Finding Your Way with Public Transport and Directions.

In this mid course checkpoint lesson you get around a new city using English. You practise asking for and understanding directions in the street, in stations and at tourist information offices. You review and extend question patterns from earlier lessons to ask about buses, trains, metro lines and trams. You learn key words for tickets, passes, platforms and timetables, and you practise checking times and journey lengths so you do not miss connections. Listening tasks train you to catch landmarks and prepositions such as next to, opposite and around the corner. You also work with short maps and transport signs so you can link spoken directions to what you see. Finally, you bring everything together in role plays that combine asking for help, checking prices, confirming times and repeating back plans. By the end you can move around a city more independently and feel more confident using public transport in English.

1. Getting from the station to the city centre.

You have just arrived in a new city after a long journey. You walk out of the train and you are standing in a busy station. You can see lots of people, some signs, maybe a small map, but you are not sure how to get to the city centre. In this block, we will focus on exactly that situation. You will hear and see a short model conversation at the information desk, and you will notice some very useful question patterns such as, “How do I get to the city centre?” and “Is it far from here?”. You will also hear how the information assistant explains the transport, price, time and where to get off. After that, you will do a short listening task where you answer a few simple questions about a very similar conversation. Listen carefully for the type of transport, the number or line, the journey time and the name of the stop. Remember, you do not need every word. Focus on the key information, and do not be afraid to listen more than once if you need to.

Scene: At the information desk in Harbour City Station.

Imagine you have just arrived at Harbour City Central Station. You want to go to the city centre, but you do not know which bus or tram to take, or how long it will take.

You go to the information desk and say:

> Traveller: Excuse me, how do I get to the city centre?

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> Assistant: The easiest way is by tram. Take tram number 2 from outside the main entrance.

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> Traveller: Is it far from here?

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> Assistant: No, not really. It takes about 15 minutes.

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> Traveller: Which stop do I get off at?

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> Assistant: Get off at City Square, that is the third stop.

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> Traveller: Thank you, that is very helpful.

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> Assistant: You are welcome.

Useful question patterns.

Notice how the traveller asks clear, simple questions:

• How do I get to the city centre?
• Is it far from here?
• Which bus should I take to the museum?
• Where do I get off?

We can make these questions sound softer and more polite by adding small words:

• Excuse me, how do I get to the city centre, please?
• Sorry, is it far from here?

These patterns are very flexible. You can change the place:

• How do I get to the airport?
• Which bus should I take to the old town?
• Where is the nearest metro station?

In the listening at the bottom of this block, you will hear a similar conversation. Your job is to catch the type of transport, the number or line, the price, the journey time and the stop name. Use the question patterns above to help you predict what you are going to hear.

Practice & Feedback

Now listen to another short conversation between a traveller and an information assistant at Harbour City Central Station. You will hear it in the audio just below. After you listen, answer these questions in full sentences:

1. What transport does the assistant recommend?
2. What is the number or line of the transport?
3. How much is a single ticket?
4. How long does the journey take?
5. At which stop does the traveller need to get off?

Write your answers in clear, simple English. You can listen to the audio more than once. Try to use complete sentences, for example: The assistant recommends the tram. or The journey takes about fifteen minutes. Do not worry about spelling every word perfectly, but do try to include all the important information you hear.

2. Understanding street directions with landmarks.

Now that you can ask how to get somewhere, the next challenge is to understand the answer. In the street or at a station, people often use **landmarks** and **prepositions** when they give directions. They say things like, "Go past the bank", "It is next to the museum" or "The stop is around the corner". In this block, you will work with typical street directions and focus on these small but very important words. They help you connect what you hear with what you see on a simple map. On the screen, you will see some example directions from a tourist information office to a museum. Read them slowly and notice how the speaker organises the steps in order, and which words show **position** and **movement**. Then you will read a new text with similar directions and rewrite them in your own words as clear, numbered steps. Try to keep the journey logic the same, but you can change little details like "go straight" to "walk along". This practice will help you follow real directions more confidently when you are travelling.

