Asking for directions and getting around

• QuestionWhat is "Où est… and où se trouve…"?Tap to revealAnswerThe single most useful question for a tourist: où est… ? ("oo eh", "where is...?")
• QuestionIn "Où est… and où se trouve…", explain:Tap to revealAnswerOù est [X]? — universal where-is question. Singular est, plural sont.
• QuestionIn "Où est… and où se trouve…", explain:Tap to revealAnswerOpen with excusez-moi or pardon before asking a stranger.
• QuestionIn "Où est… and où se trouve…", explain:Tap to revealAnswerMemorise the high-frequency destinations: gare, métro, pharmacie, toilettes, ATM.
• QuestionIn "Où est… and où se trouve…", explain:Tap to revealAnswerRescue line: pouvez-vous parler plus lentement?
• QuestionWhat is "Left, right, straight ahead — parsing directions"?Tap to revealAnswerGauche=left, droite=right, tout droit=straight. Au feu=at the light, au coin=at the corner.
• QuestionIn "Left, right, straight ahead — parsing directions", explain:Tap to revealAnswerÀ gauche / à droite / tout droit = left / right / straight on. Tout droit ≠ à droite.
• QuestionIn "Left, right, straight ahead — parsing directions", explain:Tap to revealAnswerEn face = opposite. À côté de = next to. Près de / loin de = near / far.
• QuestionIn "Left, right, straight ahead — parsing directions", explain:Tap to revealAnswerAu feu = at the light; au coin = at the corner.
• QuestionIn "Left, right, straight ahead — parsing directions", explain:Tap to revealAnswerConfirm the route back to the speaker — closes the loop and catches misunderstandings.
• QuestionWhat is "Buses, metros, trains — getting a ticket"?Tap to revealAnswerPublic transit vocabulary is short and useful: le métro (subway), le bus (bus — same word, French pronunciation "boos"), le tramway (tram), le train (train), le TGV (high-speed inter-city train), le RER (Paris suburban train).
• QuestionIn "Buses, metros, trains — getting a ticket", explain:Tap to revealAnswerLe métro / bus / tramway / train / TGV / RER — the transit vocabulary.
• QuestionIn "Buses, metros, trains — getting a ticket", explain:Tap to revealAnswerUn ticket = one ride. Un carnet (Paris) = 10. Un pass journée = day pass.
• QuestionIn "Buses, metros, trains — getting a ticket", explain:Tap to revealAnswerUseful question: ce train va à [destination]? — does this go to X?
• QuestionIn "Buses, metros, trains — getting a ticket", explain:Tap to revealAnswerComposter = validate (older French regional rail).

1. 1Outline the core idea

   Analyse~10 min

   In your own words, outline the central idea of "Où est… and où se trouve…". Aim for one paragraph, no jargon you haven't earned.

   Done when: A non-expert could read your paragraph and explain it back to you.

   Re-read the source concept

2. 2Solve it to a real situation

   Apply~15 min

   Find a real situation from your own work / life where "Buses, metros, trains — getting a ticket" applies. Solve the idea — describe the situation, the move you'd make, and the alternative you considered first.

   Done when: You can name a specific situation (not a hypothetical), state your move, and explain the trade-off in one paragraph.

   Re-read the source concept

3. 3Teach it back

   Evaluate~5 min

   Pick someone (a colleague, a peer, a rubber duck) and explain the section to them in under 5 minutes. Use your own example, not the one from the lesson.

   Done when: Your listener can repeat the core idea + the trade-off back to you without prompting.

Why this matters. Reading + quizzing prove recall; applying it in a real situation is the only evidence of transfer. Treat at least one of these as non-negotiable before you move on.