8

Unit
The local Around the
area UK
Skills Around the
• What interesting places
world
• Where have Staying
have you visited in the you visited safe
Getting • How
 do you plan local area and how did • How does
across the public transport
started your journeys? you get there? UK and how vary across • How can
• How do you like • What do you know did you get you stay safe
• How did you get to travel around? places that you
about public transport there? know? on public
here today? • Can you drive or and costs in this area? • Where would transport?
• What different ride a bicycle? • Where in the
• Ask each other for you like to world would • What is the
forms of transport directions to some local visit in the safest method
have you used in you like to visit
landmarks. UK? and why? of transport
the UK? and why?
• Draw a map of the
UK. Label places
you know or
you’ve visited.

Travel and transport Personal

view

Useful apps • Should the

and websites government
Social / restrict flying
Community Our rights and and driving for
• Google maps Taking the responsibilities
• City mapper (London, Birmingham, Manchester) topic further environmental
• What advice reasons?
• Step counter apps about transport • Is
 freedom of
• Plan
 a local • What changes
• Local transport sites and apps for journey would you give to movement would you
planning, live bus times, status updates trip together. someone new to between countries make to
• National transport sites and apps, the area? a right? Why / transport
e.g. National Express, Megabus • Is there a local why not? locally or in
• Comparison transport sites, e.g. Trainline, split transport service • Are there any rules the UK?
tickets for trains, Checkmybus for coaches, you would like to when you use
Skyscanner for planes improve? What local transport?
• [Link]/learn-to-drive-a-car including could you do Do people stick to
information on the theory test about it? them?
Travel and transport
8

Unit
Introduction to the topic
This is a very practical topic which will be of particular interest for people new
to the area. Conversations can cover:
• Local transport options, including costs, advantages and disadvantages
• Using smartphones for navigation and up-to-date travel information
• Asking for and giving directions
• Sharing advice on how to travel safely

Session ideas at a glance

Welcome If required, participants sign in or you record attendance on a register.

Opening chat/ Introductions for anyone new. General chatting. Anything to follow up or report
circle time back on from the previous session? Any news from anyone?

Getting Remind/tell new participants what the topic of the session is: Travel and transport.
started Choose one or more warm up activities linked to the topic. See next page for
ideas on using a Picture pack and Transport signs.
Ask some questions to get the conversation started and find out which aspects of
travel and transport participants are most interested in talking about. (See mind
map and next page for ideas).

Conversations Plan to have 2 or 3 main conversations linked to this topic, possibly with supporting
activities. See next page for ideas for:
• The local area: Local transport signs
• Staying safe on public transport
• Staying safe: What do you think?
If you have a large group, and participants divide into small groups or pairs for
each activity/conversation, finish each of these with the whole group reporting
back and maybe discussing their ideas further together.

Closing chat/ Feedback about today’s topic and conversations.

circle time Discuss any ideas for any follow up action or research for taking the topic further,
e.g. discussing the topic more, planning a local trip, going on a local trip using
public transport to get there.
Share ideas and agree the main topic for the next session.
Any reminders or important dates/events coming up?

Level of English: The unit is generally aimed at lower levels, although it can be adapted to all levels.
With lower levels especially, it is useful if there are shared languages so that participants can work out
meanings together.

Things to consider: Jobs involving driving are often taken up by migrants who have lower levels of English,
so this may be a useful area for discussion with some groups. If all of your participants are interested
in learning to drive and doing the practice theory test, they could try out and discuss the free practice
materials on the [Link] website. [Link]/take-practice-theory-test. You would need Wi-Fi for
this activity.

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Travel and transport
8

Unit
Getting started: Picture pack
Resources and preparation: Take photos of local transport, bus stops, the station etc. and collect
images, timetables, leaflets, etc. related to local transport options. Collect some local and national
maps showing transport options, e.g. train stations.
• 
Spread the picture pack on the table. Ask some questions to get the conversation started.
(See the mind map for more ideas):
- How did you get here today? How do you usually travel around locally?
- What types of transport have you used in the UK? Where did you go? Why?
- Can you drive? Would you like to learn to drive? Would you like to try the theory test?
- How do you find your way to somewhere new? Do you use any apps to help find a route or
plan a journey? If so, which apps do you use? Can you show us how to use them?
- Is there anything you would like to find out about?
• Ask participants to choose a picture they would like to talk about. Encourage everyone to ask
each other questions about their choice.
• Encourage participants in pairs or small groups to tell each other more about how they get
around locally, the cheapest way to travel, useful apps, interesting or unusual journeys they have
made, etc. Come back together as a whole group to share what they found out.

The local area: Local transport signs

Resources and preparation: Print two sets of Local transport signs for each small group. If possible,
replace and add other images for transport in your local area, e.g. local bus and tram stops, etc.
• 
Spread one set of images on the table and ask participants to pick them up and tell each other
what they know. If there are some they don’t know, encourage them to ask each other questions,
e.g. What’s this sign? What does it mean? Have you seen it? Where?
• Give each group a second set of the same Local transport signs. Explain/demonstrate how to
play Pelmanism, (see English conversation practice toolkit, Section 2).

Staying safe on public transport

Resources and preparation: This activity is good for lower level participants. Prepare word cards or
write key words on the flipchart.
• Point out or hold up the key words relating to staying safe on public transport or on the street,
e.g. Travel tickets Jewellery Bags Purses and wallets Money
• Encourage participants to make ‘staying safe’ suggestions for each one, e.g.
- Travel tickets: Keep your travel tickets in a safe place.
- Jewellery: Don’t wear lots of jewellery. Cover up your jewellery. Hide valuable things.
- Bags: Make sure your bag is done up. Make sure you can see your bag. Put the strap across your body.
Bags and pockets with zips are best.
- Purses and wallets: Don’t get your purse or wallet out in the street.
Finish with a general discussion and tips about staying safe on public transport.

Staying safe: What do you think?

Resources and preparation: This activity is good for higher level participants. Print out and cut up the
What do you think? discussion cards as whole sheets or into separate strips.
• Participants work in pairs or small groups and take it in turns to select a question to discuss.
• Finish with a general discussion about travel and transport and any follow up information or research
that may be needed to answer any questions that have come up, e.g. whether there is a local free
bicycle scheme, or whether the local council runs free cycling classes.

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Travel and transport
8

Unit
Getting started:
Picture pack - Local transport signs

Image 1: [Link]

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Travel and transport
8

Unit
Staying safe: What do you think?

What age do you think children should go to school

by themselves? Is this different in other countries?

How can we teach children about road safety?

At what age should children go out without an adult?

Can you ride a bicycle? If not, would you like to learn?

Do you think it is safe to cycle in your area?

Do you think more people should cycle?

Where can adults learn to cycle locally?

Do you feel safe on public transport?

Why? Why not?

What’s your advice for staying safe on public transport?

What about at night?

How would you get help if you felt unsafe on

public transport?

Have you ever got lost? What happened?

What did you do?

What’s your advice about local transport for someone

new to the area?

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