Language for following directions in the street.

When someone answers your question, "How do I get to the city centre?" or "Which bus should I take to the museum?", they usually give you directions in steps. They often use landmarks and prepositions to make the route clear.

Look at this example. You are at the Tourist Information Office and you want to walk to the City Museum:

> Assistant: Go straight ahead for about two minutes until you reach the main road.

> Turn left at the traffic lights.

> Walk past the bank and the supermarket.

> The museum is opposite the park, next to the big church.

> You will see the entrance on the corner.

Key prepositions and phrases.

From this short text we can notice useful words for position and movement:

• straight ahead, along the street, around the corner (movement)
• at the traffic lights, on the corner, at the end of the road (position)
• next to, opposite, in front of, behind, near (relation to landmarks)
• go past, turn left at, turn right at, cross the road (actions)

These little words are essential when you listen to directions. Often, you do not need every other word. If you catch the verbs and prepositions plus a few landmarks, you can usually follow the route.

In the reading activity below, you will see another set of directions. Your task will be to rewrite them in your own words as clear steps, using several of the prepositions above.

Practice & Feedback

Read the directions in the text below carefully. Imagine you are standing at the Central Metro Station and you want to walk to the River Art Gallery. Your task is to rewrite the directions as 3–5 clear, numbered steps in your own words.

When you write:

• Keep the same basic route and landmarks, but you can change some phrases slightly.
• Use at least five of the prepositions and phrases from the lesson, for example: straight ahead, past, opposite, next to, at the corner, around the corner.
• Make each step a full sentence, starting with a verb like Walk, Go, Turn or Cross.

Write your steps in order, like:

1. Walk straight ahead...
2. Turn left at...

This will help you organise directions clearly for yourself and for other people.

3. Asking about tickets and day passes.

Being able to move around the city is not just about directions. You also need to understand **tickets, passes and prices**. In many cities you can buy a single ticket, a return, or a day pass that lets you travel many times. The good news is that the questions you need are quite simple. In this block, we will focus on useful phrases to use at a ticket office or machine, such as, "How much is a day pass?" and "Does this bus go to the airport?". On the screen, you will read a short dialogue between a traveller and a metro clerk. Notice how the traveller explains their plan first, then asks about the best ticket. After that, in the activity, you will see a small price list for Harbour City transport. Your task will be to write your own questions to the clerk, using the information in the list. This will help you become more confident when you stand in front of a real ticket window or a ticket machine and you want to be sure you choose the right option.

Scene: At the metro ticket office.

You are at Harbour City Central Metro Station. You want to visit different places today, including the museum and the old town.

> Traveller: Excuse me, which bus should I take to the museum?

> Clerk: You can take bus 5 or 7, but the metro is faster.

> Traveller: I see. I want to travel around today. How much is a day pass for the metro and buses?

> Clerk: A day pass is £6.50. It includes all buses and metro lines in zones 1 and 2.

> Traveller: And what time is the last train back to the centre?

> Clerk: The last metro is at midnight.

> Traveller: Great, I will take a day pass, please.

Useful questions at a ticket office.

Here are some practical question patterns you can reuse:

• How much is a single ticket to the city centre?
• How much is a day pass?
• Does this bus go to the airport?
• Where do I change for line two?
• What time is the last train?
• Which platform does the train leave from?

To sound polite, add a short introduction or softener:

• Excuse me, I would like to go to the airport. How much is a ticket, please?
• Sorry, where do I change for line two?

In the activity below, you will look at a simple price list and then practise writing your own questions to the clerk using these patterns.

Practice & Feedback

Read the small price list below. Imagine you are standing at the ticket office in Harbour City Central Station. You want to travel today and you are not sure which ticket is best.

Your task: Write 4–6 polite questions to ask the clerk, using the information in the list.

When you write:

• Use at least three of these chunks: How much is a day pass, Does this bus go to the airport, What time is the last train, Where do I change for line two.
• Add a short polite beginning like Excuse me or Sorry.
• Focus on clear, simple B1-level sentences. You do not need long, complex grammar.

