Activity

Directions around NYC

Could you tell me the way to... How long does it take? Giving directions in groups to various places.

Thanks a lot to Englipedia Archive who first posted this activity using the exact grammar points I wanted to use. I changed SanFran to NYC instead and used NYC locations and a few street names as well.

Target language: 1.Could you tell me the way to.... 2.How far is it from here?

First, introduce the places using the powerpoint. You can ask students for similar places in Japan.

Next, practice the dialogue in the textbook "Here We Go!" pg. 60 and have the students read in pairs. Review any unfamiliar words.

The activity: I had them play in lunch groups or if you prefer, groups of 4 to give each student more practice.
* Demo the dialogue on the worksheet with the JTE first, then practice with the students as they follow along.
1. Give each group of students a set of cards (8 cards) and each student takes a card and will give directions to that place.
2. The first student is A and the student on the right is B. Following the dialogue, A will give B directions while the rest of the group listens and draws the directions on their map while taking notes.
3. When finished with the dialogue, Student B becomes A and Student C becomes B. This switching of roles continue until all group members have had a chance to give directions to the place on their card.

  • While waiting for the class to start, I played "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys. I also played it in the background softly, while they were doing the activity. Or you can do the the Frank Sinatra version.
Files:
Medium files (requires an account to download) -
  • New York City Directions Worksheet.pdf (1.79 MB)
  • 10 Things to do in New York City-mediumfiles.pdf (3.19 MB)
  • 11
    Submitted by Nippon24 September 17, 2024 Estimated time: 50 minutes
    Inspired by Ways To SF
    1. Miki248 September 18, 2024

      Thank you for this! Could you please provide google link of the powerpoint file or compress the file to less than 40MB?

    2. Zoe A September 27, 2024

      Is there a PowerPoint that goes with this? It looks like amazing fun for the kids

    3. Nippon24 September 30, 2024

      Zoe, the "10 Things" pdf is the powerpoint. If you click on it it will show. You can download and convert it to whichever format works for you.

    4. Castilleja linariifolia November 1, 2024

      Thanks for posting this. It provided a great framework for my lessons for this textbook page. To adapt it to my students level (low), I took out one step in the directions, So, on my map I just had your one row of subway stations at the bottom and one row of destinations at the top (took out the middle row where they transfer to another mode of transportation).
      I had students do the activity in pairs rather than groups. The "tourist" would ask the "guide," "Could you tell me the way to ~?" And the "guide" would say, "Sure. Take the subway and get off at ~. Then (take bus #~, take a taxi, take the ferry, walk, bike) to (destination)."

      It worked! Thanks again!

    5. Nippon24 November 8, 2024

      @ tanahigo, I'm glad it worked for you and I like your edit to the activity. I'll definitely give your idea a try for my lower level classes next time.

    Sign in or create an account to leave a comment.