Hello my English learning friends and welcome back to the Easy English Podcast.
I'm Oliver, and today we are going to talk about a very interesting and useful topic, and that is introductions.
So how to introduce yourself and make a great first impression in English.
Now, this might sound a little bit boring, but it is an interesting topic, I promise.
Because this is something that so many English learners struggle with.
They find difficult.
And not because it is difficult, but because there are so many different ways to introduce yourself, depending on the situation.
So today we're going to look at a lot of different areas.
This is going to be a big, comprehensive, detailed guide about how to introduce yourself.
So we're going to look at it step by step.
We're going to look at how to introduce yourself naturally, and how to also respond when someone else introduces themselves, and what to say to keep the conversation going.
And also some common mistakes to avoid.
And we'll even look at how introductions can be different online.
So we're going to cover so much.
We will even do like a realistic introduction simulation so that you can see yourself in that situation.
So my aim is that by the end of this episode, you will feel more confident introducing yourself in English.
So let's get started.
So first things first, why did I think of this topic?
Well, for me this topic is quite important because when you meet someone, the first thing that you usually do is start a conversation by introducing yourself and be beginning that conversation.
And it can be quite awkward, quite hard for learners at the start.
Maybe you don't know what to say, you're not sure how to say it.
And I've heard all sorts of variations.
I have heard people say very strange things, introducing themselves.
I've heard all types of introductions.
So let's start with the basics.
And it might sound simple, but just bear with me, we'll get into more complicated parts a little bit later.
So we'll start with the basics.
When you meet someone new, what do you say?
Well, in English, as you've probably noticed, we usually keep it quite simple and quite friendly.
So for example, hi, I'm Oliver, nice to meet you.
Or, hello, my name is Oliver.
It's great to meet you.
Something like that.
And that's all you need to start with.
But what happens next?
How do you keep that conversation going with the introduction without feeling a little bit awkward?
Okay, so let's imagine a real situation.
So you're at a friend's party, for example, and your friend introduces you to someone new.
Your friend might say, hey, this is Oliver.
Oliver, this is Sarah.
So now we're going to go through step by step what to do.
So what is normal in English?
So first, you're going to smile, of course, and say what your name is.
So, hey, I'm Oliver.
It's nice to meet you.
And that smile is going to help show that you are friendly and confident, even if you're terrified to speak and introduce yourself in English.
This is a great tip.
So with English, if you smile and appear relaxed, even if you haven't a clue what you're talking about or you don't feel so confident, it will make you appear much more confident in English.
And this works really for any language, to be honest.
If you act confident when you're speaking it.
You don't show that you're nervous or concerned or worried.
People will just assume that you're pretty confident at speaking English or that you are a confident, friendly person.
So smile and just introduce yourself simply like, hey, I'm Oliver.
It's nice to meet you.
And usually they will then introduce themselves too.
So like, hey, Oliver, I'm Ben.
It's nice to meet you too.
And after that, the conversation is open.
But if they don't immediately introduce themselves, you can say, what's your name?
Just simple, what is your name?
If they do introduce themselves, now you're left with this silence or a reaction moment.
And this is usually where people struggle, where they don't really know what to say next in English or they're a little bit confused as to what to do.
So what can you say next?
I'm going to give you three options that you can keep in your head and you can just pick whatever one you want.
Next,
The first option is to simply ask a simple question.
So any type of simple question.
For example, are you from around here?
Or depending on the context, you could say, so how do you know?
And then a person that is at the party or maybe introduced you.
Or where are you from?
What is your job?
Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Simple things like that.
So that's the first option to ask any simple question, to start small talk or keeping that introduction going.
The second option. is to give a little extra detail about yourself.
Now this is a great option because you can open up a new area of conversation with kind of a question, but indirectly.
So in a very natural, smooth way that seems to me quite like a native speaker would do it.
So to give a little extra detail about yourself.
And I'll give you an example.
You could say, oh, I just moved here last month, so I'm still getting to know people.
Have you been living here for long?
So it's just a smooth way of asking that question.
Or you could say, I actually work as a teacher.
What about you?
So just mentioning the topic of jobs and jobs taking the conversation there and it takes the pressure off the other person to ask that question.
And the third option, which I think is one of the most popular, and that is commenting on the current situation or environment.
What is going on around?
So if you're at a party, for example, you can say, ah, this party is great.
Have you been to one of, and then a friend's name, parties before?
And just like that, with any of these options, you're having a conversation instead of some awkward silence or introduction.
In my view, introductions are simple and you'll notice from what i've told you all you need to do is say hi, my name is oliver, it's nice to meet you.
That's it.
That is the introduction.
That is the basic introduction, and then what you want to do is to try to learn more about that other person.
So you want to naturally move into some questions or talking a little bit about yourself, and making sure to ask people questions as well at the end of the information that you're giving.
So.
One of the big mistakes that I see when I've been maybe teaching students and adults as well around small talk and communication is that they don't ask open-ended questions after they finish speaking.
So they will talk about themselves and answer a question and then just stop.
So, for example, someone might ask, like, what do you think about your job?
Do you like your job?
And they just go, yes, I like my job.
