City Landmarks Slides CITY FEATURES
& LANDMARKS
城市景观与地标
Unit: Urban Navigation & Travel Planning
MYSTERY LOCATION
Random Street View Drop
Teacher: Show a 360° view of a major Chinese city (Beijing/Shanghai) here.
Your Mission:
Find and name 3 urban features you see.
Consider:
• How are cars moving?
• What structures are visible?
• Where are the people?
Urban Infrastructure | 城市基础设施
十字路口
shízì lùkǒu · Intersection
立交桥
lìjiāoqiáo · Overpass / Flyover
地铁站
dìtiézhàn · Subway Station
红绿灯
hónglǜdēng · Traffic Light
Key Landmarks | 地标
天安门广场
Tiananmen Square
Beijing's heart
东方明珠
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai Skyline
外滩
The Bund
Historic Waterfront
Check for Understanding
"上海的**东方明珠**在黄浦江边。"
NEXT STEP: MAP DETECTIVES
You are about to receive a map of central Beijing. Your goal is to find specific infrastructure items and landmarks using the vocabulary we just learned.
SCAN
Look for intersections & stations
MARK
Circle and label in Mandarin
Map Detective Worksheet MAP DETECTIVE
Urban Navigation & Travel Planning · Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Urban Vocabulary Match (词汇练习)
Match the Chinese term to its English equivalent and Pinyin.
1. 十字路口
2. 地铁站
3. 红绿灯
4. 立交桥
5. 广场
A. lìjiāoqiáo (Overpass / Flyover)
B. dìtiézhàn (Subway Station)
C. guǎngchǎng (Public Square)
D. shízì lùkǒu (Intersection)
E. hónglǜdēng (Traffic Light)
Part 2: Map Detective (地图侦探)
BEIJING CENTRAL AREA MAP
(Refer to the classroom display or handout map of Dongcheng District)
Location A:
Near Tiananmen Square
Location B:
Wangfujing Intersection
Location C:
Dongzhimen Station
1. Look at Location A. What is the major landmark located there in Chinese?
2. Find Location B. Is this a **shízì lùkǒu** or a **lìjiāoqiáo**? Circle one and explain how you know.
3. Describe the location of Location C using the word **dìtiézhàn**.
Part 3: Urban Designer (我的城市)
Draw a simple sketch of your own school's "urban infrastructure" (the intersection near the school, the entrance, etc.). Label at least 3 items using today's vocabulary.
City Landmarks Teacher Guide TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 1: City Features & Landmarks
Day 1 of 5
Objectives
• Identify 8+ urban infrastructure terms.
• Locate 3 major Chinese landmarks on a map.
• Use locational vocabulary in context.
Materials
• City Landmarks Slide Deck
• Map Detective Worksheet
• Projector for Google Earth
Timing
50 Minute Session:
1. The Hook: Google Earth Mystery Drop (10 min)
Start the lesson by projecting Google Earth (Street View) in a random, dense area of Beijing (e.g., near Sanlitun) or Shanghai (near East Nanjing Road).
"同学们，看看这张图。我们现在在哪里？你看到了什么？(Look at this image. Where are we? What do you see?)"
Goal: Encourage students to use English/Mandarin they already know (buildings, cars, lights) to bridge to new vocab.
Instructional Key Points
1
Concept: The "Four-Way" Intersection
Explain that **十字路口** (shízì lùkǒu) literally means "cross-character road mouth," referencing the character for ten (十) which looks like a cross. This mnemonic helps with retention.
2
Geographic Awareness: Beijing vs. Shanghai
Briefly mention the layout differences: Beijing is a grid (north-south focus), while Shanghai follows the winding Huangpu river. This affects how landmarks are described.
Differentiation Strategies
Support:
Provide a "word bank" with English/Pinyin/Characters printed on the desks for students to reference during the Map Detective activity.
Challenge:
Ask advanced students to describe the relative positions of two landmarks (e.g., "The Bund is east of the Pearl Tower") using prepositions from previous units.
