ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
    • ESL Textbooks for Adults
    • ESL Textbooks for Children
  • Teacher Resources
    • Resources
    • Online TEFL Course

in Activities for Kids· ESL Games and Activities for Teenagers, University Students & Adults

Giving Directions ESL Activities, Games, Worksheets + Lesson Plans

Are you looking for some fun activities for giving directions ESL? Then you’re most certainly in the right place. We’re going to give you the rundown on the top 15 directions ESL games and activities, along with worksheets, lesson plans, online practice and basically everything you need to teach this popular unit in style!

giving-directions-esl

Directions ESL Activities and Games

Table of Contents

  • Top 15 Directions ESL Activities
  • Giving Directions ESL Worksheets
  • Directions ESL Online Practice
  • Lesson Plans for ESL Direction
  • How do you Tell Directions in English?
  • How to Teach Directions?
  • Did you like these Direction Games and Activities for English Learners?
  • Have your Say about Giving Directions ESL Games, Worksheets and More
  • Games, Activities & ESL Teaching Tips

Top 15 Directions ESL Activities

Without further ado, let’s get to the 15 best follow directions games and activities for ESL/EFL.

#1 ESL Giving Directions Activity: Role Plays

Using role plays is a fun way for students to get some practice with ESL giving directions. The way it works is that you can give students the start of a conversation, pretending that there’s an international student at your school. For example:

A. I’m new here, could you please tell me where the _____ is?

B. Oh, it’s ______.

A. Okay, I think I can find it. Is it ______?

B. ______

Students can fill in the blanks as they wish. Once completed, they can either perform the skit in front of the class, or just for you. Learn more about it here: ESL Role Plays.

#2: Picture Prompt with a Simple Directions Map

A quick introduction to this unit on ESL directions is to show a picture with a simple map on it. Then, you can ask the students for directions. For example, “I’m at the school but want to go to the library. How can I get there?”

Then, students have to give directions for you to follow. You might also consider using this as a review at the end of your class, or even for a test of some kind. It’s a versatile activity that fits well with giving directions ESL.

You can learn more about it here: Picture Prompt ESL Activity.

esl-directions-map

ESL Giving Directions Map

#3 Giving Directions ESL Game: 20 Questions

I’m sure you’ve played 20 questions before. It’s where someone thinks of a secret person, place or thing and other people have to ask yes/no questions to figure out what it is.

With some adaptation, you can also use this activity for directions. You can think of a secret place around your school and students have to ask questions to find out where it is. The questions should be related to directions and use vocabulary like next to, across from, to the left of, etc. I find that 20 questions is too easy, so I usually limit it to 10.

Do you want to give it a try? Check it out here: ESL 20 Questions Game.

#4: Hot Potato

This is a fun directions games that you can try out with your students. The way it works is that students pass around an object of some kind (a potato from home?) or something like a whiteboard marker. Then, when the timer goes off, the person holding it has to do something.

In this case, you could ask for directions for a place at your school. For example:

  • Where’s the bathroom?
  • Where can I find the principal?
  • Where’s Mr. Kim’s classroom?

Students will have to give directions to this place.

English Teaching Emergency: No Textbook, No-Prep, No Materials ESL/EFL Activities and Games for Busy...
4 Reviews
English Teaching Emergency: No Textbook, No-Prep, No Materials ESL/EFL Activities and Games for Busy...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 65 Pages - 11/12/2019 (Publication Date)
Check Price on Amazon

#5: ESL Board Games

Board games are one of my favourite things to do in real life and that’s why I like to use a few of them in my classes as well! If you want to make one for the ESL direction unit, here’s what you can do:

  • Find an ESL map with lots of different places.
  • Put it up on PowerPoint.
  • Design a game that asks for directions from either a single starting point, or from various starting points.
  • When a student lands on the square, they have to give directions based on what they see on the map.

Do you want to know more about how easy it is to design your own ESL board games? Then you’ll want to check this article out:

Board Games for ESL/EFL.

#6 Giving Directions ESL Activities: Yes/No Questions

When you think about it, asking for directions involves a lot of yes/no questions. For example,

  • Is the bakery around here?
  • Is the post office inside the pharmacy?
  • Can I see it from the bus stop?

Here are some of my top picks for activities and games to work on these questions: ESL Yes/No Question Activities.

esl-directions

ESL directions activities

#7: Task Based Learning Activities

There are all kinds of possibilities for task based learning and giving or following directions to find some place. Basically, students have to work together to accomplish a task. In this case, it’d be preparing some directions for someone else, or giving them to a partner to help them find something.

