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📕 A2: Grades 7-9 • DIRECTIONS & PLACES

Hidden City Gems: Give Advice Like a Local Guide

In this lesson, you will learn how to use imperatives with sequence words (first, then, finally) to recommend places in a city. You will read a travel blog, listen to a local guide, and share your own favorite spots.

Hidden City Gems: Give Advice Like a Local Guide
💬 Warm-up
1 Do you know a place in your town that few tourists visit? What is it?
2 When friends come to your city, where do you take them first, then, and finally?
3 What is a 'hidden spot'? Can you think of one?

🎯 Objectives

  • Use imperatives with first, then, finally to give recommendations
  • Understand and use 8 travel-related vocabulary words
  • Read and listen to a city guide and answer questions
  • Write a short guide to three hidden spots in your area
  • Record a 45-second talk recommending one hidden spot
In this block:

📚 Vocabulary

1.
explore
"I love to explore new streets in the old town."
to walk around and look at a place to learn about it
2.
discover
"You can discover a small park behind the library."
to find something for the first time
3.
recommend
"I recommend the coffee shop near the river."
to tell someone that something is good for them
4.
hidden
"There is a hidden garden between two buildings."
not easy to find; secret
5.
spot
"This is a great spot for taking photos."
a particular place
6.
tourist
"The tourist asked for directions to the museum."
a person who visits a new place for pleasure
7.
local
"The local bakery makes the best bread."
a person who lives in a certain area
8.
guide
"A guide showed us the oldest street in the city."
a person who shows others around a place
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
explore
to walk around and look at a place to learn about it
discover
to find something for the first time
recommend
to tell someone that something is good for them
hidden
not easy to find; secret
spot
a particular place
tourist
a person who visits a new place for pleasure
local
a person who lives in a certain area
guide
a person who shows others around a place

✍️ Practice

Guess the missing word.
1. Before you leave, take time to explore the small streets near the market.
2. This quiet park is the perfect spot for a picnic.
3. I always recommend the Italian restaurant on Elm Street.
4. The cafe is in a hidden courtyard that many people miss.
5. If you walk slowly, you might discover a beautiful old fountain.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
1. Before you leave, take time to explore the small streets near the market.
2. This quiet park is the perfect spot for a picnic.
3. I always recommend the Italian restaurant on Elm Street.
4. The cafe is in a hidden courtyard that many people miss.
5. If you walk slowly, you might discover a beautiful old fountain.

📖 Reading

Three Hidden Spots in My City

Hi, I'm Leo, and I live in a busy city. A lot of tourists come here, but they usually visit the same places. I want to help you find the hidden spots that only locals know. Here is my short guide. First, you need to discover the Old Library Garden. It is behind the main library. There are benches and flowers, and it is very quiet. Then, walk to the corner of Baker Street and explore the Mural Alley. Artists painted colorful pictures on the walls. It is a great spot for photos. Finally, I recommend the small bakery called Sweet Secrets. A kind local woman named Maria makes amazing cookies there. She can also be a guide to other secret places. First, visit the garden. Then, see the murals. Finally, enjoy a cookie at the bakery. You will love these places!

Comprehension Questions

1.
Where is the Old Library Garden?
It is behind the main library.
2.
What can you find on the walls of Mural Alley?
You can find colorful paintings on the walls.
3.
Why does the writer recommend the bakery?
Because the local woman Maria makes amazing cookies there.
4.
What order does the writer suggest for visiting the three spots?
First the garden, then the murals, finally the bakery.
5.
Who else can show you secret places in the city?
The local woman Maria can be a guide to other secret places.

🎧 Listening Practice

A Local Guide's Favorite Spot

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Listening context

Comprehension Questions

1.
Where should you go first in Samantha's guide?
First, you need to go to the old market square.
2.
What is the name of the tiny street behind the clock tower?
It is called Rose Lane.
3.
What can you see on Rose Lane?
Small shops with handmade jewelry and paintings.
4.
What does Samantha recommend at the coffee shop?
She recommends the best hot chocolate.
5.
Why is this spot not on a tourist map?
Because it is a hidden spot that only locals know.

🗣️ Pair Work

City Guide

"Imagine a visitor is coming to your town. Use first, then, and finally to recommend three places they must see. You can talk about parks, restaurants, museums, or any interesting spot. Practice saying your recommendation out loud."

👉 Introduce your town and say you will give a guide.

👉 Use 'First, recommend' and describe the first place.

👉 Use 'Then, recommend' and describe the second place.

👉 Use 'Finally, recommend' and describe the third place.

🚀 EnglishDee Tasks

KEYWORDS: explore discover recommend hidden spot tourist local guide
✍️ WRITING

Hidden Spots

Write a short guide to 3 cool places in your area that visitors should see. Use first, then, finally. Write 80-100 words.

✅ Checklist:
  • Minimum 80 words, use 4 vocabulary words, use imperatives with first, then, finally, correct spelling and grammar.
🎙️ SPEAKING

City Tour

Record a 45-second talk recommending 1 hidden spot in your town. Start by saying the name of the spot, then describe it, and finally explain why you recommend it. Use first, then, finally.

✅ Checklist:
  • Recording 30-45 seconds, use 4 vocabulary words, use imperatives with sequence words, speak clearly and at natural pace.
Helpful Phrases
  • First, I recommend...
  • Then, you should explore...
  • Finally, discover the...
  • This spot is hidden, but it is great for...
  • A local guide once told me...
  • If you are a tourist, do not miss...