direct them through it in the shortest possible time, with penalty points for errors. When getting the directions wrong has a visible, physical consequence, students pay close attention to both giving and following them accurately.

Common Mistakes with Giving Directions Language

Using 'you go' instead of the imperative: Students often describe directions as if narrating a route rather than instructing someone, producing sentences like 'you go straight and you turn left' instead of the direct imperative forms that English directions require. Wrong: 'You go straight and you turn left at the lights.' Correct: 'Go straight and turn left at the lights.'

Forgetting ordinal numbers with left and right: Students often say 'take the left' when they mean a specific turning, omitting the ordinal number that tells the listener which one to take. Wrong: 'Take the left after the school.' Correct: 'Take the second left after the school.'

Common Questions About Teaching Giving Directions Language

What is a fun game for practicing giving directions?

The game Star Wars Directions Game splits the class into the Dark Side and the Jedi. Each round, a blindfolded player carries an inflatable lightsaber while a teammate calls out directions like 'turn left' and 'go straight.' When the player gets close enough, the caller shouts 'hit' and they try to strike their opponent. First to land a hit scores the point.

What is a good worksheet for practicing giving directions?

The worksheet Could you direct me to...? covers the full range of giving directions vocabulary through binary choice, error correction, and gap-fill exercises. Students finish by writing down six real places in their city that they both know, then take turns secretly choosing one and giving directions while their partner tries to identify the destination.

What is an interesting giving directions activity?

In the activity Destination Unknown, students give directions between named places on the map but say 'blank' instead of the destination, so the listener has to follow the directions and work out where they end up. Once the partner names the correct place, the student directs them onward to the next location from there.

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