Directions ESL Games, Activities, Worksheets & Lesson Plans

If you’re looking for some fun ESL directions games and activities, along with worksheets, lesson plans and other teaching goodness, then you’re in the right place! Keep on reading for all the top picks for the ESL classroom.

ESL Directions Activities and Games

Let’s get into the best giving directions ESL activities.

#1: Bumbling Blindfold

A fun way for students to practice giving and getting directions it to do this activity! Send out 1-2 students into the hallway and then quickly set up an obstacle course of sorts in the classroom. Blindfold the students in the hallway and they can come into the classroom. Match up each person with a partner and they have explain how to get from one side of the classroom to the other.

This activity can get really loud and chaotic so I recommend not having more than four students doing it at the same time (2 giving and 2 getting directions). This makes it best for smaller classes when you can complete the activity in just a few rounds.

#2: Is that Sentence Correct?

A nice way to challenge students with both form and meaning is to find an ESL directions map and then make some sentences related to it. The sentences could include the following:

• Some correct sentences
• Sentences with errors in form (The bank is across the park.)
• Some with errors in meaning (wrong location on map)
• Sentences with both form and meaning errors

Students have to find incorrect sentences and then make the required changes. Try it out today:

https://eslactivity.org/english-grammar-activity-is-that-sentence-correct/

#3: Ball Toss Directions ESL Speaking Activity

A fun way to bring a bit of excitement into the classroom is to play this ball toss activity. Using a marker, write a bunch of directions word on a beach ball. Then, students toss the ball around the class and whoever catches it has to make a sentence using the word under their right thumb.

My two rules are that the sentence must be true and based on something they see around the classroom and also that the same sentence can’t be repeated twice. Check it out:

https://eslactivity.org/ball-toss-4-skills-esl-activity/

#4: Directions Songs and Chants

If you teach kids then you’ll certainly want to take advantage of some songs and chants that can be used for teaching about this topic. If you’re not musical, not to worry! There are a ton of great options on YouTube so have a look and you’re sure to find something that’ll work for your students.

#5: Dictogloss Giving Directions ESL Activity

If you teach more advanced students, consider trying out this challenging listening activity. Find (or write your own) passage of someone describing how to get somewhere. The more complicated the better!

Then, put students into pairs and read it out at a faster-than-normal pace. Students can take notes and then work together to try to recreate what they just heard. After that, read it again at a fast pace and students do the same thing.

At the end of the activity, students can compare what they have with the original version. Want to give it a try? Learn more here:

https://eslactivity.org/dictogloss-esl-listening-and-speaking-activity/

#6: Concentration Giving Directions Game

A fun way for students to get some practice with the basic direction vocabulary words is to play concentration. Make up some matching sets of cards. On one card put the direction (across from, behind, etc.) and then on the other card, put a picture of the word.

Put students into small groups and they have to play a matching memory game. To make it a bit more difficult, once they get a match, they can use the word in a sentence with objects that they see in the classroom. Find out more:

https://eslactivity.org/concentration-an-esl-vocabulary-game/

#7: Information Gap Map Activity

I love to use information gap activities in my classes. This is where each person gets half of the required information and then has to work together with a partner to put together the complete set. They can do this by asking and answering questions.

In this case, use the same simple map but omit some buildings in an A and B version. Then, students have to talk to their partner to find out which buildings aren’t labelled on their map. This is a classic activity that can often be found in ESL textbooks for this unit.

#8: Listening Lesson for Giving Directions

A nice way to introduce this topic is to find a conversation between two people where someone is asking for directions and the other person is giving them. It’s easy to plan an entire lesson around that! Find out how here:

#9: Dictation Practice for Directions

I know that dictation has kind of fallen out of favour in recent years but it can still be quite a valuable activity. In this case, use an ESL directions map on the PowerPoint. Then, dictate some questions to the students. For example:

• Where is the bank?
• I’m at the school. How can I get to the grocery store?

Students have to write down the questions that they hear and then answer the questions based on the map. Find out more:

https://eslactivity.org/dictation-practice-esl-writing-and-listening-activity/

#10: Direction Map Memory Challenge

A nice way to test out these new vocabulary words along with memory skills is to show a simple map on the PowerPoint. I like to include one with not only buildings but with a few cars, people, or random kinds of things too (a cat or dog).

Then, I give my students a couple of minutes to memorize as much as they can. After that, I take the picture down and then ask a series of questions about where things are. I also like to throw in a few other kinds of questions like what colour the car is for example. Students have to answer and the winner is the person with the most correct answers! I make a joke about that person would be the ultimate police officer!

