You will introduce yourself hundreds of times this year and almost always with the same six or seven sentences. Learn them once and you never have to think about them again.
1. A Simple Introduction
Emma: Hi. I'm Emma. What's your name?
Daniel: I'm Daniel. Nice to meet you.
Emma: Nice to meet you too. Are you new here?
Daniel: My first week, actually.
Emma: Then welcome.
Daniel: Thanks. Everyone's been kind.
2. Spelling Your Name
Clerk: And your surname?
Ola: Kowalczyk.
Clerk: Could you spell that for me?
Ola: K-O-W-A-L-C-Z-Y-K.
Clerk: Thank you. And your first name?
Ola: Ola. Just three letters.
3. Where Are You From?
Daniel: Where are you from, Emma?
Emma: Manchester. And you?
Daniel: Singapore, originally.
Emma: How long have you been here?
Daniel: Two months.
Emma: Do you like it so far?
4. Meeting a New Neighbour
Ines: Hello. Are you the new neighbour?
Kofi: I am. Kofi, from number nine.
Ines: I'm Ines. I'm just upstairs.
Kofi: Good to meet you.
Ines: If you need anything, knock.
Kofi: That's very kind.
5. Meeting a New Classmate
Sofia: Are you new to this class?
Ryan: Yes. I'm Ryan.
Sofia: I'm Sofia. What are you studying?
Ryan: Computer science. You?
Sofia: Business. Is this seat taken?
Ryan: It's all yours.
6. Talking About Your Job
Ben: So, what do you do?
Claire: I'm a graphic designer. You?
Ben: I work as an accountant.
Claire: How long have you been doing that?
Ben: Five years now.
Claire: You must be good at it.
7. Talking About Your Free Time
James: What do you do in your free time?
Nora: I cook, mostly. And I take photos.
James: What kind of photos?
Nora: Streets, people, that sort of thing.
James: I'd like to see them sometime.
Nora: I'll show you.
8. Introducing a Friend
Tom: Sarah, this is my friend Mike.
Sarah: Hi Mike. Nice to meet you.
Mike: You too.
Tom: Mike and I work together.
Sarah: What do you do there?
Mike: I look after the website.
Words to know
| spell | to say the letters of a word one at a time Could you spell that for me? |
| surname | your family name And your surname? |
| originally | where you were born, even if you live somewhere else now Singapore, originally. |
| so far | up to now Do you like it so far? |
| neighbour | someone who lives near you Are you the new neighbour? |
| work as | to have a particular job I work as an accountant. |
| that sort of thing | and other similar things Streets, people, that sort of thing. |
| Is this seat taken? | a polite way to ask if you may sit down Is this seat taken? |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Hi. I'm Emma. What's your ________?
B: I'm Daniel. Nice to meet you.
2. A: Could you ________ that for me?
B: K-O-W-A-L-C-Z-Y-K.
3. A: Where are you from?
B: Singapore, ________.
4. A: Are you the new ________?
B: I am. Kofi, from number nine.
5. A: So, what do you do?
B: I ________ as an accountant.
6. A: Is this seat ________?
B: It's all yours.
Show the answers
1. name 2. spell 3. originally 4. neighbour 5. work 6. taken
Common mistakes
Not: I have thirty years.
Say: I'm thirty.
English uses be with age, not have.
Not: How do you call yourself?
Say: What's your name?
This one is translated word for word from other languages. English only asks What's your name?
Not: I work as accountant.
Say: I work as an accountant.
Job names need a or an in front of them.
Your turn
Imagine your first day in a new class or a new job. Say these five things aloud, one after another.
- Say your name and spell your family name, letter by letter.
- Say where you are from and how long you have been here.
- Say what you do or study, and for how long.
- Say one thing you do in your free time.
- Introduce a friend to someone and say how you know each other.
Quick review
Record a thirty-second introduction of yourself: your name, where you are from, what you do, and one thing you enjoy. Play it back and cut anything that is not needed. Short introductions are remembered; long ones are not.