Travel English: Tickets, Directions & Problems
In this lesson, students practice common travel situations: buying tickets, asking for directions, and solving simple problems (late train, wrong platform, lost bag). The main outcomes are a short reading task (travel info + signs) and confident speaking role-plays.
SWBAT (Objectives)
- Buy or ask for tickets using clear travel questions (one-way/return, time, price).
- Ask for and follow directions (turn left/right, go straight, next to, across from).
- Read simple travel information: schedules, signs, platforms, and instructions.
- Explain a travel problem and ask for help politely.
- Complete short role-plays in pairs (ticket office, directions, problem desk).
Key Language (Functional Chunks)
• One-way or return?
• A return ticket to ___, please.
• What time is the next train/bus?
• How much is it?
• Which platform/gate?
• Excuse me, how do I get to ___?
• Go straight / Turn left / Turn right.
• It’s next to / across from / between.
• It’s about 5 minutes’ walk.
• I missed my train/bus.
• My bag is lost.
• I’m on the wrong platform.
• Can you help me, please?
• Could you tell me…? · Could you show me…? · I’m sorry—can I ask a question? · Thank you for your help.
Reading: Travel Info & Signs
Train to Lakeside
09:10 Platform 2 · On time
09:40 Platform 3 · Delayed 10 min
10:15 Platform 1 · On time
Tickets: machine or counter
• Platform Change → Platform 3
• No Entry
• Information Desk
• Keep your ticket
• Please queue here
- Which train is delayed?
- Which platform is the 10:15 train?
- What does “Please queue here” mean?
- What should you do if there is a platform change?
Speaking Role-Plays
- Customer: buy a return ticket to ___.
- Ask price + next departure time.
- Clerk: give platform + basic info.
- Student A: you are lost. Ask how to get to ___.
- Student B: give 3 steps (go straight, turn, next to).
- Swap roles with a new destination.
- Used 1 ticket question (one-way/return, price, platform)
- Used 2 direction phrases (go straight, turn left/right, next to)
- Used a polite opener (“Excuse me…”) and closing (“Thank you.”)
Travel Problems: Ask for Help
- I missed my bus.
- I’m on the wrong platform.
- I lost my ticket.
- My bag is missing.
- I don’t understand this sign.
- Let me check the schedule for you.
- You need Platform 3.
- Please go to the information desk.
- Can you show me your ID / booking?
- Don’t worry—we can help.
In pairs: one student is the traveler, one is staff. Explain the problem in 2–3 sentences, then ask for help using “Can you…?” or “Could you…?”
Exit Ticket (5 minutes)
- Write 2 ticket questions (price + time/platform).
- Write 2 direction sentences (go straight / turn left / next to).
- Write 1 problem sentence + 1 polite request for help.
Homework
- Vocabulary: learn 15 travel words (ticket, platform, gate, direction, delay, map, luggage…).
- Reading: read a short schedule/signs page and answer 8 questions.
- Speaking: practice the direction phrases aloud for 2 minutes.