Getting Around Town (classroom activity, 40-50 minutes)
This activity fits well into any unit involving giving directions, transportation and/or city places.
You will need pictures of common things found in a city (e.g. post office, bank, library, apartments, super market, central park, etc.). At the beginning of class hold up the pictures and make sure everyone knows what the places are.
Split the class in two teams and stick the pictures to the blackboard. Call one person from each team up and have them stand on opposite sides of a desk. Read a place description to them (e.g. you mail letters at this place…). If they know then they should slap their hand on the desk. The first person to slap their hand can guess the place you are describing. If they get it right they get a point, but if it’s wrong they get -1 point (this avoids random guessing).
After all the places have been finished you will start a new game. Split everyone in to teams of 2-4. Each team should have a copy of the same map. The map will have parks, banks, all the places described at the beginning of class, and more (I just draw this map, but you can also find plenty of free downloads online. You might find something good here http://www.eslprintables.com/). You will play a listening tape or read a script. The script will be a set of directions. The students should listen to the directions carefully and then write down the final destination of where the directions are leading. You may need to play the tape a few times if the students get lost. I find that three sets of directions usually fills up the class. I’ve included part of a script below to give you an idea of what a script should sound like.
After they have all written answers, collect the answer papers and record the scores. Students add points from their first game to points on this game. You can decide what to give winners.
Example Script:
“You are at the bank now. Go down Main Street towards Hall Bridge. Cross the bridge and then take an immediate left on Harker Road. Continue on Harker road and go past ABC Supermarket. You will see Central Park on your right side. Go past Central Park and the place you’re looking for is on your right hand side. It’s at the intersection of Harker Road and Bloom Street.”