Elementary English #11: Giving & Asking for Directions | Easy English at Home

Summary

This video lesson from Easy English at Home teaches viewers how to ask for and give directions in English. It covers essential phrases such as 'Where is…?', 'How can I get to…?', and 'Can you give me directions to…?' The lesson also explains common directional instructions like 'turn right,' 'go straight ahead,' and 'take the first/second left or right.' Viewers learn how to describe locations using terms like 'on the left,' 'on the right,' and 'on the corner.' The video includes practical map exercises and introduces useful vocabulary such as roundabout, signpost, crossroad, pedestrian crossing, pavement, and sidewalk, making it highly interactive and practical for everyday navigation.

Takeaways

• 😀 British and American pronunciations of the word 'directions' are different: 'directions' (British) vs 'directions' (American).
• 😀 When asking for directions, some common phrases include: 'Where is the bus station?', 'How can I get to the bus station?', 'Can you give me directions to the pharmacy?', etc.
• 😀 Key phrases to understand directions: 'Turn right', 'Turn left', 'Go straight ahead', 'Go past', 'Cross the road'.
• 😀 To understand complex directions, listen for 'take the first/second right/left' when navigating streets.
• 😀 If you need to continue past a location without stopping, the phrase 'go past' is used, e.g., 'Go past the pharmacy'.
• 😀 'Cross the road' is used when you need to walk or drive to the opposite side of the street.
• 😀 Directional phrases include: 'On the left', 'On the right', and 'On the corner' to describe locations relative to your position.
• 😀 Practice directions using a map, such as: 'Go straight ahead', 'Take the second right', 'Go past the underground', etc.
• 😀 Common road-related vocabulary includes: 'roundabout', 'signpost', 'crossroad', 'pedestrian crossing (or zebra crossing)', and 'pavement (or sidewalk)'.
• 😀 The importance of understanding local terminology is emphasized, e.g., 'pavement' (UK) vs 'sidewalk' (US).
• 😀 A reminder to practice and subscribe for more lessons, with practice files available for download.

Q & A

How do British and American people pronounce the word 'directions' differently?

British people pronounce it as 'directions' with a more clipped tone, while Americans also say 'directions' but with a slightly different intonation. Both pronunciations are correct, so you can choose whichever you are comfortable with.

What are the main ways to ask for directions in English according to the video?

The main ways are: 'Where is…?', 'How can I get to…?', 'How do I get to…?', and 'Can you give me directions to…?'. Each can be used depending on the situation.

What is the difference between 'How can I get to…?' and 'How do I get to…?'?

There is no significant difference; both are correct. 'Can' implies asking for possibility, while 'do' is a straightforward way to ask for the route.

Which phrases are commonly used to understand and give directions?

Common phrases include: 'turn right', 'turn left', 'go straight ahead', 'take the first/second right', 'take the first/second left', 'go past', 'cross the road', 'it's on the left', 'it's on the right', and 'it's on the corner'.

How do you instruct someone to continue past a location without stopping?

You say 'go past' followed by the location, for example, 'go past the pharmacy'. This indicates they should keep moving and not stop at that place.

What phrases are used to indicate a location relative to a road or corner?

You can say 'it's on the left', 'it's on the right', or 'it's on the corner' to indicate the location of a place relative to the street.

What vocabulary words related to streets and roads were introduced in the video?

The video introduces 'roundabout', 'signpost', 'crossroad', 'pedestrian crossing' (or 'zebra crossing'), and 'pavement' (or 'sidewalk').

How do you ask for directions to a specific place on the city map?

You can use any of the following: 'Where is the [place]?', 'How can I get to the [place]?', 'How do I get to the [place]?', or 'Can you give me directions to the [place]?'.

How do you explain which turn to take when there are multiple options?

You specify the order by saying 'take the first right/left', 'take the second right/left', or 'take the third right/left' to clarify exactly which turn to take.

What steps should you follow when giving someone directions on a map?

First, identify the starting point and destination. Then, describe the route using clear phrases like 'go straight ahead', 'take the second right', 'go past the cafe', 'cross the road', and indicate the final location with 'it's on the left/right/corner'.

Why is it important to know both 'pavement' and 'sidewalk'?

'Pavement' is the British English term and 'sidewalk' is American English. Knowing both ensures you understand directions in different English-speaking regions.

What practical exercise does the video suggest for practicing directions?

The video uses a city map to practice asking and giving directions, guiding viewers step by step to places like a Chinese restaurant, cinema, cafe, and hospital.