Imagine you really want to understand the options clearly before you pay. What would you ask?

4. Chatting with a local on the platform.

Real life is not always about speaking to official staff. Very often, you will speak to **other passengers** standing next to you at a bus stop or on the platform. These conversations are usually short and friendly. In this block, we will practise a more informal, chat-style interaction. Imagine you are waiting for the metro. You are not sure where to change for line two or which stop is closest to the museum. Next to you there is a local person who looks friendly. You decide to ask for help. The language is similar to what you use with staff, but the style is a bit more relaxed. On the screen, you will see an example of a short text-chat conversation between a traveller and a local. Notice the very short messages, the simple questions and the way the traveller checks understanding with messages like, "So I take the bus to the station and then the metro" or "I get off at the third stop, right?". In the activity, you will write your own little chat asking a local for help. This is great practice for situations on WhatsApp, or when you are using an app to chat with a host or a friend in the city.

Example: Short chat with a local traveller.

Imagine this is a WhatsApp chat. You are at Park Street Station and you want to go to the City Museum.

> You: Hi, sorry to bother you. I am at Park Street Station. Where is the nearest metro station for the museum?

> Local: Hi! You are already at a metro station. Take line 1 towards Central.

> You: Thanks! Where do I change for line two?

> Local: Change at Central Station.

> You: And which stop is closest to the museum?

> Local: Get off at Museum Gardens. It is the third stop.

> You: So I get off at the third stop, right?

> Local: Yes, that is right. The museum is about 5 minutes on foot.

> You: Great, thank you, that is very helpful.

Phrases that work well in chat.

Short, clear messages are perfect in chat:

• Where is the nearest metro station?
• Does this bus go to the airport?
• Where do I change for line two?
• Is it far from here?
• Could you show me on the map, please? (if you are in person)

To check understanding, repeat the route back:

• So I take the bus to the station and then the metro?
• So I get off at the third stop, right?

In the activity below, you will write a similar chat. Imagine you are really asking for help in a new city. Keep your messages friendly and simple.

Practice & Feedback

Imagine you are in Harbour City, standing at a tram stop called River Park. You want to go to the History Museum, but you are not sure which tram to take or where to change. You send a message to a local person you met on a tour yesterday.

Write a short chat conversation as if it were on WhatsApp or a similar app. Write 6–10 short messages from you (do not write the local's messages). Put each of your messages on a new line, like in a real chat.

In your chat:

• Start with a friendly greeting and a short explanation of your problem.
• Ask at least three clear questions, for example using: Where is the nearest metro station, Which bus should I take to the museum, Where do I change for line two, Is it far from here.
• Check the route at the end, using a sentence like: So I take tram 4 and get off at... right?

Clara will reply as the local person and also give you feedback on your English.

5. Checking times and repeating back your route.

You now have language for asking directions and for talking about tickets. The next step is to **put everything together** so you do not miss your bus, train or connection. A very useful strategy is to ask about times and then **repeat the route back** to the other person. This shows that you have understood, and it gives them a chance to correct you. In this block, you will work with a simple timetable for Harbour City. On the screen you will see bus times and metro times. Imagine you are at your hotel and you need to be at the **Science Museum** by ten o'clock. You want to ask at the tourist information desk how to get there and check if you will be on time. First, read the timetable carefully. Then look at the short example of a traveller repeating back their route. After that, in the activity, you will write a short paragraph that explains your own plan, including the **time you leave**, the **transport you take**, **where you change** and **what time you arrive**. Try to use phrases like, "So I take the bus to the station and then the metro" and "I get off at the third stop, right?".

Harbour City – Sample timetable.

You are staying at Harbour Hotel near Harbour Park. You want to visit the Science Museum in the city centre.

Bus 12 – Harbour Park to Central Station

Metro line 2 – Central Station to Science Museum

Example conversation.

> Traveller: Excuse me, how do I get to the Science Museum? I need to be there by 10:00.

