ASKING FOR & GIVING DIRECTIONS

In HCMC, Vietnam

Discussion Questions

Have you ever gotten lost? (was it in the street? In a building? a new city?)

What were you looking for?

Which photo best represents how you feel when you get lost?

A

B

CD

What’s usually your order of operations when you get lost? (rank the following)

___Call someone for directions

___Use Google Maps on your phone

___Ask a nearby person for help

___ Give up & do something else

___Try to find your own way

“When I have to go somewhere I’ve never been before, I usually…”

a) Find out the exact directions before I go.

b) Go to the general area, then look around (for signs) when I get there.

c) Take a taxi

d) Find the correct street, then call someone for specific directions.

e) Other

Which area of HCMC do you know best? Which areas are you unfamiliar with?

Read the sentences and talk about the differences between them based on tense

A) I’m lost.

B) I got lost.

C) I get lost.

D) I’m getting lost.

A) I’m lost.The action is finished, but I’m still lost.

B)I got lost.Action finished in the past, I’m no longer lost.

C) I get lost.Present simple, therefore – it’s a general statement.

D) I’m getting lost.

I’m in the process of getting lost; getting confused; could be lost, but not sure.

a) I would have helped you if I knew you were lost.

b) I would help you if I knew you were lost.

a) I would have helped you if I knew you were lost. You were lost (in the past); You didn’t ask me to help. But, if you had – I would havehelped you.

b) I would help you if I knew you were lost.

If you ever get lost, you can ask me to help – because I will help you.

a) I have looked for the address for a long time.

b) I looked for the address for a long time.

a) I have looked for the address for a long time.I have been looking (in the past), and I’m still looking for the address.

b) I looked for the address for a long time.

In the past, I looked for the address – but now I’m doing something different. (either Ifound the address or I gave up.

a) What were you doing when you missed the street?

b) What did you do when you missed the street?

a) What were you doing when you missed the street?

What action was happening before you missed the street?

b) What did you do when you missed the street?

What action did you take (your reaction) when you missed the street?

Direction Descriptions

If you’re ever lost and need to ask for directions, there are a few different ways to ask someone.

How many different ways can you ask someone where an ATM is?

1) Can __________________________?

2) Where ________________________?

3) What _________________________?

4) Do ___________________________?

5) Which_________________________?

If you’re ever lost and need to ask for directions, there are a few different ways to ask someone.

How many different ways can you ask someone where an ATM is?

1) Can you tell me where an ATM is? you tell me where there’s an ATM?

2) Where is the nearest ATM? is an ATM?

3) What is the best way to get to an ATM?

4) Do you know where an ATM is?

5) Which way is the ATM?

To get to the HCMC Zoo, you should go s________ o_______Le Duan Street, u________ you c_____ to Nguyen Binh Khiem.

You will easily find the zoo.

To get to the HCMC Zoo, you should go straight onLe Duan Street, until you come to Nguyen Binh Khiem

You will see the zoo out front.

What building or business is O_________ (acrossfrom) Notre Dame Cathedral?

What building or business is Opposite (acrossfrom) Notre Dame Cathedral?

The HSBC building / Coffee Bean

To get to the bank, you’ll go straight – past twoT_________L_______s, and then turn left.

To get to the bank, you’ll go straight – past twoTraffic Lights, and then turn left.

*Can also say “stop light”

“How can I get from District 8 to District 1?”

“It’s easy. You can take Vo Van Kiet and go a________ the Saigon river.”

“How can I get from District 8 to District 1?”

“It’s easy. You can take Vo Van Kiet and go along the Saigon river.”

a) “Excuse me, can you tell me where the art gallery is?

b) “You just passed it. You should t_____ a______ and go b___ 2 blocks.”

a) “Excuse me, can you tell me where the art gallery is?

b) “You just passed it. You should Turn Around and go back 2 blocks.”

* Blocks = streets

What does this street sign mean?

No u-turns

What can you tell me about this street?

(hint: Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ly Tu Trong, Le Thanh Ton are also like this.)

What can you tell me about this street?

(hint: Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ly Tu Trong, Le Thanh Ton are also like this.)

They’re one-way streets

Example:

“Please turn left here.”

“Sorry sir, but that’s a one-way street. We must go up one more street.”

What is the couple doing?

They’re crossing the street

Example: “To get to Galaxy Cinema, turn right and go down the alley, then cross the street. You’ll see the cinema.

A) “I’m at your apartment; which building do you live in?”

B) “I live in Block A. From the entrance, go straight. You’ll see Block A O______ the Right.

A) “I’m at your apartment; which building do you live in?”

B) “I live in Block A. From the entrance, go straight. You’ll see Block A On the Right.

A: “Where’s city hall?”

B: “It’s a___ the e____ o____ Nguyen Hue street.

A: “Where’s city hall?”

B: “It’s at the end of Nguyen Hue street.

Vincom 2 sits D_______________ from Vincom 1

Vincom 2 sits Diagonal from Vincom 1 Diagonally

The Hotel Continental is located a___ the c_____ of Le Loi & Dong Khoi

The Hotel Continental is located at the corner of Le Loi & Dong Khoi

What if someone asked you directions and youdidn’t know the way / don’t know how to explainit in words?

What can you say to them?

- I’m sorry, I’m not from here.- I’m afraid I can’t help you.- Sorry I don’t know my way around here.

You can offer another solution - You could ask a taxi driver.- You should ask someone in a hotel/front desk.- Follow me. I’ll show you the way.(if it’s near)- Do you want me to draw you a map?