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Unit 08 · Pages 92–102

Directions and Getting AroundJidka iyo Tilmaamaha

Ask for directions, give them, and talk about how you travel.

  • I can ask for and give directions.
  • I can describe a journey across town.
Audio for this unit (13)

Sections in this unit

  1. 8.1Asking for directionsKey Language92
  2. 8.2Asking for directionsFurther Examples92
  3. 8.3Asking for directionsHow to Form92
  4. 8.4Write the correct question for each situationExercise93
  5. 8.5Listen and draw the route on the mapListening94
  6. 8.6"How do I get there?" — map exerciseSpeaking94
  7. 8.7Giving directions using the imperativeKey Language95
  8. 8.8Linking in direction phrasesPronunciation96
  9. 8.9Listen and number the directions in orderListening96
  10. 8.10"Give me directions" — role-play with the mapSpeaking97
  11. 8.11Transport vocabulary & describing a journeyKey Language97
  12. 8.12Transport and journey descriptionsFurther Examples98
  13. 8.13Describe each journey in a full sentenceExercise98
  14. 8.14"Lost in Town" — directions & transport (output task)Speaking298

RevisionKu celi

8.1 Asking for directions

NoahExcuse me — are you a student here?

IfrahYes, I am! Can I help you?

NoahGreat! Where's the nearest café? I really need a coffee.

IfrahOf course. There is a good café just down the road from here.

Noah How do I get to it from the university gate?

IfrahGo straight on along the main road. Take the first left after the large mosque. The café is on the right — you can't miss it.

NoahIs it far?

IfrahNo, not at all. It's about five minutes' walk from here.

NoahPerfect. Thanks a lot!

IfrahYou're welcome. Enjoy your coffee!

  • NOTE: "Excuse me" is used to get a stranger's attention politely. Always use it when asking someone you do not know for help.
  • NOTE: "Where's" is a contraction of "where is." It is more natural in spoken English than the full form.
  • NOTE: "Five minutes' walk" uses an apostrophe after "minutes" to show possession (the walk of five minutes). Learn it as one fixed phrase.

8.2 Asking for directions

1. CaféExcuse me, where's the nearest café?" → "It's just down the road, on the right.

2. RouteHow do I get to the market from here?" → "Go straight on and take the second left.

3. DistanceIs it far?" → "No, not at all — about five minutes' walk.

4. TimeHow long does it take to the city centre?" → "About twenty minutes by bus.

5. MapCan you show me on the map?" → "Of course — it's right here.

  • NOTE: "Is it far?" and "How long does it take?" are natural follow-up questions. Always ask one after you receive directions.

8.3 Asking for directions

  • "Where's" is a contraction of "Where is." It is more natural in spoken English than the full form.
  • "How do I get to…?" asks for the route — a series of steps. "Where is…?" asks only for the location.
  • Always start with "Excuse me" when asking a stranger for help. It is polite and essential in English-speaking contexts.

8.5 Listen and draw the route on the map

  • Audio script (teacher) — Exchange 1 (café): "Go straight on along University Road. Take the first left onto Main Street. Go straight on — the café is on the left. You can't miss it." / "Is it far?" / "No — about three minutes' walk."
  • Exchange 2 (mosque): "Go straight on along University Road until you reach Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street. The mosque is on the left, at the top of the street — about five minutes' walk. It has a large dome."
  • Exchange 3 (pharmacy): "Take the second right off University Road onto Beach Road. Go straight on, past the market on your left. The pharmacy is just past the market, on the right — about four minutes' walk."

8.6 "How do I get there?" — map exercise

NoahExcuse me, how do I get to the park from the university gate?

IfrahGo straight on along University Road. Take the second right onto Beach Road. Go straight on. The park is at the top on the right. You can't miss it.

NoahIs it far?

IfrahNo — about four minutes' walk.

NoahThanks a lot!

  • NOTE: Speak at a natural pace. After hearing the directions, ask "Is it far?" as a follow-up question. This is natural and polite in English conversation.

8.7 Giving directions using the imperative

LiamExcuse me — I'm a bit lost. How do I get to Lido Beach from here?

HodanOf course! First, go straight on along this road until you reach the old mosque.

LiamThe old mosque — OK.

HodanGood. Go past the old mosque. Then turn left at the market — you'll see the stalls on both sides of the road.

LiamLeft at the market. Got it.

HodanAfter the market, take the first right. Go straight on until you reach the main coastal road.

Hodan Turn right onto the coastal road. Go past the blue gate — it's on your left. It's just past the gate on the right. You can't miss it.

LiamWonderful! Is it far?

HodanAbout ten minutes on foot. Or you can take a bajaaj — a small three-wheeled taxi — and it takes about three minutes.

