Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Beginner - Book 1 > Lesson 12
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By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to ask for and give walking directions.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to able to ask for walking directions using the 4 steps below:
1) Get the person's attention
2) Ask for directions
3) Confirm the details
4) Thank the person
The student should be able to able to give someone walking directions using the 2 steps below:
1) Explain how to get there
2) State where the final location is
3) State how long the journey takes.
e.g. Go straight three blocks and turn right. Then, go straight two blocks and turn left. It’s on your left. It will probably take about 10 minutes.
Words and rules:
The student should be able to use the imperative mood. e.g. Go straight. / Don't go straight.
The student should be able to sequence commands. e.g. Then, turn left at the church.
The student should know that people don’t say “you”, when giving commands.
- “You go straight” = present simple tense (this is used when we talk about facts or habits)
- “Go straight” = command (this is used when we tell someone how to do something. It Japanese it may sound a little rude to use commands like this, but in English it’s perfectly fine)
The student should know that "and" and "then" are not the same.
- “and” connects two commands together when you are giving directions. and makes them one command.
“go straight” “turn left” = 2 commands
“go straight and turn left” = 1 command
- “then” sequences commands (it puts them in order)
Go straight and turn left. = Command #1
Then, go up 10th street. = Command #2
Then, turn right at the bank. = Command #3
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: The student should know how to get someone's attention.
Register: Giving directions using the imperative mood is fine if someone asks "how do I" - you don't need to say "please" or "you should"
Social rules: We usually only give 4-5 maximum steps when giving directions. It's common to give a shortcut to start e.g. Do you know how to get to XXX? OK, go there, then...
Track #21
Turn right onto 7th Avenue. Then, go straight two blocks and turn right
at the Best Buy Theater. After that, go straight one block and turn left
onto 8th Avenue. It’s on your right.
Because the lesson touches on the topic of parts of city, you are welcome to introduce some of the following vocabulary if you like.
1) an intersection (n)
2) a crossing (n)
3) a set of traffic lights (n)
4) a block (n)
5) a sign (n)
6) a footpath (n)
7) a bridge (n)
8) a tunnel (n)
9) a roundabout (n)
10) a subway entrance (n)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★
Type: Reply prompt
Purpose: Grammar practice
Method: Give the student a situation then they need to reply with both an affirmative and
negative imperative.
e.g.
A) I’m cold.
B) Put on a sweater. Don’t eat ice cream.
Option 2:
Difficulty ★★
Type: Grammar introduction and skit
Purpose: Stating where buildings are located.
Method: Introduce some basic prepositions of place (next to, in, on, at, under, etc) and practice
using them to describe where buildings are.
e.g.
A) Where is the bank?
B) It’s over there. Next to the station.
Option 3:
Difficulty ★★★
Type: Realia role-play
Purpose: Practicing using real directions
Method: Open Google Maps and practice giving directions using authentic information.
Extra questions you might like to ask in the lesson
- Where is the bank?
- How do I get there?
- Is it far?
- How far is it?
- How long will it take?
Let’s start
Where do the people want to go? Help them find what they want.
Sam: I want to mail a letter. > Go to the post office
Alice: I want to eat lunch. > Go to Shake Shack
Karen: I want to see a play. > Go to the Helen Hayes Theater
Mark: I want to stay at a nice hotel. > Go to the Westin NY
Let’s try
Listen to the directions from Times Square (marked with blue arrow) and mark the final destination on the map.
Turn right onto 7th Avenue. Then, go straight two blocks and turn right at the Best Buy Theater. After that, go straight one block and turn left onto 8th Avenue. It’s on your right.
Destination = Shake Shack
Let’s practice
Practice asking for and giving directions to some of the locations below.
from 5 Napkin Burger to the Cort Theater
Go down W 42nd street and turn right onto 7th avenue. Go straight four blocks, then turn right onto W 48th street. Go straight half a block. It’s on your left.
Let’s speak
Role-play helping a lost tourist near your station.
A) Hello. Excuse me. Is there a cafe near here?
B) Yeah. There is one near the station.
A) Great. How do I get there?
B) Go straight three blocks and turn right.
A) Thanks a lot.
B) You’re welcome.