How to introduce yourself in English without sounding like a textbook
Most of us learned to introduce ourselves like a form: name, age, country, hobby. It is correct. It is also the reason the other person nods and walks away.
A good introduction is not a list. It is a small door you open so the other person can walk in and ask a question.
The textbook version
You meet a new colleague on your first day.
The simple formula
Three small parts. That is all:
- Who you are: Hi, I’m Ada.
- Why you are here: I’ve just joined the team / I live next door / I’m here for the course.
- One small detail: I moved from Lagos last year / it’s my first week / I’ve heard great things about this place.
Then stop and ask them something back: "How about you?" A conversation is two people.
Change it for the person
Meeting your new neighbour at the door.
Try it today
- Write your three parts: who, why you are here, one small detail.
- Say it out loud three times, a little faster each time.
- Add "How about you?" at the end.
- Use it with one real person this week.
Want to practise this with a real person? My Conversational English lessons are relaxed, private and on Microsoft Teams. You talk for most of the lesson, and I show you a natural way to say what you mean.
Want help with this?
Book a class and we work on it together, build your free roadmap to see where you stand, or ask us a question first.