You can learn more about this style of teaching that lends itself to ESL directions quite well here: Task Based Teaching and Learning. 

#8: Videos for Learning English

Trust me on this one: There is a video on YouTube or English Central for any and every single ESL grammar point, vocabulary set or topic possible. There are a ton of different ways that you can use them in your classes, including as a warm-up or quick “test” activity at the end of the unit.

Do you want to know more? Then you’ll need to check this out: Using Videos in the ESL Classroom.

71 ESL Interactive Games, Activities & Teaching Tips: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults...
71 ESL Interactive Games, Activities & Teaching Tips: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 112 Pages - 06/14/2020 (Publication Date)
Check Price on Amazon

#9: Dialogue Substitution

Have you ever noticed that many ESL textbooks introduce this unit by showing a map and then having a dialogue of some kind? Students are supposed to read it with a partner, except that the only problem is that they often do this quite mindlessly.

A nice way to prevent this problem is to remove the directions from the dialogue. Then, students have to look at the map and figure out the correct way to fill in the blanks. This is ideal if students have a little bit of previous knowledge about directions.

Do you want to try this out with your students? You can find out more here: Dialogue Substitution.

#10: Vocabulary Auction

This fun game requires a good amount of prep, but the results can be great! I find that it’s worth it if I’m going to be teaching directions to a few different classes.

The way it works is that students receive a budget and then bid on words. In this case, they’ll be direction related. The goal is for each team to make as many true statements about their school as possible, using full sentences. Later on, they can trade words with other teams to assist them.

Do you want to give it a try? Learn more about it here: Vocabulary Auction ESL Game.

giving-directions-lesson-plan

ESL giving directions lesson plan

#11: Information Gap Activities

The information gap is where each student has one set of information and they have to work together to make the complete set. You can often find this activity in the unit for teaching directions in the teacher’s resource book or the student’s textbook. If you can’t, it’s easy enough to make your own by blanking out the names of buildings on a simple ESL map. You’ll want to do an A/B version with different things blanked out.

Then, students have to ask each other questions about where places are to fill in the blanks on their own map. Of course, they have to do this by speaking English with each other!

Do you want to find out more about this kind of teaching? Find out more here: Information Gap ESL Activities.

#12: Running Dictation

This ESL game is some English teaching gold! It covers all four skills in a fun, engaging way. And, it gets students up and out of their seats moving around the classroom. It’s perfect for the unit on teaching direction as well.

The way is works is that you find (or write) a dialogue with lots of directions in it. Perhaps something asking for information about how to get a certain place. Then, cut them up in strips and place them around the classroom.

Students have to work together to write down all the sentences, and then put them in the correct order to make a conversation. Do you want to try it out? You can get more details here:

ESL Running Dictation.

#13: Getting Directions ESL Listening Comprehension

A nice way to introduce getting and giving directions is with a listening comprehension activity.

#14: Telephone Review Game for ESL

If you want to review giving and getting directions, then consider playing this fun game for kids. The way it works is that students have to pass a sentence down the line from person to person until the end. At that point, they compare what they have with the original.

In this case, you’d want to focus your original sentences on directions vocabulary words to make it into a nice review activity. Find out more about how to play here:

Telephone Game.

#15: Whiteboard Race

A nice activity for following directions is this whiteboard race. Post some print outs of maps on the whiteboard so that all students can clearly see them. Clearly indicate various starting points (A, B, C).

Then, one student from each team comes up to the board and takes a marker. Tell students the starting point and then give some directions to get to a certain building. I generally speak quite quickly to make it more challenging. The first student to write the correct place gets a point for their team. Keep playing until everyone has had a chance.

follow-directions-games

ESL Teaching Directions

Giving Directions ESL Worksheets

Are you looking for an ESL directions worksheet? Here are some of our go-to sources for things you can use in class, or for homework to help your students with directions.

ISL Collective

Busy Teacher

Directions ESL Online Practice

If your students want some additional practice with ESL directions, then you’ll want to check out the following free resources:

Agenda Web

English Exercises

Lesson Plans for ESL Direction

Are you busy and stressed out? Maybe you’ll want a ready-made lesson that you can just print and go? We’re here to help! Here are two of our favourite giving directions lesson plans that are tried and true.

Busy Teacher

Lingua House

How do you Tell Directions in English?

