Travel & Culture - Bus Manners

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

Let's talk about being polite on the bus!

What are some polite things to do when waiting for a bus?
What are some polite things to do when you are on the bus?
Have you ever seen someone being impolite on a bus? What did they do?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some important words and phrases about bus manners!

1. Queue / Line up: To wait in a line, one behind the other.

Example: "Please Queue nicely while waiting for the bus."

2. Offer your seat: To let someone else sit down, especially an elderly person or someone who needs it more.

Example: "It's kind to Offer your seat to an older passenger."

3. Quiet voice: To speak softly so you don't disturb other passengers.

Example: "Please use a Quiet voice when talking on your phone."

4. No littering: Do not leave your trash on the bus.

Example: "Remember, No littering. Take your rubbish with you."

5. Thank the driver: To say "thank you" to the bus driver when you get off.

Example: "It's polite to Thank the driver as you exit the bus."

Activity 3: Reading - A Ride on the Bus 📖

Read this story about good manners on a bus.

Tom and his friend Lisa were excited for their trip to the city museum. They decided to take the public bus. At the bus stop, they saw a few other people already waiting. Tom noticed everyone was standing in an orderly fashion, so he and Lisa joined the Queue up behind them. When the bus arrived, they waited patiently, allowing an elderly couple and a parent with a small child to board first. Once on the bus, Tom spotted an older gentleman looking for a place to sit. Without hesitation, Tom stood up to Offer his seat to him. The gentleman smiled warmly and said, "Thank you, young man, that's very kind of you." Lisa, meanwhile, was telling Tom about a funny movie she had seen, but she remembered to use a Quiet voice so as not to disturb the other passengers who were reading or resting. During their journey, Lisa finished a small snack. She carefully put her wrapper in her bag, remembering the No littering signs on the bus. She knew it was important to keep the bus clean for everyone. When their stop was announced, both Tom and Lisa made sure to press the stop button in advance. As they got off at the front of the bus, they both looked at the driver and said, "Thank you!" The driver nodded and smiled. They felt good knowing their polite actions made the bus ride a pleasant experience for themselves and others.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What did Tom and Lisa do while waiting for the bus with other people?
What polite thing did Tom do for the older gentleman on the bus?
How did Lisa make sure not to disturb others when talking to Tom?
What did Lisa do with her snack wrapper, and why?
What did Tom and Lisa do when they got off the bus, and who did they do it to?

Activity 4: Role Play - Discussing Bus Etiquette 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Anna, and the other is Ben. They are on a bus.

Anna: It's quite crowded today, isn't it?

Ben: Yes, it is. I always try to Offer my seat if I see someone who needs it more, like that pregnant lady earlier.

Anna: That's very kind of you. I also think it's important to use a Quiet voice when talking on the phone. Some people can be so loud!

Ben: I agree. And it really bothers me when people leave their trash. No littering should be a simple rule to follow.

Anna: Definitely. At the bus stop, it's good when everyone can Queue up properly too. It makes boarding much smoother.

Ben: True. And I always try to Thank the driver when I get off. They have a tough job.

Anna: Me too! It's just a small thing, but it shows respect.

Ben: Exactly. Good bus manners make the journey better for everyone.

Anna: I couldn't agree more.

Ben: Oh, this is my stop. See you later, Anna!

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What are two examples of good bus manners Ben and Anna talked about?
What rule did Ben say should be simple to follow regarding trash?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Polite Passenger ✍️

Help Maria (Passenger) complete her thoughts about bus manners. Use words from Activity 2!

Maria (Thinking): Okay, I'm at the bus stop. It's important to so everyone can get on easily.

Maria (Thinking): (On the bus) Oh, that older man looks tired. I should to him.

Maria (Thinking): I need to call my friend, but I'll make sure to use a so I don't disturb anyone.

Maria (Thinking): I finished my snack. I must remember: ! I'll take my wrapper with me.

Maria (Thinking): (Getting off) This is my stop. I should before I leave.

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