Movement Grammar Slides MOVEMENT
& DIRECTION
Directional Complements
趋向补语
The Logic of 趋向补语
1. Action Verb
走 (zǒu)
跑 (pǎo)
开 (kāi)
转 (zhuǎn)
2. Direction
过来 (guòlái)
过去 (guòqù)
进去 (jìnqù)
出来 (chūlái)
WHERE IS THE SPEAKER? (来 vs 去)
来 (lái)
Movement **towards** the speaker
过来 / 进来 / 出来
去 (qù)
Movement **away** from the speaker
过去 / 进去 / 出去
Street Navigation | 街道导航
01
往前走
wǎng qián zǒu
Walk straight ahead
02
往右转
wǎng yòu zhuǎn
Turn right
03
穿过马路
chuānguò mǎlù
Cross the street
04
走过去
zǒu guòqù
Walk over there
BLINDFOLD NAVIGATOR
One student is blindfolded.
No English! Precise Movement
Navigator Command Cards NAVIGATOR COMMAND CARDS
Lesson 2: Directional Movement Game
Instructions: Cut these cards out. One partner (The Navigator) holds the cards. The other partner (The Explorer) is blindfolded. The Navigator must read the commands in Mandarin to guide the Explorer through the classroom obstacle course.
往前走
wǎng qián zǒu
Walk Forward (Straight)
往右转
wǎng yòu zhuǎn
Turn Right
往左转
wǎng zuǒ zhuǎn
Turn Left
停！
tíng!
STOP!
往后退一步
wǎng hòu tuì yí bù
Take one step back
慢点儿走
màn diǎnr zǒu
Walk slowly / Watch out
© 2026 Urban Navigation Mandarin Sequence
Intermediate Mandarin · Lesson 2 Activity
Movement Teacher Guide TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 2: Directional Complements Workshop
Day 2 of 5
Objectives
• Apply directional complements (来/去).
• Use directional particles (往).
• Execute auditory navigation commands.
Materials
• Movement Grammar Slides
• Navigator Command Cards
• Blindfolds (1 per pair)
Timing
50 Minute Session:
Grammar Strategy: Speaker Orientation
The most common hurdle for 8th graders with directional complements is the **Speaker's Position**.
Strategy: "The Magnet"
Tell students the speaker is a magnet. 来 (lái) is the pull (towards the magnet). 去 (qù) is the push (away from the magnet).
Visual Cue:
Always stand at the front of the room when teaching **过来**. Move to the back when teaching **过去** to physically demonstrate the change.
Blindfold Navigator Setup
1
The Course: Use chairs and backpacks to create a path from one side of the room to the other. Ensure paths are safe and wide enough for one student.
2
Safety First: The "Navigator" (unblindfolded) is responsible for the "Explorer's" safety. If the Explorer is about to hit something, the Navigator MUST yell 停 (tíng) immediately.
3
Assessment: Circulate and listen for the correct use of 往 (wǎng) + Direction + Verb. Note if students are using English; if so, gently redirect to the command cards.
Wrap-Up Discussion:
• Which command was the hardest to remember? Why?
• How did the physical movement help you remember the Mandarin?
• "I felt ____ when my partner told me to walk straight." (Fill in the blank in Mandarin).
Public Transit Slides PUBLIC
TRANSIT
Metros, Buses, and Transfers
公共交通
SUBWAY VOCAB | 地铁词汇
一号线
yī hào xiàn · Line 1
换乘站
huànchéng zhàn · Transfer Station
方向
fāngxiàng · Direction
终点站
zhōngdiǎn zhàn · Terminal Station
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? | 交通动词
上车
shàng chē
Get on (vehicle)
下车
xià chē
Get off (vehicle)
换车
huàn chē
Transfer / Change
The Announcement | 广播
Standard Formula
"前方到站是王府井。请从左侧门下车。换乘地铁一号线的乘客请准备。"
• 前方到站 (qiánfāng dàozhàn): Next stop is...
• 左侧 (zuǒcè): Left side
• 准备 (zhǔnbèi): Prepare / Get ready
TRANSIT CHALLENGE
You are at Dongzhimen . You need to get to The Summer Palace (Beigongmen) .
How many lines? Which stations?
