Topic: directions

  • On the Run Directions PPT Game

    On the Run Directions PPT Game

    I had a lot of trouble finding a PPT game to teach about giving directions in English that was both relevant to my lesson and not too complex or high level. That’s why I decided to design my own PPT game to teach a lesson on giving directions with transportation methods and prepositional phrases, complete with sound effects, transitions, and animations!

    Key Expressions

    In this game, students are shown a map like this:

    Students choose a place to “rob” and give directions to get there. The teacher then clicks on the building to reveal either a cash reward or a fine from the police!

    I wanted to make sure the transportation methods were very clear (subway or bus) and that students are not confused about how to use the target language.

    My students do better when given a structure to follow, so I made sure that with this game, they are able to practice using the same key expressions over and over again.

    For example, in the practice/explanation section of this PPT, I introduce sentences such as: “How can I get to the library?”, “You can get there by subway“, and “Take line 2.”

    You can also have students use prepositional phrases when explaining how to move to another location. For example: “You can get there by subway. Take line 2. It’s next to the bookstore.”

    You can move the red pin around the map to indicate your current location by clicking on one of the gray circles at each location on the map. This way, students are able to practice giving directions from any point on the map to any other point without getting confused about where they are.

    There are 4 maps with 8 locations each, so there will be 32 total chances to practice speaking if each student chooses a location one by one. Once all the locations on one map have been visited and closed, you can “skip town” and go to the next map.


    You can download the full PPT game below.

  • Directions Battle Ninjas Activity Sheet

    Directions Battle Ninjas Activity Sheet

    Here’s an activity sheet for the ESL/EFL game Battle Ninjas but with a different topic: asking and giving for directions, modes of transportation, and locations.  

    It is designed to be printed doubled sided on A4 paper and cut into quarters, so you can play 2 rounds while saving as much paper as possible. Make sure when you print, it’s set to two-sided, flip on the long edge!

    Download the Instructions PPT and read about how I play this game in my other post: Battle Ninjas Speaking Game PPT and Worksheet.

    Here’s the PDF version of the acitvity sheet:

    You can also download it as a pptx file if you want to edit this version yourself:

    This activity aligns with the YBM (Kim) Grade 6 curriculum, lesson 7 “How Can I Get to the Police Station?”(교통수단/위치).