Travel & Culture - Asking for and Following More Detailed Directions (Intermediate)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up)

Let's discuss understanding and giving more complex directions!

When asking for directions, what kind of specific details do you find most helpful (e.g., landmarks, street names, estimated walking times, number of blocks)?
What challenges can arise when trying to follow more detailed directions, especially in an unfamiliar environment or if there's a language barrier?
Describe a time you received very clear (or very confusing) directions. What made them effective or ineffective? How did you manage if they were unclear?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some key terms and phrases for asking for and understanding detailed directions at an intermediate level.

1. Landmark (noun): An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance, often used as a reference point in directions.

Example: "Continue straight past the big red Landmark, which is the old post office."

2. Intersection / Junction (noun): A point at which two or more roads meet.

Example: "Turn left at the next major Intersection where you see the traffic lights."

3. Parallel to (prepositional phrase): (Of lines, planes, surfaces, or objects) side by side and having the same distance continuously between them.

Example: "Walk down Oak Street; the park will be Parallel to the river on your right."

4. Bear left / right (verb phrase): To turn or incline slightly in a particular direction, rather than making a sharp turn.

Example: "When the road forks, Bear left and continue up the hill."

5. A stone's throw (idiom): A very short distance.

Example: "The cafe is just A stone's throw from the main square, you can't miss it."

6. Get your bearings (verb phrase): To figure out your position or orientation relative to your surroundings.

Example: "Let me just look at the map to Get my bearings before we continue."

Activity 3: Reading - Navigating by Detail 📖

Read this story about a traveler following detailed directions to a hidden gem.

Maria wanted to find a small, locally recommended bookstore that wasn't on her main tourist map. She asked her hotel concierge for directions. The concierge explained, "It's a bit tucked away, but worth finding. First, head south on Elm Street for about three blocks until you reach a major Intersection with a large fountain – that's a key Landmark. At that fountain, don't turn sharply, but Bear left onto Willow Lane. Continue on Willow Lane; it runs Parallel to the main river for a while. You'll pass a small bakery with a blue awning. The bookstore is just A stone's throw past the bakery, on your right-hand side, next to a flower shop."

Maria thanked him and set off. She focused on the details: Elm Street south, three blocks to the fountain Landmark. At the Intersection, she carefully Bear left onto Willow Lane, noting how it ran Parallel to the river. Spotting the bakery with the blue awning gave her confidence. And just as described, a little further on, she found the charming bookstore. She was glad she had asked for detailed directions and paid attention. It helped her Get her bearings in an unfamiliar part of the city and discover a place she might have otherwise missed. She felt a sense of accomplishment navigating by these specifics rather than just relying on her phone's GPS for everything.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What was the first major Landmark Maria was told to look for?
What did "Bear left" mean at the intersection with the fountain?
How was Willow Lane positioned in relation to the river?
What does the idiom "A stone's throw" indicate about the distance from the bakery to the bookstore?
How did following detailed directions help Maria beyond just finding the bookstore?

Activity 4: Role Play - Clarifying Complex Directions 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Mr. David Chen (Tourist asking for directions), and the other is Ms. Sarah Miller (Local giving directions).

Mr. David Chen: Excuse me, I'm trying to find the "Hidden Garden Cafe." My map app is a bit confusing around here. Can you help me Get my bearings?

Ms. Sarah Miller: Of course! It's a lovely spot, but a little tricky. From here, you need to go down this street until you reach the second Intersection. You'll see a tall clock tower, a prominent Landmark, on your left.

Mr. David Chen: Second intersection, clock tower on the left. Got it. Then what?

Ms. Sarah Miller: At that Intersection, don't take a hard right, but Bear right onto a smaller cobblestone street. That street runs Parallel to the main shopping avenue for about 200 meters.

Mr. David Chen: So, Bear right onto a cobblestone street that's Parallel to the main shopping avenue. Okay.

Ms. Sarah Miller: Exactly. Keep going until you see a small park on your left. The Hidden Garden Cafe is just A stone's throw from the park's main gate, tucked behind a large oak tree.

Mr. David Chen: A stone's throw from the park gate, behind an oak tree. That sounds very specific. Thank you! That's much clearer than my app.

Ms. Sarah Miller: You're welcome! It's easy to miss if you don't know about the oak tree Landmark. Enjoy your coffee!

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What was the first key Landmark Ms. Miller told Mr. Chen to look for?
Explain what Ms. Miller meant by "Bear right" in her directions. How is it different from a normal right turn?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Following Instructions ✍️

Help Anna (Tourist) complete her part of a conversation where she's trying to confirm directions she received. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

Friend on Phone: So, Anna, did you find the art gallery I told you about?

Anna (Tourist): Not yet! I'm trying to . You said to go past the big cathedral, that's my main , right?

Friend on Phone: Yes, past the cathedral. Then, at the next big , you should see a park on your left.

Anna (Tourist): Okay, I see the park. You said the gallery street runs the park, not directly into it?

Friend on Phone: Exactly. And when the street splits, make sure to , don't go straight.

Anna (Tourist): Got it. You said it's just from that point?

Friend on Phone: That's right! You should be there in no time. Let me know when you arrive!

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