Metro Master Handout METRO MASTER CHALLENGE
Urban Navigation & Travel Planning · Lesson 3
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Route Planning (路线规划)
Starting Point
北京南站
Beijing South Station
Destination
王府井
Wangfujing
1. Which line (线) should you take first? Write the name in Mandarin.
2. Do you need to transfer (换乘)? If so, at which station?
3. Write a full sentence explaining your route: "我坐___线到___站，然后换乘___线。"
Part 2: Announcement Decoder (听力练习)
Listen to the classroom audio clip and fill in the blanks in the official announcement script.
"前方到站是 _______________ 。请从 _______________ 侧门下车。换乘地铁 _______________ 线 的乘客请准备。"
Word Bank (English Hints):
• Next stop (前方到站)
• Side (侧)
• Passenger (乘客)
• Prepare (准备)
Summary Question:
What is the very last thing the announcer asks the passengers to do? (Answer in English)
Part 3: Ticket Booth Roleplay (买票)
Write a short dialogue (at least 4 lines) between a traveler and a ticket machine or agent to buy 2 tickets to the Airport (机场).
Transit Teacher Guide TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 3: Navigating Public Transportation
Day 3 of 5
Objectives
• Interpret complex subway maps.
• Decode formal transit announcements.
• Execute multi-step transit directions.
Materials
• Public Transit Slide Deck
• Metro Master Handout
• Audio clip of a Beijing/Shanghai subway.
Timing
50 Minute Session:
Activity Facilitation: The 2-Minute Sprint
"You have 2 minutes to find the fastest way from A to B."
Why it works: In real travel, navigation is high-stakes and time-sensitive. This simulates that pressure.
Teacher Tip: Use an online interactive Beijing Metro map (like ExploreMetro) for the sprint. It allows you to zoom in and out and see real-time connections.
Announcement Listening Workshop
Subway announcements in China are highly standardized. Train students to listen for Keywords rather than every syllable.
Key Phrase Meaning Action 前方到站 (qiánfāng dàozhàn) Next stop... Check the map. 换乘 (huànchéng) Transfer / Change... Get ready to get off. 准备 (zhǔnbèi) Prepare... Move toward the doors.
Common Student Errors:
Students often confuse 上车 (get on) and 开车 (drive car) . Remind them that 上 (shàng) and 下 (xià) act as movement markers for boarding, just like 'up into' and 'down out of'.
Asking for Help Slides ASAKING FOR HELP
Politeness and Clarification
礼貌询问与交流
POLITE INTERRUPTIONS | 礼貌开头
"不好意思..."
bù hǎoyìsi...
"请问..."
qǐngwèn...
Combine them for max politeness: "不好意思，请问..."
WHAT IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND? | 没听懂怎么办？
请再说一遍
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say it again.
请说慢一点儿
qǐng shuō màn yì diǎnr
Please speak a bit slower.
...是什么意思？
...shì shénme yìsi?
What does ... mean?
我的汉语不太好
wǒ de hànyǔ bú tài hǎo
My Mandarin isn't very good.
SIMULATION SCENARIO
The Situation
You are lost near the Forbidden City. Your phone died. You need to find the nearest Subway Station. A local is walking fast.
Step 1: Interruption
"Excuse me, may I ask where the subway station is?"
Step 2: Clarification
"They spoke too fast. Ask them to repeat it slowly."
CHINESE STREET CHALLENGE
"Don't just translate. React!"
Natural Flow
Polite Body Language
Lost and Found Worksheet LOST AND FOUND
Urban Navigation & Travel Planning · Lesson 4
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Dialogue Scramble (对话排序)
A traveler is asking for help. Number the sentences (1-5) to put them in the correct, polite order.
?
谢谢您！我知道了。(Thank you! I understand now.)
?
不好意思，请问地铁站在哪儿？(Excuse me, may I ask where the subway station is?)
?
哦，你往前走，然后左转就到了。(Oh, walk straight, then turn left and you're there.)
?
对不起，您说得太快了，请再说一遍？(Sorry, you spoke too fast, please say it again?)
?
好，我再说慢一点：往前走，左转。(Okay, I'll say it slower: walk straight, turn left.)
Part 2: Clarification Toolkit (澄清工具箱)
Translate these phrases into Mandarin. Use your notes if needed.
1. "Could you speak a bit slower?"
2. "What does 'huànchéng' mean?"
3. "My Mandarin is not very good."
Part 3: Script Your Scenario (剧本编写)
Choose a landmark from Lesson 1 (e.g., The Bund). Write a short script where you ask for directions and have to ask for clarification because the person is speaking too fast.
