Excuse Me, Where Is...? ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 3 · Unit 14Elementary · Ages 8–11

Excuse Me, Where Is...?

This giving directions ESL lesson teaches town vocabulary, prepositions of place and useful navigation phrases. Students follow instructions, read partner maps and ask 'Excuse me, where is the...?' They create a Mini Town Map and roleplay giving step-by-step directions around a classroom town.

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Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Elementary

Age group

Ages 8–11

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Ask and give simple directions
• Understand and use location prepositions
• Identify common places in town
• Follow a town map and respond to prompts
• Make a Mini Town Map craft
• Practise a partner map-reading activity

Lesson flow

Children follow 'Turn left! Go straight!' commands, sing a directions song pausing to ask 'Where is the café?', and match town-location flashcards with prepositions like 'next to' and 'opposite'. The second lesson reads a mini map answering a partner's questions, builds a Mini Town Map labelling places with direction arrows, and roleplays asking for directions around a classroom 'town'.

Target language

  • • 'Excuse me, where is the ___?'
  • • 'It's next to the ___'
  • • 'Go straight. Turn left.'
  • • Prepositions of place

Key vocabulary

  • straight
  • turn
  • left
  • right
  • corner
  • traffic lights
  • crossing
  • near
  • far
  • directions

Speaking questions students answer

  • • Excuse me, where is the post office?
  • • Where is the bank?
  • • Where is the bus stop?
  • • Where is the museum?
  • • Which way is the school?

Recommended teaching contexts

• Elementary ESL and EFL classes• Ages 8–11• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching places vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Follow direction commands in a warm-up drill, ask for directions using a mini map, make a Mini Town Map and roleplay asking directions. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "Excuse me, where is the post office?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

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