#11: Mixed Up Sentences

A nice way to give students some more practice with making correct sentences is to do this activity. It’s ideal for in-class or as a homework assignment. Make some directions sentences but then mix up the order of the words. Check it out:

https://eslactivity.org/mixed-up-sentences-english-grammar-activity/

#12: Reading Lesson for Giving and Getting Directions

A nice way to introduce this topic is through a reading lesson. Find (or write) a conversation between two people that contains the relevant vocab. Then, plan an entire lesson around it. Follow these simple steps:

#13: Error Correction Relay Race

I like to use this game because it takes something old (error correction) and makes it new again. In this case, use an ESL map on the PowerPoint and then make a number of sentences that contain errors in form or meaning. Have a look at this fun relay activity:

https://eslactivity.org/error-correction-relay-race/

#14: Word Association

Unless your students are absolute beginners, it’s likely that they know at least a few directions words. Things like left, right, across from, behind, etc. are common vocabulary words for beginners to learn.

If this is the case, consider using eliciting to get these words from the students and then organize them into a kind of mind map on the board. This can be really useful for helping make new words more memorable because students have already activate their prior knowledge. Check it out:

https://eslactivity.org/word-association-an-esl-vocabulary-activity/

#15: Prepositions of Place Quiz

Check out this fun game that has much of the same vocabulary:

#16: Direction Role-Play

Create role-play scenarios where students act out giving and following directions. For example, one student can play a lost tourist asking for directions, while another student plays a local providing guidance. Encourage students to use vocabulary related to directions and landmarks to make the role-play more realistic.

#17: Direction Worksheets

Provide worksheets with maps or street grids and a set of directions. Students follow the directions and mark the path on the map. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary related to directions, prepositions, and landmarks.

#18: Direction Flashcards

Create flashcards with images representing different locations and landmarks (e.g., bank, supermarket, park, etc.). Students work in pairs or small groups. One student selects a flashcard and describes the location to their partner, who then tries to guess the place and gives directions to reach it.

#19: Scavenger Hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt where students follow a set of directions to find specific locations or objects within the school or classroom. Provide students with a list of directions, or give each team a set of clues that lead to the next location. The first team to complete the hunt successfully wins.

#20: Digital Mapping

Utilize online map services or mapping apps to practice giving directions. Students can take turns using digital maps to guide each other to specific destinations. They can also create their own digital maps with marked locations and share them with their peers to practice giving and following directions.

#21: Outdoor Exploration

Take the lesson outside the classroom and go on a field trip or a walking tour around the school or local area. Students can work in pairs or small groups and take turns being the guide or the navigator, providing and following directions to different locations.

ESL Direction Lesson Plans

There are a number of giving directions lesson plans to consider using. They can save lots of time if you’re a busy teacher with lots of different classes. Here are some of the best resources online:

Lingua House

ESL Library

Directions ESL Worksheets

If you’re a teacher, then you know how much time you save by using some worksheets that are already made! Here are some of the best ESL directions worksheets and ESL maps to choose from:

ISL Collective

English Worksheets

ESL Printables

Did you like these ESL Directions Activities? 

Yes? Thought so. Then you’re going to love this book that you can easily find on Amazon: 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults. The key to better English classes for teens or adults is a wide variety of interesting and engaging activities and games and this book will help you do just that.

You can find the book in digital, audio or paperback. Pick up a copy to keep on the bookshelf in your office to use as a handy reference guide. Or, take the e-version with you on any device to your favourite coffee shop to use for some lesson planning on the go. Finally, consider listening to the audio version on your commute for some inspiration on the go.

Whatever the case, this book is going to be some ESL teaching awesome in your life. Head over to Amazon to find out all the details you need to know:

FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about teaching directions to English learners. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

How can I teach directions to English learners?

You can teach directions to English learners by using visual aids, maps, and real-life scenarios. You can also incorporate vocabulary related to directions and practice giving and following directions in various contexts.

What are some essential vocabulary words related to directions?

Some essential vocabulary words related to directions are “left,” “right,” “straight ahead,” “turn,” “intersection,” “crosswalk,” “traffic light,” “north,” “south,” “east,” and “west.”

 How can I make teaching directions engaging for English learners?

You can make teaching directions engaging by using interactive activities such as role-plays, treasure hunts, or creating a model city where students give and follow directions. Incorporating technology and multimedia resources can also enhance engagement.

What are some effective teaching strategies for teaching directions?

Some effective teaching strategies for teaching directions include providing clear explanations, using gestures and body language to demonstrate directions, using real-life examples and situations, providing plenty of practice opportunities, and gradually increasing the complexity of directions as students progress.

How can I assess the understanding of directions in English learners?

You can assess the understanding of directions in English learners by conducting oral or written quizzes where they give or follow directions. You can also observe their performance in role-plays or real-life scenarios where they need to navigate and provide directions accurately.

How can I help English learners improve their listening skills for following directions?

You can help English learners improve their listening skills for following directions by providing audio recordings or videos of directions in different contexts. Encourage them to listen actively, take notes, and ask questions for clarification. Gradually increase the complexity and speed of the directions as their listening skills improve.

What are some common challenges English learners face when learning directions?

Some common challenges English learners face when learning directions include understanding prepositions and spatial relationships, differentiating between left and right, comprehending complex directions, and adjusting to unfamiliar landmarks or street names.

Directions ESL Games and Activities: Join the Conversation

Do you have a top pick for teaching directions activities? Is it one of the options from this list or do you have another one that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

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Last update on 2022-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API