Taking a Taxi (Novice-Intermediate)

Practice on Your Own

Imagine that you are studying or traveling in a country where the language is spoken. You need to take a taxi to another part of the city.

• What do you know about taxis in this country? Are the prices fixed, or are customers expected to bargain? Should you give a tip? Do some research online or ask your conversation partner.
• Plan ahead for what you need to say to the taxi driver. How will you greet them? Be prepared to tell the driver where you are going, ask about the fare, and bargain if appropriate.
• If you have learned about giving directions, be prepared to tell the taxi driver how to get to your destination. Use Google Maps or find a map of a place where the language is spoken and practice giving directions from one point to another.
  • If you haven’t learned how to give directions, you can skip this part for now.

Practice in Conversation Session

• To warm up, tell your conversation partner and fellow students what city you are in and where you are going.
• Be prepared to role play taking a taxi. Your conversation partner will play the role of the taxi driver. Use appropriate greetings, tell the driver where you are going, ask about the fare, and bargain if appropriate. If you have learned about giving directions, tell the taxi driver how to get to your destination.
• Are there differences in how taxis operate in your country and in the country/ies where the language is spoken?