HOW TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS IN ENGLISH IN AMERICA

STEP ONE – Identify and approach the person whom you will ask for directions

The first thing you should do is to get familiar with your surroundings and find someone who can help you.

Unless you are in the middle of the desert or driving in the mountains, there are almost always people close by who will be more than happy to give you directions.

And if you don’t see someone close by, you can go into the nearest store or shop, as the shopkeeper will probably be familiar with the area.

While it is acceptable to approach just about anyone, be sure you are approaching someone who looks friendly that you will be comfortable speaking with. 

This is your chance to wave, smile and have a pleasant interaction.

GIVING DIRECTIONS

How do you get to your dorm room from this classroom?

example: walk out the door and turn left, walk until you reach the stairs, go down the stairs until you reach the bottom floor, turn left and go out the front door, walk straight until you reach the the running track, turn left, walk past the restrooms and trees until you reach a driveway and a

big rock with red writing, turn right, walk until you reach the entrance of the Liu Yuan hotel, walk up the stairs to the third floor, turn right, look for room 303)

How do you get to your hometown from the Tourism College?

My example: Take a taxi to the Hangzhou airport Take flight #6524 Take-off at12:20pm

Landing at 2:35pm Beijing Then take flight #188 Take-off at 5:50pm

from Beijing and Landing 6:15pm in Detroit (13h 25m)

Then take flight #5142 Take-off 8:20pm from Detroit and Landing 9:15pm in Cleveland

Then go to the arrivals floor of the airport and take a taxi to 26711 Midland rd. Bay Village OH

How do you get different places in your hometown from your house?

Examples: the bank, the supermarket, schools

ASKING AND GIVING DIRECTIONS

Can you tell me where the library is? I don't know where the theater is. Can you tell me how to get to the airport?  You can't miss it. I'm lost. Which way is the hotel? Right in front of you. It's on the second floor.

PART I: STREET NAME AND NEARBY LANDMARK

Language Points   It's on Pine Street. It's on 4th Avenue. It's on the corner of Fourth and Pine. It's next to the bank. It's across from the school. It's opposite the bookstore.

PART II: SUBWAY OR BUS DIRECTIONS

 Language Points   Take the Green Line to Central Station. Transfer to the Main Line. Get off at Market Station. Go out exit number 4.

PART III: DIRECTIONS BY FOOT OR CAR 

Language Points   Go down Main Street to Broadway. Turn left on Broadway. It's on your right.

PART IV: DIRECTIONS BY CAR ROUTE

Language Points   Take coastal highway. Take the Westminister turn off. Go over (Take) the Alex Fraser Bridge. Go through (Take) the Massey Tunnel.

North South East West Compass

Rose Globe Key Location

MAKE A MAP OF YOUR HOME TOWN

Include: supermarkets, banks, bus station, train station, tourist attractions, parks, your house, bodies of water, main streets

GIVE DIRECTIONS WITH YOUR MAP