And that's it.
And then there's silence and you think, hmm.
It's so clear why this conversation is not working.
You need to give the other person something to go off of, something to use to continue that conversation.
So instead of just saying, yes, I like it, you could say, yeah, I find my job very interesting.
I love working with people.
What do you think about your job?
Do you also like it?
And that gives the other person some details.
It tells them that you like working with people and that you're a people person.
And it also asks them to share a little bit about their job.
And instead of even saying, do you like your job?
You can ask more open ended question like, what do you like about your job?
And that will mean the person can't answer yes or no.
They have to give you more information.
And this is a good trick for trying to get conversation going.
So in those introductions, in those initial getting to know each other parts, Try to avoid yes or no questions.
Just more open-ended questions that stimulates, it encourages conversation.
So more conversation and more sharing.
And as a result, you will get to know each other better, which is great.
Okay, so what about introducing yourself in different situations?
So, of course, whenever we're having a casual introduction, like you're meeting someone at a party or a friend's friend, something like that you can just simply say hey, I'm Oliver, nice to meet you, or something very casual.
But in a more formal situation, so like in a business meeting or a job interview, it is much better to use more structure.
So, for example, what you want to do is say a greeting.
So like good morning or good afternoon.
I'm Oliver.
And then your surname as well.
So I'm, let's say, John Doe.
I work in or I do this.
It's a pleasure to meet you or it's very nice to meet you.
So take that structure.
So a greeting like good morning, good afternoon, good evening.
I'm and then your full name.
I work in whatever you work in.
And then it's a pleasure to meet you all or it's very nice to meet you all.
And this sounds more professional.
And one of the key distinctions or key differences, distinction difference is in more formal settings.
You want to introduce yourself with your full name.
Of course, in casual settings, you will just use your first name.
So a brief, more casual introduction of just I'm Oliver instead of Oliver and my last name, which I'm not going to say.
So yeah, this is the best way to sound a little bit probably more professional.
And another section I wanted to talk about is introducing yourself online.
So these days, you're probably going to find that you introduce yourself online quite a bit.
If we think about it for a short amount of time, we might introduce ourselves in a Zoom call for work, a language chat, for example, a language exchange, maybe some kind of an online speaking club or English lessons, maybe even on social media, in groups or chats that we're added into.
But how can you introduce yourself online without sounding awkward?
So...
There are some examples.
In a professional Zoom meeting, for example, you could say you're going to follow essentially the same routine or the same kind of structure as you would for those previous professional ones.
So you're just going to say, hi, everyone.
I'm Oliver and I work as blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
I'm looking forward to working with you all.
And in a more casual setting, so an online group on Facebook or WhatsApp.
You're going to again have that more casual feel.
I would say in general, whatever.
With introducing yourself online.
So on the internet it is more casual and less formal always, almost always.
Even interviews and business meetings.
There's something about them being online that make them seem to me less formal.
But of course, the same situations apply.
If it's a business thing or work related, keep it more professional.
If it's casual, just with friends or language exchange, keep it more friendly and short.
So don't overthink it is my advice.
Do not overthink at all.
So what not to do when introducing yourself.
Let's talk about some common mistakes that you should try to avoid.
And the first is being too formal in a casual situation.
For example, I've heard this from learners quite a bit when I've met them or I've met people in a foreign country, and maybe it's a casual situation, but they introduce themselves in a very formal way.
So, for example, if you said like, greetings, I am Jonathan Smith.
It's nice to meet your acquaintance or it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
This sounds very serious.
It sounds very intense.
Instead, you know, he should have just said, hey, I'm Jonathan.
It's nice to meet you.
I've lost count of how many times I've heard people introduce themselves in some very strange intense, long ways.
Keep it simple.
Keep it easy if it's casual and don't make it seem like you're a very serious person.
In English because English is quite a simple, short language for the most part in terms of our replies and our questions.
We don't really make things too formal, unless it's a very formal situation.
For example, in some languages...
There are different ways to address people, different grammar.
So I know.
In Russian, for example, there are different grammar forms for someone that you don't really know very well maybe someone who is your superior or your senior at work and other forms for people who are younger than you and more friends or friendly terms.
In English, we don't have this so much.
We have more just context-based language.
So if you're talking to your boss, for example, it could be very casual, very casual indeed.
And you might not be speaking too different from you would to a friend.
But let's say you met your boss for the first time, or someone more senior in your company, then of course you're going to use more formal language.
But the good news is that English does not have this classification as much.
So you don't really need to worry about it all that much.
The next point that you want to avoid, when you meet people for the first time and you're introducing yourself, is speaking too fast or too quietly.
If people can't hear or they can't understand you, they might feel a little bit awkward.
So it's better to speak slower, more clear and more confident.
Sometimes people try to overcomplicate their speech.
So they try to use complicated phrases, complicated words, and try to get that perfect introduction.
Whereas in reality, you're better just to slow things down.
Keep things simple.
Keep things clear and confident.
Think about if you were talking to someone.
Would you like them to talk very fast and very complicated and to be unclear?
No, absolutely not.
So you want to keep that same approach with English as well.
What else do people do incorrectly when introducing themselves?
