Learn how to ask for basic information and directions from a bus driver
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THIS WEEK’S FEATURED POST
Week of Dec. 15/25
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Lesson plan overview
| Task | To learn the basic vocabulary needed to ask for basic directions from a bus driver. |
| CLB level | CLB Stage I (CLB 1-3) |
| Delivery method | Online |
| Class size | 10-15 students (vary the number of activities according to your class size) |
| Estimated time | 1.5 hours (depending on class size) |
| CLB Skills and Competencies | Speaking: Interacting with others Getting things done Sharing information Listening: Interacting with others Comprehending instructions Getting things done Comprehending information Reading: Comprehending information |
| Language focus | Learn the vocabulary needed to understand this topic. Use the appropriate grammar structures and vocabulary to respond personally to the reflection questions. (Encourage students to respond in full sentences.) |
| Cultural focus | Students understand politeness formulas expected in interactions with Canadian bus drivers. |
| Specific task learning objectives | Students learn common words and phrases associated with taking a bus. Students practice asking for basic information and directions from a bus driver. |
| ESL Directions original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities? | This lesson includes original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities. |
| Resource attribution | ESL Directions original resources are marked below with an asterisk (*). Feel free to use these, but please give credit to ESL Directions. |
Lesson plan
Warm-up: Introducing the topic and defining our terms
- Today, we’re going to learn some of the words you need to speak with a bus driver.
- What is a bus?
- What is a bus driver?
- What words might you need to talk with a bus driver?
Skill-building activities
FEATURED CONTENT
- Vocabulary flashcards*
- Let’s listen to the vocabulary again* (Pay attention to how to say the words and phrases and what they mean.)
- Taking the bus video* 🎥
Skill-using tasks
- Audio, role play, and comprehension questions* 🔊
- What does each sentence mean?*
- Group sort: Who says what?*
- Pair matching* (Pair the questions and answers.)
- Unjumble the sentences*
Assessment/review tasks
- Audio and words match-up* 🔊
- Taking the bus vocabulary fliptiles*
- Random words and phrases* (Ask students to explain what they see.)
Reflection questions
- Who here has ridden the bus in Canada?
- How has riding the bus in Canada been for you?
- Have you ever spoken with a bus driver? How did that go for you?
- Have the drivers been friendly?
- Is it easy for you to ask for directions? If not, what is hard for you?
- Would you rather drive a car or take public transit?
- What do you do when you ride the bus? Do you read? Sleep? Look at your phone? What do most people do?
- Do you feel safe on the bus or subway/LRT?
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Click on the small arrow on the top of this video to play the videos or go to the YouTube Transportation Playlist.
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Wordwall is a very useful interactive lesson-creation site. If you sign up for a free Wordwall account, you will be able to see our “Transportation” folder, which includes ESL Directions activities that you can add to your lessons.
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ESL teacher, movie buff, constant reader, and former editor and communications pro. Now a graduate of the Teaching English as a Second Language program at the University of Manitoba and a TESL Canada certified ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
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