Asking for Directions in Chicago
You are lost in downtown Chicago and looking for the train station. Practice stopping a stranger politely and understanding simple directions. · A2 · Role-Play
How to practice: first listen to the whole dialogue. Then play BOTH roles out loud — or take one role and answer the other from memory. When it flows, record the full dialogue below.
A Excuse me, can you help me? I’m looking for the train station.
B Sure! It’s not far. Go straight down this street for two blocks.
A Two blocks straight. Then what?
B Then turn left at the traffic light. You’ll see a big bookstore on the corner.
A Turn left at the bookstore?
B Almost — turn left at the light, and the station is right across from the bookstore.
A Got it. Is it about a ten-minute walk?
B Yes, about ten minutes. You can’t miss it.
A Thank you so much for your help!
B No problem. Have a great day!
The full dialogue with real voices. Listen first, then take your role.
Record yourself, play it back, and compare with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Your task
Read the dialogue aloud, then retell the directions in your own words as if you were helping a friend: “First go straight, then turn left…”
Coach tips
- Start soft: “Excuse me” with a smile gets a stranger’s attention politely.
- Repeat the directions back, like A does — it checks understanding and fixes the words in memory.
- Stress direction words: STRAIGHT, LEFT, ACROSS FROM. They carry the meaning.