  • NOTE: The imperative uses the base form of the verb with NO subject: "Go", "Turn", "Take", "Walk". Do not say "You go" or "You should turn" when giving directions.
  • NOTE: "Take the second left" is a fixed chunk. Do not say "Go the second left." The verb is always "take" with "the first/second left/right."
  • NOTE: In Mogadishu, people often give directions using landmarks — mosques, markets, gates — rather than street names. This is a natural and reliable navigation style.

8.8 Linking in direction phrases

  • NOTE: Practise these phrases as single chunks of sound — not word by word.

8.10 "Give me directions" — role-play with the map

AliI'm at the university gate. Give me directions to the bus stop.

HawaOK. Go straight on along University Road. At the end, turn right. Go straight on along Beach Road. The bus stop is on the right, at the corner — just past the pharmacy. You can't miss it.

AliI'm at the bus stop!

HawaExactly right!

  • Self-check — tick after each turn: ☐ Used "Excuse me." ☐ Used the imperative (Go / Turn / Take). ☐ Used a landmark reference. ☐ Said how far it is. ☐ Said "You can't miss it."

8.11 Transport vocabulary & describing a journey

NoahIfrah, how do you get to university every day?

IfrahI usually take a bajaaj from near my home. It's a small three-wheeled taxi. It's very common in Mogadishu.

NoahHow long does it take?

IfrahIt takes about ten minutes. Sometimes a bit longer in the morning because of traffic.

NoahInteresting! In Sydney, I go to university by bus. It takes about thirty minutes.

IfrahDo you ever walk?

NoahSometimes I go on foot when it's a nice day. It takes about forty-five minutes, but I enjoy it!

  • NOTE: Use "by" with most transport: by bus, by taxi, by plane, by bajaaj. Exception: say "on foot" (not "by foot").
  • NOTE: "I take the bus" uses "the" because it is a specific service. "I go by bus" does not use "the" — it talks about the type of transport in general.
  • NOTE: "It takes about [time]" is a fixed phrase for journey times. "About" shows the time is approximate.

8.12 Transport and journey descriptions

MohamedI go to the market by bajaaj every morning. It takes about eight minutes. The bajaaj is fast, and the driver knows all the shortcuts.

SophieI take the bus to the city centre. It takes about twenty minutes. It can be busy during rush hour, but it is cheap.

AbdirahmanI go on foot to the mosque. It takes about five minutes from my home. It is a short walk, and I enjoy the fresh air.

DeeqaI take a taxi to the airport when I travel. It takes about thirty minutes. It is more expensive than the bus, but it is comfortable and direct.

8.14 "Lost in Town" — directions & transport (output task)

IfrahGo straight on along the main road. Turn left at the mosque. Go past the market — it's just past the market on the left. You can't miss it.

NoahThank you! Is it far?

IfrahNo — about four minutes' walk.

Note: bajaaj — a small three-wheeled taxi common in Mogadishu.

Dialogue 1 — Nasteho & Muktar

NastehoHow do you get to university every morning, Muktar?

MuktarI usually go by ①________. It's fast, and I can get off right at the gate. It takes about eight minutes.

Dialogue 2 — Liam & Hodan

LiamHodan, how do people usually get to Lido Beach?

HodanMany people go by ②________. It's cheap, and there are stops near the beach. About fifteen minutes by ③________. Or you can walk — but it takes forty minutes ④________.

Dialogue 3 — Sophie & Carlos

CarlosI came by ⑤________! It was a very long journey — about eighteen hours.

SophieI take the ⑥________ — the metro. It takes about twenty minutes.

Dialogue 4 — Maryam & Ali

AliSometimes I take the ⑦________ from Mogadishu. It goes along the coast — about two days, but a beautiful journey.

MaryamTwo days! I prefer to fly. The ⑧________ takes only two hours.

Dialogue 5 — Yuki & Amir

AmirI take the ⑨________. It's comfortable and faster than driving — about four hours.

AmirSometimes I drive. But the ⑩________ is more relaxing. I can read or sleep!

Step 1 — Start & first direction: "Start at the Accord University main gate. Go ________________.

Step 2 — Second direction (landmark): "Go past ________________ and then ________________.

Step 3 — Third direction (a turn): "Turn ________________ at ________________.

Step 4 — Fourth direction (feature): "You will see ________________ on your ________________.

Step 5 — Transport & time: "I usually take a ________________. It takes about ________________." OR "I walk. It takes about ________________ on foot.

Step 6 — Final marker: "My home is ________________. You can't miss it — ________________.

  • EXIT TASK: After this exercise, prepare your 1-minute spoken directions from the Accord University main gate to your own home. Use the imperative, name at least two landmarks, say which transport you use, and say how long it takes. You will give these directions in your Month 2 Exam.
  • NOTE: Use the imperative for every direction step. Name at least two landmarks. Say which transport you use and how long it takes. Aim for six steps in one minute.