Directions are one of the most practical parts of English. You use them when you travel, visit a new city, meet someone, or help a stranger. The goal is not to sound advanced. The goal is to be clear, short, and easy to follow.

This anchoring script gives you the core language for:

asking for directions
giving directions
checking understanding
handling confusion
using public transport language
understanding maps and signs

The most important rule is simple:

Give one step at a time.

The structure of good directions

Good directions usually follow this order:

Starting point
Main movement
Landmark or street
Next step
Final location check

Example:

Start at the station.
Go straight for two blocks.
Turn left at the bank.
The café is next to the pharmacy.

Short sentences are easier to understand than long explanations.

1) The core movement words

Learn these first. You will use them every day.

Basic movement

go straight
turn left
turn right
cross the street
go past
keep going
stop at
follow the road
take the first left
take the second right

Distance

one block
two streets
five minutes
about 200 metres
near
far
around the corner

Position

next to
between
opposite
in front of
behind
on the corner
at the end of the street

2) Asking for directions

Keep your question simple. Most people want to help, but they need a clear question.

Basic questions

“Excuse me, where is [place]?”
“How do I get to [place]?”
“Could you help me find [place]?”
“Is this the way to [place]?”

Polite opening

Start with:

“Excuse me…”
“Sorry to bother you…”

This helps the conversation start smoothly.

3) Understanding directions

Many learners know how to ask, but not how to check understanding.

This is the important skill.

Confirmation phrases

“So I go straight, then left?”
“Did you say the second street?”
“After the bank, right?”
“Let me repeat that.”

If someone speaks too fast

“Could you say that more slowly?”
“Could you repeat the last part?”
“Could you show me on the map?”
“Could you point in the direction?”

If you are lost

“I think I’m lost.”
“I’m trying to get to [place].”
“Am I going the right way?”

These are practical survival phrases.

4) Giving directions clearly

When giving directions:

use short sentences
avoid too many landmarks
avoid long stories
pause between steps

Good example

Go straight for two blocks.
Turn right at the supermarket.
Walk past the bus stop.
The hotel is on your left.

Weak example

Well, you go down there where the old cinema used to be, then maybe…

The second version creates confusion.

5) Landmark language

Landmarks help people stay oriented.

Common landmarks

bank
pharmacy
traffic lights
bridge
station
supermarket
church
park
petrol station / gas station
roundabout

Useful phrases

“You’ll see a bank on your right.”
“Go past the church.”
“It’s opposite the station.”
“It’s next to the supermarket.”

6) Street crossing and traffic language

Crossing

“Cross the road.”
“Use the pedestrian crossing.”
“Go through the underpass.”
“Take the footbridge.”

Traffic terms

traffic lights
junction / intersection
crossroads
roundabout
lane

Roundabout directions

Many learners find roundabouts difficult.

Example:

At the roundabout, take the second exit.

Practice:

first exit
second exit
third exit

7) Public transport directions

Transport English is slightly different because it includes routes, lines, and transfers.

Bus

“Take the number 24 bus.”
“Get off at Central Station.”
“It’s three stops from here.”

Train / metro

“Take the blue line.”
“Change at Alexanderplatz.”
“Get off at the next stop.”
“Which platform do I need?”

Taxi

“Could you take me to this address?”
“Please stop here.”
“How long will it take?”

Many transport systems publish maps and travel guidance online. For example, Transport for London explains routes, stations, and journey planning clearly. (tfl.gov.uk)

8) Using maps and phone navigation

Maps are useful, but spoken English still matters. Batteries fail. Signals fail. Sometimes you need human help.

Useful map phrases

“Can you show me where we are?”
“Which direction is north?”
“Is this street name correct?”
“I think I passed it.”

If using your phone

“My map says turn left here.”
“The app says it’s nearby.”
“I lost signal.”

Google Maps also explains how to use walking, public transport, and offline navigation features. (support.google.com)

9) The “chunking” method

Do not give ten steps at once.

Break directions into chunks.

Bad version

Go straight, left, right, second exit, cross bridge, then…

Better version

First, go straight to the bridge.
Then cross it.
After that, turn left at the traffic lights.

Chunking helps memory.

10) Full dialogue examples

Dialogue 1: Asking for a café

You: Excuse me, where’s the nearest café?
Person: Go straight for one block. Turn left at the traffic lights. It’s next to the bank.
You: So I turn left at the lights?
Person: Yes.
You: Great, thanks.

Dialogue 2: Asking for the station

You: Sorry to bother you. How do I get to the station?
Person: Walk straight ahead. Cross the bridge. The station is on your right.
You: About how long does it take?
Person: Around ten minutes.
You: Thank you.

Dialogue 3: Metro directions

You: Which line goes to the airport?
Staff: Take the green line and change at Central Station.
You: Which platform?
Staff: Platform 4.
You: Thanks.

11) Common problems and fixes

Problem: too much information

Fix:

Ask for one step at a time.
Repeat the important step.

Problem: street names are hard to hear

Fix:

Ask the person to spell it.
Ask for landmarks instead.

Useful phrase

“Could you spell the street name, please?”

12) British and American differences

Most direction language is the same, but a few words differ.

British English	American English
pavement	sidewalk
underground	subway
roundabout	traffic circle
petrol station	gas station

You do not need to memorise every difference. Just recognise them.

13) Pronunciation tips

Directions often fail because numbers and left/right sound unclear.

Practice:

left / right
fifteen / fifty
third / thirteenth
south / south-east

Speak slowly when giving numbers and street names.

14) Safety language

Sometimes you need urgent help.

Useful emergency phrases

“I’m lost.”
“I need help.”
“Can you call a taxi?”
“Where is the nearest hospital?”
“Can you show me on the map?”

If travelling internationally, official tourism and transport sites often provide maps and visitor guidance. For example, the official Berlin tourism site includes public transport and city orientation information. (visitberlin.de)

15) Practice activities

Activity 1: Map partner work

Student A has a map. Student B does not.
Student A gives directions to:

a café
a station
a pharmacy

Goal:

short steps
clear landmarks

Activity 2: Lost tourist role-play

One student is lost. One gives help.

Required phrases:

“Go straight.”
“Turn left/right.”
“Next to…”
“Cross the street.”

Activity 3: Repeat and confirm

After hearing directions, repeat them:

“So first I go straight, then I take the second right?”

This builds listening accuracy.

Quick phrase bank

Asking

“Where is…?”
“How do I get to…?”
“Is it far?”

Giving

“Go straight.”
“Turn left/right.”
“Cross the street.”
“It’s next to…”

Clarifying

“Could you repeat that?”
“Did you say the second street?”
“Can you show me on the map?”

External links

https://tfl.gov.uk/
https://support.google.com/maps/
https://www.visitberlin.de/en
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/topics/travel-and-tourism/directions-and-instructions/

Giving Directions and Understanding Directions in English