Where's the Bank? Asking for Directions in English
Learn to ask for and give simple directions in English. This free A1 lesson for adult beginners introduces places around town, direction phrases, and prepositions of place. Its 12 interactive slides include audio conversations, a video quiz, map activities, a missing-word exercise, and a guided directions writing task.
What you will learn
- Identify community places such as the bank, library, and park.
- Ask where a place is and how to get there.
- Give simple directions using go straight, turn left, and turn right.
- Describe locations with next to, opposite, in front of, and behind.
- Follow a map and write a short set of directions.
Places around town in English
The conversations and map activities use common places you can find in a town. Practice saying each name and finding it on the lesson maps.
- Bank: a place for banking services.
- Library: a place to read and borrow books.
- Park: an outdoor place to walk, relax, or play.
- Post office: a place to send letters and parcels.
- Hospital: a place where people receive medical care.
- Supermarket: a shop that sells food and other everyday items.
- Train station and bus station: places to catch a train or bus.
Other places in the activities include a museum, cinema, market, sports centre, hotel, and police station. Replace the place name when practicing a question: Where is the bank? Where is the library?
How to ask for directions politely
Begin with Excuse me to get someone's attention politely. Then use one of these questions:
- Excuse me, where is the bank?
- How can I get to the bank?
- Can you tell me how to get there?
- Can you tell me the way to the museum?
Where's is a short form of where is. Listen to the audio conversations and practice both forms. After someone helps you, say Thank you. A polite reply is You're welcome.
Giving simple directions
Use short instructions in the order the person needs to follow them. The lesson introduces these useful phrases:
- Go straight ahead / Go straight on: continue in the same direction.
- Turn left: change direction to the left.
- Turn right: change direction to the right.
- Go past the school: continue beyond the school.
- Turn right at the lights: use the traffic lights as a landmark.
Connect instructions with then: Go straight ahead, then turn left. Add a landmark to make the route clearer: Turn left at the park.
Prepositions of place: describing locations
Direction phrases explain how to move. Prepositions of place explain where something is. Use the pictures and audio to practice these location words.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Next to | The bank is next to the post office. |
| Opposite | The supermarket is opposite the park. |
| In front of | The car is in front of the house. |
| Behind | The museum is behind the cinema. |
| Between | The shop is between the bank and the library. |
| Near | The hospital is near the bus station. |
The phrase around the corner describes a place that is nearby after a turn. For example: The bank is just around the corner.
A short directions conversation
Visitor: Excuse me, how can I get to the bank?
Local person: Go straight ahead, then turn left at the park. The bank is next to the post office.
Visitor: Thank you.
Local person: You're welcome.
Practice with a partner. Take turns asking and giving directions, then change the destination and landmarks to create another conversation.
Map and listening practice
Watch the video and listen for direction phrases and landmarks. In the map quiz, find each place before choosing an answer. Complete the missing-word conversation about the museum, then study the listening map and decide whether each spoken location sentence is true or false. Replay the audio when needed and compare it with the script after answering.
Writing practice: directions to your home
Use the wrap-up guide to write a short route. Include a street, a turn, and a landmark. Here is an example you can adapt:
Go straight along Green Street. Turn right at the park. My house is opposite the library.
Read your directions aloud and check that the instructions are in the correct order. Use a simple sketch map to help a partner follow your route.
Using the interactive lesson
Start by reviewing daily routines in the warm-up. Continue with the directions video, audio conversations, and vocabulary pictures. Complete the map quiz, missing-word task, and listening activity before writing your own directions. Finish by sharing a phrase you learned.
Teachers can model a route on a map before learners take turns giving directions. For self-study, pause each audio example, repeat the phrase, and practice a short route aloud.
Review daily routines in Lesson 6, or browse more free A1 English teaching materials.