English Learning Content: Using Google Maps

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, are we going the right way? This street looks new to me.

Bob: Alice, don’t worry! My Google Maps is *always* right. See? It says “continue straight for 200 meters.”

Alice: But the sign right there says “Dead End.”

Bob: Ah, that’s just a suggestion, Alice. Google knows better. Let’s go!

Alice: (Sighs) Okay, Mr. Google Maps Expert. But if we end up in a pond, it’s on you.

Bob: (A moment later) Hmm, it says “You have arrived at your destination.” But… this is a park bench.

Alice: A park bench? Bob, we’re supposed to be at “Pizza Paradise”! Is this a new eco-friendly branch?

Bob: Uh, maybe Google Maps is testing my detective skills. It says “Pizza Paradise is 100 meters *to your left*.”

Alice: Your left or *my* left? Because your left is usually my right.

Bob: (Checks phone) Oh, it means *my* left, which is *your* right. Wait, no. My left is my left!

Alice: Just point!

Bob: Okay, it’s that way! (Points in a completely different direction than before)

Alice: Bob, are you sure you typed in “Pizza Paradise” and not “Park Bench Paradise”?

Bob: (Eyes widen) Uh oh. My phone autocorrected it to “Pajama Paradise.” That’s a clothing store!

Alice: (Buries face in hands) Bob, please just give me the phone. I’ll type it in this time.

Current Situation

Google Maps is an incredibly popular and useful tool for navigation all around the world. Even if you’re in a non-English speaking country, the instructions and place names on Google Maps are often in English. Learning to understand these basic English phrases is essential for getting around, whether you’re walking, driving, or taking public transport. It helps you recognize street names, follow directions like “turn left” or “go straight,” and understand when “you have arrived” at your destination. Using Google Maps in English is a practical and fun way to practice your reading and listening skills in a real-world situation!

Key Phrases

• Turn left / Turn right: Change direction to the left or right.

  “Please turn left at the next traffic light.”

• Go straight / Continue straight: Keep walking or driving forward without turning.

  “Go straight for about 500 meters until you see the bridge.”

• Your destination is on the left / right: The place you want to reach is located on that side.

  “Your destination is on the right, across from the post office.”

• You have arrived (at your destination): You have reached the place you were going to.

  “Congratulations! You have arrived at your destination.”

• In X meters / kilometers: Refers to a distance.

  “The coffee shop is in 100 meters, next to the bank.”

• Look for / Search for: To try to find something.

  “Look for a big blue sign with a picture of a pizza.”

• Which way is…?: Asking for directions to a place.

  “Excuse me, which way is the train station?”

• Are we going the right way?: Asking if you are on the correct path.

  “Are we going the right way to the museum, or did we miss a turn?”

• This street / That street: Referring to the street you are on or a nearby street.

  “This street is called Elm Street, but we need to be on Oak Avenue.”

• Autocorrected to: When a phone or computer automatically changes a word you typed to another word.

  “My phone autocorrected ‘bakery’ to ‘battery’, so I ended up at an electronics store!”

Grammar Points

1. Prepositions of Place and Direction

These small words tell us about location and movement.

• at: specific point or location.

  “We are at the park.” “Turn left at the traffic light.”

• on: refers to a surface or a street.

  “The restaurant is on Main Street.” “Your destination is on the left.”

• in: refers to a larger area, or for distances.

  “The shop is in the city center.” “The next turn is in 50 meters.”

• to: indicates movement towards a destination.

  “Go to the library.” “100 meters to your left.”

• for: indicates duration or distance.

  “Continue straight for two blocks.”

• across from: on the opposite side of something.

  “The bank is across from the supermarket.”

2. Imperative Verbs for Directions

These verbs give direct commands or instructions, often used in directions.

• Go: “Go straight.” “Go left.”
• Turn: “Turn right at the corner.”
• Continue: “Continue walking.” “Continue straight ahead.”
• Look (for): “Look for the yellow building.”

3. Simple Present Tense

Used to talk about facts, habits, or current situations.

• “This street looks new to me.” (A current observation)
• “It says ‘continue straight’.” (A current reading/fact from Google Maps)
• “Google Maps is always right.” (A general statement/belief)

4. Asking Questions for Directions

Common ways to ask for help or confirm a path.

• “Are we going the right way?” (To confirm if you are on the correct path.)
• “Which way is…?” (To ask for the general direction to a place.)

Practice Exercises

Practice Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the best word to complete the sentence.

1. Please ______ left at the next corner. (turn / go / look)
2. ______ straight for about 1 kilometer. (Turn / Go / Arrived)
3. Your destination is ______ the right. (at / in / on)
4. We need to ______ for a big blue door. (turn / go / look)
5. My phone ______ “cat” to “car” by mistake! (turned / autocorrected / arrived)

Practice Exercise 2: Giving Directions

Imagine you are giving directions. What would you say?

1. To tell someone to go forward: “Go ______!”
2. To tell someone to change direction to the right: “______ right!”
3. To tell someone they have reached their location: “You have ______!”
4. To ask if you are on the correct path: “Are we going ______ ______?”

Practice Exercise 3: Correcting Bob

Bob made some common mistakes. Help him fix the sentences to sound more natural in English.

1. “Go at the left.”
2. “My destination is arrived.”
3. “Which street is this way?”

Answers

Practice Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. turn
2. Go
3. on
4. look
5. autocorrected

Practice Exercise 2: Giving Directions

1. Go straight!
2. Turn right!
3. You have arrived!
4. Are we going the right way?

Practice Exercise 3: Correcting Bob

1. Turn left. / Go to the left.
2. I have arrived at my destination. / You have arrived at your destination.
3. Which way is this street? / Which way is…?