English - Asking Directions

Lesson 107 of 139

A learner asking for directions in an English-speaking city — practice asking and giving directions.

Goal: Short phrases to find places and give simple turns

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome! This short lesson helps you ask and give basic directions when you are walking in a city. Try listening, repeating, and practicing small quizzes — fast and friendly.

Level A1: In Lesson 107 you'll practice key direction phrases like “Do I turn at ___?”, “Go past ___.” and “It's across from ___.” This CEFR-aligned mini-lesson focuses on small question and instruction frames you can use right away when asking or giving directions.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and say common direction phrases for walking routes.
  • Use simple frames to ask where to turn and to tell someone how to go.
  • Build confidence with short practice and speaking aloud (Level A1).
A street scene where a person asks for directions — useful for learning direction phrases.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Do I turn at ___?

Ask if one should turn at a specific place

Meaning: Ask if you should turn at a specific place

When to use: When you are unsure if you should change direction at a landmark or intersection.

Tip: Don’t add extra prepositions like “on” (wrong: “Do I turn on the bank?”).

Do I turn at the bank?
Do I turn at the bank?
Do I turn at the traffic light?
Do I turn at the traffic light?

Go to ___.

Give instruction to continue to a point

Meaning: Tell someone to continue to a point

When to use: Use this when you want someone to walk or go to a named place.

Go to the post office.
Go to the post office.
Go to the corner and wait.
Go to the corner and wait.

Go past ___.

Give instruction to pass a place

Meaning: Tell someone to pass a place while going

When to use: Use when you want the person to walk past a landmark without stopping.

Tip: Avoid adding extra words like “to” after “past” (wrong: “Go past to the cafe”).

Go past the cafe and you'll see it.
Go past the cafe and you'll see it.
Go past the school, then turn right.
Go past the school, then turn right.

Cross ___.

Give instruction to cross a street or area

Meaning: Tell someone to cross a street or area

When to use: Use this when the route requires crossing a street, bridge, or square.

Cross the street at the corner.
Cross the street at the corner.
Cross the bridge to reach the park.
Cross the bridge to reach the park.

It's across from ___.

Say a place is across from another place

Meaning: Say a place is on the opposite side of something

When to use: Use this to point out a landmark directly across from another place.

It's across from the library.
It's across from the library.
The shop is across from the bus stop.
The shop is across from the bus stop.

It's between ___ and ___.

giving a location between two landmarks

Meaning: Say a place is between two landmarks

When to use: Use this when a location sits in the middle of two known places.

It's between the bakery and the bank.
It's between the bakery and the bank.
The cafe is between the post office and the park.
The cafe is between the post office and the park.

It's in front of ___.

giving a location in relation to something visible

Meaning: Say a place is in front of something visible

When to use: Use this when a destination is directly in front of a clear landmark.

It's in front of the supermarket.
It's in front of the supermarket.
The taxi stand is in front of the hotel.
The taxi stand is in front of the hotel.

It's behind ___.

giving a location behind a landmark

Meaning: Say a place is behind a landmark

When to use: Use this when a destination is located to the rear of a building or landmark.

The parking lot is behind the cinema.
The parking lot is behind the cinema.
It's behind the small shop on Main Street.
It's behind the small shop on Main Street.

Take the first ___.

giving a simple turn instruction by order

Meaning: Give a turn instruction by order (first/second)

When to use: Use this to tell someone which turn to take (e.g., first left, second right).

Tip: Don’t add “on” before left/right (wrong: “Take the first on the left”).

Take the first left.
Take the first left.
Take the first right after the traffic light.
Take the first right after the traffic light.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Asking for a nearby building

Two people talking on a sidewalk while one gives directions — listen for the target phrases.

What building does David mention as the landmark across from the place?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Excuse me — do I turn at the bakery?

Excuse me — do I turn at the bakery?

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

No. Go past the bakery and go to the big bank.

No. Go past the bakery and go to the big bank.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Is it across from the library?

Is it across from the library?

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Yes. It's across from the library. Take the first left after the bank.

Yes. It's across from the library. Take the first left after the bank.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Should I cross the street now?

Should I cross the street now?

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Cross the street after you take the first left.

Cross the street after you take the first left.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase do you use to ask if you should change direction at a place?

You want someone to walk beyond a bakery and keep going. Which phrase fits best?

Which phrase describes a place on the opposite side of another place?

Which instruction asks someone to move from one side of the street to the other?

The bank is on the other side of the library. You can say: It's across from the library.

The bank is on the other side of the library. You can say: ___.

Walk past the bookstore and then take the first left.

Walk past the bookstore and then ___.

When you reach the road, cross the road.

When you reach the road, ___.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Do I turn at ___?

Ask if one should turn at a specific place

Say this phrase out loud:

Go to ___.

Give instruction to continue to a point

Say this phrase out loud:

Go past ___.

Give instruction to pass a place

Say this phrase out loud:

Cross ___.

Give instruction to cross a street or area

Say this phrase out loud:

It's across from ___.

Say a place is across from another place

Say this phrase out loud:

It's between ___ and ___.

Give a location between two landmarks

Say this phrase out loud:

It's in front of ___.

Say a place is in front of something visible

Say this phrase out loud:

It's behind ___.

Say a place is behind a landmark

Say this phrase out loud:

Take the first ___.

Give a simple turn instruction by order