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TravelSpeaking roleplay

Asking for directions in English

Ask the way, check the bus stop and repeat the directions back, out loud, with a local who reacts to what you say.

Your level

  • Chrislocal person on the street
  • 3 levels
  • Speak, or type

Chris, local person on the street

Are you looking for something? You look a bit lost.

Your goal Get directions, check the details and ask about the bus.

Example conversation: asking for directions

How the roleplay can go at each level, with answers that work. In the roleplay, Chris reacts to your own words, so it can go differently.

BeginnerAsk how to get somewhere and repeat the directions back.
  1. Chris

    Hi, you look a bit lost. Can I help?

  2. You

    Yes, please. How do I get to the station?

  3. Chris

    Oh, I know it. It's not far. Go straight on and turn left at the lights.

  4. You

    Straight on, then left at the lights?

  5. Chris

    Yes, that's it. It's on the right, next to the bank. Okay?

  6. You

    Is it far?

  7. Chris

    No, it's five minutes on foot. Do you want me to show you on the map?

  8. You

    Yes, please. That's very kind.

  9. Chris

    Look, we're here. It's just there. Enjoy your day!

IntermediateGet directions, check the details and ask about the bus.
  1. Chris

    Are you looking for something? You look a bit lost.

  2. You

    Yes. Could you tell me the way to the museum?

  3. Chris

    The museum? You can walk, it's twenty minutes, or take the 14 bus.

  4. You

    I'll take the bus. Which stop do I get off at?

  5. Chris

    Get off at the third stop, Park Gate. When you get there, it's the big building on your left.

  6. You

    So it's on my left, the big building?

  7. Chris

    Right. Anything else you'd like to know?

  8. You

    Can I pay by card on the bus?

  9. Chris

    You can pay on the bus with a card. Enjoy the museum!

Upper intermediateDeal with confusing directions, ask for a better route and chat on the way.
  1. Chris

    You okay there? Is your map sending you in circles?

  2. You

    Yes, it keeps sending me the wrong way. I'm looking for the Old Mill café.

  3. Chris

    It moved to the river. The market's quickest, but packed today.

  4. You

    I don't mind crowds. I'll go through the market.

  5. Chris

    Brave. Keep left, it's quieter. I'm heading that way, actually. I can walk you halfway.

  6. You

    That's really kind of you, thanks.

  7. Chris

    Come on, then. So what brings you here? Just visiting?

  8. You

    Yes, just visiting for the weekend.

  9. Chris

    Oh, nice. From here it's straight down. You can't miss it.

Useful phrases

The phrases the roleplay listens for at each level. Use one and it lights up in the roleplay.

Beginner

  • Excuse me, how do I get to…?
  • Is it far?
  • Left at the lights?
  • Can you show me on the map?
  • Thanks for your help.

Intermediate

  • Could you tell me the way to…?
  • I'll take the bus.
  • Which stop do I get off at?
  • So it's on my left?
  • Can I pay by card on the bus?

Upper intermediate

  • It keeps sending me the wrong way.
  • Is there a quicker way?
  • That's really kind of you.
  • I think I can take it from here.
  • I'm just visiting.
  • go straight onkeep walking the same way
  • the lightsthe traffic lights
  • on footwalking
  • get offleave the bus
  • a stopa place where the bus stops
  • open till sixopen until six o’clock
  • in circlesround and round, getting nowhere
  • packedvery full of people
  • you can't miss itit's very easy to see

Common mistakes

Things people often say here, and a more natural way to say them. If you say one in the roleplay, you see the fix under your answer.

  • Instead ofWhere is the station is?

    SayWhere is the station?

    Use “is” only once: where is the station?

  • Instead ofIs far?

    SayIs it far?

    English needs “it” here: is it far?

  • Instead ofI go to left?

    SayI turn left?

    We “turn left”, with no “to”.

  • Instead ofHow I can get to the museum?

    SayHow can I get to the museum?

    In questions, the verb comes first: how can I…?

  • Instead ofWhich stop do I go down?

    SayWhich stop do I get off?

    You get on and get off a bus.

  • Instead ofWhere do I go down from the bus?

    SayWhere do I get off the bus?

    You get on and get off a bus.

  • Instead ofThank you for your helping.

    SayThank you for your help.

    “Help” is the noun here: thanks for your help.

  • Instead ofThe map is showing me crazy.

    SayThe map keeps sending me the wrong way.

    Use “keeps…” for something that happens again and again.

  • Instead ofWhich is the quickest way?

    SayWhat's the quickest way?

    Ask “What’s the quickest way?”

  • Instead ofYou don't need to accompany me.

    SayYou don't need to walk with me.

    “Accompany” sounds formal in a chat.

  • Instead ofI'm here for holiday.

    SayI'm here on holiday.

    We say “on holiday”.

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