English for Speakers of Other Languages

7. Describe Places

Level: Beginner/Early Intermediate

Supporting Materials

How to Teach

How to Assess


Corresponding State Language Forms

Common nouns and adjectives

Simple sentences with the verb to be, using common nouns and adjectives. The (my, her) ______ is/are _______. A (it) has/have _________.

Demonstrated comprehension of total physical response commands, including prepositions (e.g., on, off, in, out, inside, outside)

Simple sentences with prepositional phrases (e.g., next to, beside, between, in front of, in back of, behind, on the left/right, in the middle of, above, below, under)

At the end of this language function, students will be able to...

  • Describe a local place and living environment
  • Give directions to a location and place
  • Make or read a map

Sample Language Patterns:

Describe a local place and living environment:
  • There is a ___ (noun) ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • There are ___ (noun plural) ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • Where is ___ (article + noun)?
  • ___ (noun) is ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • The ___ (noun) is ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • What does a ___ (place) have?
  • ___ (Place name) has ___ (adjective) ___(noun)
  • There is/are ___ (Article + noun).
  • A ___ (noun) lives ___ (preposition) the ___.
  • The ___ lives ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • The ___ (noun) ___ (verb) ___ (preposition) the ___(noun).
Give Directions to a location and place:
  • Where is the ___?
  • At the end of the ___.
  • It is ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • Turn ___ when you see the ___ (noun).
  • The ___ (noun) has ___ (adjective) ___ (noun).
  • The ___ (noun) are ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • There are ___ (adjective) ___ (noun) ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).
  • The ___ (noun) is ___ (preposition) the ___ (noun).