Office navigation: asking for and giving directions

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90 min
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1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What things are in an office?
  2. It is your first day at a new job. What do you need to find?
  3. A person asks you, 'Where is the kitchen?'. What can you say?
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Asking for Directions in the Office

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Read the article about the office. Then answer the questions.

01Where is the printer?
Sample answerThe printer is next to the reception desk.
02What can you do in the kitchen?
Sample answerYou can make coffee in the kitchen.
03How do you get to the meeting room?
Sample answerYou go upstairs to the second floor.
04What should you do if you need help?
Sample answerI should ask for help at the reception desk.
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Key vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you ask for and give directions in an office.
Examples
Excuse me, where is...? — a polite way to ask for directions.
Use this phrase to get someone's attention before you ask your question. For example: 'Excuse me, where is the kitchen?'
Go straight ahead — to move forward, not left or right.
This is a very common way to give directions. You can also just say 'go straight'.
On your left / on your right — used to say where something is located.
For example: 'Go down the hall. The printer is on your left.'
At the end of the hall — in the last part of a long passage in a building.
This helps people know how far to go. For example: 'The meeting room is at the end of the hall.'
Next to the... — beside something.
Use this to describe a location using another object. For example: 'The kitchen is next to the elevator.'
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Vocabulary for the office

Learn new words for places and directions in a building.

Match each word on the left with the correct meaning on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Grammar: Prepositions of place

Grammar
We use prepositions of place to say where something is. They help us understand and give directions in the office. For example, we can say the printer is on the desk or the kitchen is next to the meeting room.
Examples
The coffee machine is in the kitchen.
Use 'in' for a place with walls, like a room or a building.
The printer is on the table.
Use 'on' for a surface, like a table or a floor.
The reception desk is next to the door.
Use 'next to' when something is right beside another thing.
Key points
  • Use 'in' for an enclosed space (e.g., in the meeting room).
  • Use 'on' for a surface (e.g., on the desk).
  • Use 'next to' for something beside another thing (e.g., the printer is next to the computer).
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01Excuse me, is the meeting room?
02To find the kitchen, go down this hall.
03The printer is on your .
04My desk is the window.
05The manager's office is at the of the corridor.
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Useful phrases: Asking for directions at work

Vocabulary
When you are new in an office, you often need to ask for directions. Here are some simple and polite phrases to help you find your way around.
Examples
Sorry to bother you... — a polite way to start a question when someone is busy.
Register: Neutral. Use this before your question (e.g., 'Sorry to bother you, where is the kitchen?'). It shows you respect their time.
I'm looking for the printer. — a common way to say you need to find something.
Register: Neutral. This is a good alternative to 'Where is...?'. You can replace 'the printer' with any place or thing.
Do you know where the meeting room is? — another polite way to ask for a location.
Register: Neutral. This is a soft and friendly way to ask for help.
Sorry, can you say that again? — use this when you don't understand the directions.
Register: Neutral. It is always okay to ask someone to repeat information. This is a very polite way to do it.
So, it's on the right? — repeat the key information to check you understand.
Register: Neutral. Use this to confirm the directions before you walk away. It shows you were listening carefully.
Great, thanks! — a simple and friendly way to say thank you.
Register: Informal/Neutral. Use this after someone helps you. You can also say 'Thanks so much!' or 'Thank you for your help.'
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Choose the best answer for each question based on the article.

01Where is the reception desk?
02What is next to the reception desk?
03What can you find upstairs?
04Which place is NOT mentioned in the article?
10

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. Think about your office or school. Tell your partner how to go from the front door to the kitchen.
  2. What is more important to have near your desk: the printer or the kitchen? Why?
  3. In your country, are office buildings usually big or small? Is it easy to find rooms inside?