Here are some of the most common ways to tell directions in English:

  • Go straight
  • Turn left/right
  • Go past
  • Cross the street
  • Roundabout
  • Sidewalk
  • Crosswalk
  • Across from
  • Next to
  • Behind/in front of

Giving Directions ESL

Check out this short video below for all the details you need to know about asking for and giving directions in English. It’s the perfect thing to show to your students so consider using it in your TEFL classes.

How to Teach Directions?

Here are some steps to follow if you want to teach directions:

  1. Warm-up (video, short discussion, etc.)
  2. Introduce key vocabulary
  3. Pronunciation practice
  4. Controlled practice
  5. Freer practice
  6. Follow-up activity
  7. (Optional) Homework

Did you like these Direction Games and Activities for English Learners?

101 ESL Activities: For Teachers of Kids (6-13) Who Want to Have Fun, Engaging and Interactive...
5 Reviews
101 ESL Activities: For Teachers of Kids (6-13) Who Want to Have Fun, Engaging and Interactive...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Smith, Jennifer Booker (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 133 Pages - 03/31/2016 (Publication Date)
Check Price on Amazon

Did you like this book? Yes? Thought so! Then the book you’re going to love is this one over on Amazon: 101 ESL Activities for Kids. The key to better English classes is a wide variety of interesting and engaging activities and this book will help you get there in style.

The book is available in both digital and print formats. Consider keeping the print one on the bookshelf in your office and then using it as a handy reference guide when doing lesson planning. Or, download the free Kindle reading app and take the e-version with you to your favourite coffee shop for lesson planning on the go.

Yes, it really is that easy to have lessons! Check out the book for yourself on Amazon, but only if you want a serious dose of some ESL teaching awesome in your life:

shop-now-amazon

Have your Say about Giving Directions ESL Games, Worksheets and More

What did you think about these ESL giving directions activities? Did you try out some of them, or do you have another recommendation for us? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy teachers, like yourself find this useful resource.

Last update on 2021-02-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related posts:

sports-esl-activitiesESL Sports Games, Activities, Worksheets & Lesson Plans esl-seasons-lesson-planSeasons ESL Activities, Games, Lesson Plans & Worksheets months-of-the-yearMonths of the Year: ESL Activities, Games, Worksheets & Lesson Plans weather-esl-games-activitiesESL Weather Games, Activities, Worksheets and Lesson Plans conjunction-activitiesConjunction Activities and Games, Lesson Plans & Worksheets

Games, Activities & ESL Teaching Tips

* indicates required

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 30 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
Facebook
Pinterest

« Present Perfect For and Since Activities, Worksheets, Lesson Plans
Choose your Own Adventure ESL Writing Activity »

Comments

  1. barton says

    at

    Love the idea about getting students to direct one another while wearing a blindfold. I think it’s going to be so fun and my kids are going to love it!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      at

      It’s definitely one of my favourite ESL activities. I think your students will love it. Let me know how it goes.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

Search ESL Speaking

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults
Check Price on Amazon
Sale 1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas for ESL/EFL Teachers (ESL...
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas for ESL/EFL Teachers (ESL...
Check Price on Amazon
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
Advanced English Conversation Dialogues: Speak English Like a Native Speaker with Common Idioms and...
Advanced English Conversation Dialogues: Speak English Like a Native Speaker with Common Idioms and...
Check Price on Amazon
Business English Vocabulary Builder: Idioms, Phrases, and Expressions in American English (Tips for...
Business English Vocabulary Builder: Idioms, Phrases, and Expressions in American English (Tips for...
Check Price on Amazon
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Grammar Activities and Games: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Grammar...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Grammar Activities and Games: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Grammar...
Check Price on Amazon
ESL Listening Activities for Teenagers and Adults: Practical Ideas for English Listening for the...
ESL Listening Activities for Teenagers and Adults: Practical Ideas for English Listening for the...
Check Price on Amazon

Online TEFL Courses

Get Certified Entirely Online

Jackie Bolen

Disclosure Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
  • Teacher Resources

Our Top-Seller

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities

esl-lesson-planning

ESL Lesson Plans for Adults, Beginners & More!

esl-conversation-lesson-advanced

Lesson Plans Advanced ESL Conversation Classes | English Conversation

esl-speaking-rubric

ESL Speaking Rubric | ESL Speaking Test Rubric

esl-animal-activities

ESL Animal Activities, Games, Worksheets and Lesson Plans

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL speaking since 2014 and the goal is to bring you the best recommendations for English conversation games, activities, lesson plans and more. It’s your go-to source for everything TEFL!

About and Contact for ESL Speaking.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Email: [email protected]

ESL Speaking on Facebook

ESL Speaking on Pinterest

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2021 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.