Asking Help Teacher Guide TEACHER GUIDE
Lesson 4: Asking for and Giving Help
Day 4 of 5
Objectives
• Use 2+ polite openers (不好意思/请问).
• Apply clarification strategies.
• Roleplay a breakdown in communication.
Materials
• Asking for Help Slides
• Lost and Found Worksheet
• Audio of background street noise.
Timing
50 Minute Session:
Hook: The Noise Challenge
Play a clip of a busy Chinese street (Honks, bicycle bells, crowd chatter) and speak a very fast directional command in Mandarin over it.
The Point: Students realize that even if they know the vocab, environment matters. They NEED survival phrases to handle real-world conditions.
The Phrase: "不好意思，请再说一遍？(Sorry, say it again?)" becomes their shield.
Cultural Spotlight: Social Etiquette
In many Chinese cities, people walk quickly and may seem dismissive. Explain to students that using 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) is like a social olive branch—it acknowledges you are taking their time.
"Students should learn to match the energy of the speaker. If the person is in a rush, keep the inquiry short: 'Station? (地铁站在哪儿？)' rather than a long formal speech."
Roleplay Feedback Checklist
Did they use a polite opener?
Did they maintain eye contact?
Did they ask to slow down?
Was the ending a polite "Thank you"?
Itinerary Presentation Slides THE URBAN
EXPLORER
Capstone Itinerary Project
我的城市一日游
THE MISSION | 项目要求
The Route
3 distinct stops in one Chinese city (Beijing/Shanghai).
The Transit
Explain how to get there (Subway Line #, Transfer stations).
The Pitch
Present in Mandarin. Answer questions from 'travelers'.
PRESENTATION FLOW | 演讲流程
1
Greeting & Intro
"大家好！今天我要介绍我的..."
2
Route Explanation
"第一站是... 我们坐二号线去..."
3
Closing & Questions
"谢谢大家。你们有什么问题吗？"
SUCCESS CRITERIA | 评分标准
Content (内容)
• Accurate subway lines/stops.
• Correct use of direction vocab.
• Logical travel sequence.
Delivery (表达)
• Clear pronunciation.
• Fluency (limited reading from notes).
• Confidence & Eye contact.
PITCH DAY
"You aren't just presenting a project. You are pitching the ultimate city tour to your clients."
Convincing Accurate Polite
Itinerary Planning Template URBAN EXPLORER ITINERARY
Final Capstone Project · Lesson 5
Designer:
Target City:
Route Logistics (路线细节)
Stop # Landmark (地标) Transport (交通方式) Start Point -- Stop 1
|
|
| Stop 2 |
|
|
| Stop 3 |
|
|
Presentation Scripting (演讲稿)
Draft your opening, your main directions, and your closing. Use directional complements (过来/过去) and prepositions (往...转).
Opening (开场白)
The "Crucial Transfer" (核心路线)
Closing (总结)
Route Visualization (路线草图)
Sketch your route here. Use different colors for different subway lines!
Itinerary Project Rubric RUBRIC
Urban Explorer Travel Pitch
Capstone Evaluation
Student:
Total Score:
/ 20
Criteria Mastery (5) Proficient (4) Developing (3) Beginning (1-2) Linguistic Accuracy (Movement Grammar) Flawless use of directional complements (过来/过去) and 'wang' + verb. Consistent use with minor errors that do not affect meaning. Inconsistent use; some confusion between 'lai' and 'qu'. Frequent errors make directions hard to follow. Logistical Content (City Navigation) Precise transit routes, line numbers, and station names. Mostly accurate routes; minor confusion on line connections. Routes are vague or missing key transfer steps. Transit details are missing or entirely incorrect. Presentational Skills (Delivery) Speaks clearly, maintains eye contact, pitch is convincing. Audible and clear; relies occasionally on notes. Difficulty with pronunciation; heavily reliant on notes. Speaks too quietly or reads directly from paper. Engagement (Answering Questions) Responds fluently and politely to audience questions. Answers questions with minor hesitation. Needs significant teacher support to answer questions. Unable to respond to audience inquiries.
Teacher Feedback
Strengths:
Areas for Growth: 