> Assistant: Take bus 12 from Harbour Park to Central Station, then change to line 2 on the metro. Get off at Science Museum station.

> Traveller: What time is the next bus from Harbour Park?

> Assistant: At 09:00.

> Traveller: So I take the bus to the station and then the metro. I get off at the second stop, right?

> Assistant: Yes, that is right. You will arrive at about 09:30.

Strategy: repeat back your route.

When someone explains a route, repeat it back using your own words:

• So I take bus 12 to Central Station and then line 2 to the museum.
• So I get off at the second stop, right?

You can also check times:

• What time is the last train back?
• Is that enough time to get to the museum by ten o'clock?

In the activity below, you will use the timetable to create and explain your own route in writing.

Practice & Feedback

Use the timetable above to plan a route from Harbour Park (your hotel area) to the Science Museum. Imagine you are asking at a tourist information desk, and then you repeat the plan back to check it.

Write a short paragraph of 4–6 sentences where you:

1. Say what time you want to arrive at the museum.
2. Say what time you will leave Harbour Park.
3. Explain which bus and metro line you will take and where you change.
4. Repeat the plan back clearly using phrases like: So I take the bus to the station and then the metro and I get off at the third stop, right?

Use the times in the timetable and make a realistic plan. Focus on clear, logical steps and correct times more than on perfect grammar.

6. Full conversation at the transport information desk.

We are now at the final stage of this lesson. You have practised asking for directions, understanding landmarks and prepositions, asking about tickets and passes, chatting with locals, and checking times and routes. In this last block, you will put all of these skills together in one complete conversation. Imagine it is late afternoon in Harbour City. You are at **Central Station information desk** and you need to get to the **airport** this evening. You are a bit tired, and you want to be absolutely sure you catch the right bus or train and you do not miss your flight. You will need to ask about the best transport, the price, the platform or stop, and the time of the last train or bus. You will probably also need to repeat the route back to check you understood. On the screen, you will see a simple checklist of what a good conversation should include, plus some example opening and closing lines. Your task will be to write the whole dialogue: both your lines and the assistant's lines. This is your mini performance for the lesson. Do not worry about being perfect. Focus on covering all the key points in clear, polite English.

Final task: from the station to the airport.

You are at Harbour City Central Station information desk. You need to go to Harbour City Airport this evening.

A good conversation at the information desk usually includes:

• A polite greeting.
• A clear question about where you want to go and when.
• Questions about transport options (bus, train, metro).
• Questions about tickets and prices (single, day pass, airport bus).
• Questions about times (next bus, last train).
• Information about platforms, stops or where to change.
• Repeating back the route to check understanding.
• A polite ending.

Useful chunks to reuse.

Try to include some of these chunks from the lesson:

• How do I get to the city centre / airport?
• Does this bus go to the airport?
• How much is a day pass?
• What time is the last train?
• Where do I change for line two?
• Is it far from here?
• Could you show me on the map, please?
• So I take the bus to the station and then the metro.
• I get off at the third stop, right?
• Thank you, that is very helpful.

Your mini performance.

In the activity below, you will write a full dialogue of at least 10 lines. You will be both the traveller and the assistant. This will help you prepare for real conversations when you travel.

Practice & Feedback

Write a complete conversation between you (the traveller) and the information desk assistant at Harbour City Central Station. Your goal is to find out how to get to Harbour City Airport this evening.

Write at least 10 lines. Start each line with Traveller: or Assistant: so it is clear who is speaking.

In your dialogue, try to:

• Greet the assistant politely and explain where you want to go and when.
• Ask about transport options and prices (for example, airport bus, train, metro).
• Ask at least one question about times (for example, What time is the last train?).
• Ask where to change or which platform or stop to use.
• Repeat the route back with a sentence like: So I take the bus to the station and then the metro or I get off at the third stop, right?
• End the conversation politely.

Use the useful chunks from the box above. Focus on clear, natural B1 English. Clara will give you feedback and a short example.