1. ESL Lesson Plans
  2. Beginner

Giving directions

Exclusive
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Beginner/A1
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Functional Language
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
45-60 min
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Low-Resource
Print pdf version of this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Download lesson plan

Overview

In this beginner ESL lesson, we'll be equipping our students with the essential language skills required to give and understand directions. By the end of this class, our students will feel at ease using important phrases and terminology to locate places on a map, allowing them to navigate themselves with confidence in practical situations.

The lesson plan starts with a suggested boardwork example, illustrating one approach to presenting the target language. Students will then engage in several low-resource activities, collaborating with classmates to give and interpret directions. To cement their understanding and bring a touch of fun to the learning process, we conclude with a classroom game designed to reinforce the skills learned.

Lesson Outline
Activities
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Boardwork
1How do I get to _?
2Where does it lead?
3You are here
4Directions role play
Games
1Blindfold
Print pdf version of this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Download Lesson Plan
Unlock this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Become a Member

Classroom activities

Low-resource ESL lesson plan

Use of the board

The students learn the language they need to navigate themselves between places on a map.

Start by pre-teaching the directional instructions and adding them to the top right-hand side of the board along with their L1 translations. After that, draw a map of a town, elicit the names of different places and add them to the board. Finally, mark a starting point and work through some directions as a group. Do this as many times as you feel necessary.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.
Low-resource ESL activity

How do I get to __?

A writing activity where students use the new language to create directions of their own.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.
Low-resource ESL activity

Where does it lead?

Students have to interpret a partner's instructions and guess the destination.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.
Low-resource ESL activity

You are here

This speaking activity will challenge students to apply the target language for the lesson.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.
Low-resource ESL activity

Directions role play

Students get the chance to act out a scene that uses the new language from this lesson.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.

Classroom games

Low-resource ESL activity

Blindfold

Students have to guide a blindfolded partner through an obstacle course. 

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.