Student Outcome
  • -Able to give simple, clear direction when dealing with a person with little or no English.

Giving Simple Directions

Click on the Play button to start the introduction video.

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  • Show Me!

  • Show Me!

    Giving Directions

    Click on the Play button to start the video.

    Click to read a summary of the video

    Australia is a popular tourist destination and attracts tourists with different language and cultural backgrounds.

    Effective communication styles are needed to give directions to tourists. Directions need to be kept simple and short so that they are easy for people to remember.

    When giving directions to guests with little or no English use:

    • hand gestures.
    • keywords.
    • maps.
    • landmarks.

    A hotel should always have a clear local map at the front desk. Mark the hotel on the map and use it to:

    • give a guest clear directions using words and gestures.
    • show locations of landmarks and distinctive buildings.

    When using your hands to indicate a direction, always use an open hand gesture as some actions commonly used in Australia can be rude gestures in other countries and cultures.

    REMEMBER

    To help overcome a language barrier and communicate effectively with a guest:

    • use a map whenever possible.
    • use street names and landmarks to describe a route.
    • use keywords.

    Speak clearly when giving directions, but don't raise your voice.

  • Show Me!

    Dialogue of Directions

    Click on the Play button to start the video.

    Click to read a summary of the video

    You need to listen carefully and give clear and polite directions to guests. You need to be familiar with phrases and words that can be used, such as:

    • Go straight ahead.
    • Go past ....... (landmark)
    • Take the first left/right turn.
    • Take the next turn.
    • It's two blocks down/up this street on your left/right.
    • Keep walking /driving until you see the ....... (landmark)
    • Cross the bridge/street.
    • Go around the corner/turn the corner.
    • Go through the park.
    • Directly opposite or diagonally opposite ....... (landmark).

  • Say It

    There are 2 parts in this section.

    1. The Glossary

    The glossary lists the more difficult words related to the topic in alphabetical order. The glossary also gives the meaning for each word.

    2. Look, Cover, Write, Check!

    This activity gives you practice at remembering and writing the words from the glossary.

  • The Glossary

  • Do It: Words of Direction

    The ability to give clear directions is an important task for anyone who works in the hospitality industry. It is important that when giving directions or instructions to people, you try to keep them simple and short so that it is easy for people to remember and understand.

    Jump to Activities

  • Do It: Using Words of Direction

    Knowing the correct language of 'position' is the first step to giving clear directions.

  • Do It: Using Words of Direction in Sentences

  • Do It: Giving Clear Instructions in Dialogue

    There are many phrases and words that can be used when asking or giving directions. You need to be familiar with these to successfully respond to guest enquiries about directions. Most importantly you need to know your direction words, listen carefully and give clear and polite directions to a guest.

Check It

Check It Quiz

Click on Give Simple Directions to begin.

Give Simple Directions
  • Introduction
  • Show Me
  • Say It
  • Do It
  • Check It

Look, Cover, Write, Check!

Try to memorise the following word.
When you are ready, click the mouse in the textbox below and try to spell the word correctly.
  • gestures
  • keywords
  • landmarks
  • opposite
  • locate
  • entrance
  • corner
  • beside
  • between

Words of Direction

Listen to each audio, then click and drag the images to the correct sentences.
The blowtorch is on the kitchen bench.
The spare docket rolls are beside the docket printer.
The chemicals are on the shelf.
The tourists are on opposite sides of the boat.
The chef is calling out orders in the kitchen.
The yellow board is between the red and blue boards.
The ingredient is in the bowl. The bowl is on the scales.
The baskets are next to each other in the deep fryer.
I have an hour before my appointment at 1pm.
I need to be at my meeting in town by 3pm. Could you call a taxi please?

Using Words of Direction

Stephen has visited the museum and wants to return to the hotel. He would like to have a coffee and do some shopping on the way. He requests directions from the Museum attendant. The attendant uses the map to help with directions.

Drag and drop the words to correctly complete each sentence.
on
coffee
straight out
on the corner
entrance
between
Excuse me. Can you show me
 
this map where I can get a
 
please?
Go
 
here and walk two blocks. There is a café
 
.
Drag and drop the words to correctly complete each sentence.
shopping
Department Store
entrance
on the corner
between
I need to do some
 
too.
You can see the
 
from the café. The
 
is in Ruby Street.
Drag and drop the words to correctly complete each sentence.
back to
straight down
two blocks
Department Store
between
Do you need to go anywhere else?
Just
 
the hotel.
If you walk
 
Ruby Street for
 
you'll be back at the hotel.

Listen and Follow

Listen to the following audio and click on the words you hear.

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straight ahead
down
along
Listen to the following audio and click on the words you hear.

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get off at
get on at
get in at
Listen to the following audio and click on the words you hear.

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one block
three blocks
two blocks down
Listen to the following audio and click on the words you hear.

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directly opposite
opposite
diagonally opposite