Learn English Introduce Yourself in English Innovative English
Imagine you’re on a plane. There’s someone
next to you. What do you say?
Hi. Alisha here.
Introducing yourself in English is easy. In
this lesson, you’re going to learn how with
Gustavo and Henry, who meet on a plane
Gustavo’s moving to New York. His family is
going to join him later in the month. Henry
is in the seat when Gustavo gets on the plane.
Let’s watch!
Excuse me.
Sorry about that!
Hi! How do you do? I’m Gustavo.
Nice to meet you, Gustavo. I’m Henry Eddins.
I’m sorry. Can you say that again, please?
A bit slowly?
Henry Eddins.
Henry Eddins.
That’s it. But please call me Hank.
Hank. Nice to meet you.
Now, with subtitles!
Excuse me.
Sorry about that!
Hi! How do you do? I’m Gustavo.
Nice to meet you, Gustavo. I’m Henry Eddins.
I’m sorry. Can you say that again, please?
A bit slowly?
Henry Eddins.
Henry Eddins.
That’s it. But please call me Hank.
Hank. Nice to meet you.
Here are the key words from the scene.
Hi
but
Excuse me.
too
Nice to meet you.
How do you do?
Here are the key phrases from the scene.
How did Henry apologize when he realized he
was in Gustavo’s way?
Sorry about that.
Sor-ry a-bout that.
In general, this expression, when used to
respond to “Excuse me,” shows a friendly willingness
to help the other person.
In this case, Henry wanted to show he was
happy to move out of Gustavo’s way.
You can also use it to apologize for a small
mistake, like bumping into someone on the
street, or blocking someone’s way in the aisle of a supermarket.
Now you try! Say Henry’s line after Gustavo speaks.
Excuse me
Sorry about that.
Later, Gustavo also used the word ‘sorry’
to apologize when he didn’t understand Henry’s
name. Which phrase did he use?
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.
This is a very common phrase in English for many situations, but here Gustavo uses it
to indicate he didn’t understand something.
Now you try! Say the line after Henry speaks.
I’m sorry.
I’m Henry Eddins.
I’m sorry
Because Gustavo did not understand something,
he asked Henry to repeat what he said. To
do this, what polite question did he use?
Can you say that again, please?
Can you say that again, please?
In response, English speakers will usually repeat what they have said, and will use the
same words.
Now you try! Ask the question after Gustavo
says “I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry
Can you say that again, please?
Gustavo also wanted Henry to speak more slowly.
To do this, what does he ask?
A bit slowly?
A bit slowly?
This is not a complete sentence, but has a
clear meaning when used after “Can you say
that again, please?” In response English speakers
will slow their speech down.
Now you try! Say the phrase after Gustavo
says “Can you say that again, please?”
A bit slowly?
After Gustavo said Henry’s name, Henry confirmed
he said it correctly. How did he do that?
That’s it.
That’s it.
This is like saying, “That’s correct,” but
since the situation was friendly, “That’s
it” sounded more natural.
Now you try! Say the phrase after Gustavo
says Henry’s name correctly.
Henry Eddins.
That’s it.
Now, the lesson focus.
Here’s how to introduce yourself. Ready?
Do you remember how Gustavo introduced himself?
Hi! How do you do? I’m Gustavo.
When Gustavo introduced himself, he started
with “Hi!” and then used a set phrase
How do you do?
How do you do?
This is a polite expression people often use
with an introduction. It sounds like a question,
but it has no particular meaning, and there’s
no expectation the other person will try to answer it.
Next, he says
I’m Gustavo.
The first part of this sentence is a contraction
of two words, “I” and “am.” The “am” here
functions like an equals sign in math.
I’m
The next word in the sentence is a name.
Gustavo.
Together it’s
I’m Gustavo.
The structure of the pattern is
Hi! How do you do? I’m
PLUS
your name
Now you try! Imagine your name is John. Say
“Hi! How do you do? I’m John.”
Hi! How do you do? I’m John.
Now, imagine your name is Aiko. Say “Hi! How
do you do? I’m Aiko.”
Hi! How do you do? I’m Aiko.
Now use your own name.
Ok, there are two additional things you need to know.
First, there’s a shortcut for giving
your name.
Just drop the “I’m” from the final sentence
of the self-introduction.
For example, if Gustavo just said
Hi! How do you do? Gustavo.
Henry would have understood it was his name.
This would be especially clear if Gustavo
extended his hand for a handshake while saying
this.
In very casual situations you can even drop
the “Hi! and the “How do you do?” All that
is left would be your name.
The second thing you need to know is, you
can use “I’m” with just the first name, or
your first name and last name together.
I’m Henry Eddins.
Eddins is Henry’s family name.
Using both your first name and your last name
is a little more formal.
It also gives you less privacy. For example,
if people know both your first and last name,
they can find you on the Internet more easily.
So it may be MORE common for strangers to
say just their first name than people meeting
in a more friendly environment.
Next, you’ll learn how to tell people to call
you by a nickname, just like Henry did in the scene
But please call me Hank.
But please call me Hank.
The first word in the sentence is
But
This word is not necessary, but it makes the
transition to the rest of the sentence smoother.
Henry uses this to introduce a new piece of
information.
And this information changes something about
what he said before. “But” makes this clear.
The next word introduces a polite request.
Please
Please
Next is a request to use a certain name.
call
call
After this is the word
me
me
Last is a common nickname for men named Henry.
Hank
Hank
Please call me Hank.
The sentence structure is
Please call me
plus
your nick name
Now you try! Imagine your nickname is Matt.
Say “Please call me Matt.”
Please call me Matt
Now, imagine your nickname is Lulu.
Say “Please call me Lulu.”
Please, call me Lulu.
Now use your own nickname. Say “please call
me” and then use your nickname.
Finally, when you meet someone for the first
time, it’s polite to say a set phrase at the end
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Usually, both people will say this or something similar to it.
Now you try.
Nice to meet you.
Now it’s time to practice your new ability.
Let’s practice! This is your chance to to introduce yourself.
Try to remember what you learned and by speaking aloud!
It’s your first day in the U.S., and you’re meeting your new neighbor. Ready? Here we go.
What’s the first thing you say to someone
you’ve just met?
Hi! How do you do?
How do you tell someone your name?
I’m [NAME]
I’m Henry Eddins.
How do you tell someone your nickname?
Please call me [Your nickname]
Please call me Hank.
What’s the last thing you say to someone you’ve just met?
Nice to meet you.
Great job! You’ve just introduced yourself!
You’ll follow this same pattern many times,
so be sure to practice it.
Well done! Now, watch the scene one more time. After
that,
go and practice with all your American friends
— or with us in the comments!
Bye.
Excuse me. Sorry about that!
Hi! How do you do? I’m Gustavo.
Nice to meet you, Gustavo. I’m Henry Eddins.
I’m sorry. Can you say that again, please?
A bit slowly?
Henry Eddins.
Henry Eddins.
That’s it. But please call me Hank.
Hank. Nice to meet you.