What's the best entry point for this topic?

Basic prepositions (in/on/under) using real classroom objects -- it's concrete and immediately checkable.

When should direction-giving be introduced?

Once prepositions and basic place nouns are solid, usually a level or two after the initial introduction.

How do I make directions practice realistic?

Use a real local map or a simplified drawing of the school/town rather than an abstract grid -- familiarity helps students engage more naturally.

How to Teach Places and Locations Vocabulary in ESL (2026)

Places is a broad topic that covers everything from "where's the spider?" prepositions in early lessons to asking for directions in a real town later in the curriculum. Taught in sequence, it builds one of the most practically useful skill sets in the whole course.

Why Places Works So Well

Location language is immediately testable in the physical classroom -- a book really is on the table, a bag really is under the chair. That concrete grounding makes prepositions and place vocabulary easier to teach than more abstract topics.

Core Vocabulary

Start with prepositions: in, on, under, next to, behind. Add place nouns (school, park, shop, hospital, town) once prepositions are solid, then combine the two for full descriptions.

The Grammar That Pairs Naturally

Places is the natural home for prepositions of place ("It's on the table") and, at a higher level, for asking and giving directions ("Excuse me, where is the...?" / "Go straight, then turn left").

Speaking Activities That Work

1. Where is it? hide and describe. Hide an object; students ask "Where is it?" and describe using prepositions once found.

2. Classroom map. Students describe where objects or people are located in the actual classroom. 3. Give directions. Using a simple map (real or drawn), students practise asking for and giving directions to a location.

4. My town. Students describe places in their own town or city, building descriptive fluency around real, familiar locations.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Confusing "in," "on," and "at" for locations (a persistent, high-frequency error across many levels)
Word order errors when giving directions ("Turn left then" instead of "Then turn left")
Mixing up "go straight" with "go straight on" -- both are used, but consistency helps lower levels

Ready-Made Places Lessons

Visual English covers places and prepositions across the curriculum:

Where Is The Spider? -- Book 1, prepositions of place
Excuse Me, Where Is...? -- Book 3, asking for directions
Where Are You From? -- Book 2, countries and nationalities

See the full set on the Places topic page.

Conclusion

Places vocabulary moves from concrete classroom prepositions to genuinely useful real-world navigation skills. Build the foundation with physical, checkable examples, and direction-giving becomes a natural extension rather than a hard jump.