I've talked about this a little bit before and that is forgetting to ask something back.
So if someone introduces themselves, don't just say it's nice to meet you and stop talking.
It's better to always ask something in return, a small little comment or point, just to keep that conversation going, to keep things moving.
Okay, so we are not quite at the end of our episode yet.
We still have some more interesting topics around meeting people and introductions.
But first i just want to remind you that um, you know, if you would like to get more advanced and upper intermediate level episodes, do check out the Patreon link.
It is in the description of this episode.
You can check the description, click the link and have a look.
It really helps to support this project.
It's the only way that I earn something from this project in order to continue to make things to develop, to pay for website hosting, all of that type of thing.
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Let's go back to the episode.
So when meeting someone for the first time in different cultures, there are different ways of having bonds body language with the speech that you're using as well.
So, for example, in Japan I know that people bow, so they sort of bend over.
They bow over in ways in some cases when they're meeting each other for the first time.
I know that in some European countries it is common to kiss each other on each cheek even, or to hug for a first meeting.
In general, in English speaking countries, we tend to keep things quite simple with body language.
And I could just give a few tips which I think are universal to all almost every country nowadays, but also at least every english-speaking country that I know of.
So you want to, of course, shake hands at the least, so have a nice firm handshake and to make eye contact while you're shaking hands and talking to that person.
Eye contact is so important to show that you're confident, that you're friendly and that you're looking forward to meeting that person.
And smile while you do it.
It's friendly, it's positive and it's a great way to make a positive introduction.
But don't keep too close to the person.
So in the UK and a lot of other Western countries too, there is a big, big point around personal space.
So it is quite cultural.
It's within mentality.
So it is a culture.
English-speaking cultures in general are very big on valuing personal space.
So just make sure that you're about an arm's length away from new people that you meet.
Don't be too close and too comfortable.
It can take people sometimes a little bit of time to get to know you and to be comfortable with you being a little bit closer.
So if you do all of those steps, if you sort of use that quick, simple introduction you ask lots of questions, you shake their hand, you smile and you've got a friendly, open face with good eye contact, you should leave a good first impression with that person.
I was actually reading and I didn't want to say this at the start of the episode because I don't want people to be worried about first impressions or what people think of you.
But after seeing hopefully, and after we've talked about how simple it is to make an introduction, to meet people and make a first impression in English, I feel like we can talk about it.
And that is that people can form a first impression of another person within seven seconds of meeting them.
So there are some studies on this showing that it happens very, very quickly.
So as soon as we see someone, we make initial judgments about them whenever we first meet them, at the very beginning.
And we look at subconsciously about their trustworthiness.
So how trusting we can be towards them, how much we trust them to their confidence or competence and their attractiveness as well.
So these are all things like facial expressions, body language and even the environment in which the interaction takes place can help with this.
And the reasons for this supposedly, are some biological reasons, helping us to very quickly, without having to think about it, look at whether a person is a danger or a benefit to us.
And, as a result, those first few impressions, those first few moments with introduction, are very, very important.
So that's why this episode and that's why thinking about this and at least practicing it and trying to keep it simple and focus on the basics is very important.
So there are a couple of different studies.
One study does show it takes about seven seconds for this impression to be made.
There is another survey or study which shows that it takes up to about 27 seconds, regardless of what time it is.
We can determine from these scientific studies That it is that initial meeting, those first few words handshake, body language, which determines what someone thinks about you, what someone's initial sort of strong impression is.
And the problem is once we've made that first impression, it's quite hard to change it.
It takes some time.
Of course it can develop and change, but it's harder.
So it's better that you make a good first impression.
And I think if we even look at that, so it takes seven seconds.
In those seven seconds, you've probably not even spoken that much in English.
So to me it seems like the body language, the way you act, that smile on your face and good eye contact is more important than what you say, because you're going to give that person a good impression just by how you're looking and acting, before you even try to speak English.
So from that perspective it really takes the pressure off of introducing yourself and meeting people in English language.
Because the best thing you can do is appear friendly and confident and give those good signals of eye contact, handshake and a nice big smile on your face, which I think is great.
Okay, so now I'm going to read you a few example introductions, just very quick, a couple of sentences in a few different contexts.
So the first is going to be at a coffee shop.
It's an introduction between two people.
I will also try and change my voice between each person.
Let's see.
Okay.
So, hi, I'm Alex.
I couldn't help but notice that book that you're reading.
I love that offer.
Oh, hi, Alex.
I'm Sam.
Yes, it's actually my favorite.
Have you read their latest one?
Not yet, but it's on my list.
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely.
It's great.
I thought that it was amazing.
What is your favorite book?
So you can see from that example just how those questions were asked at the end of each sentence, keeping that conversation flow, going and moving that introduction to a topic.
In this case, the two people didn't know each other.
They didn't really need to know each other, so they could jump straight into talking about something that interested them, that they had in common.
Now let's look at another scenario.
And that is meeting a new neighbor.
So someone has moved in beside you.
So into another apartment.
And this is between two guys.
So Chris and Jordan.
I'm just keeping it guys because I can't do a very good female voice.
Okay, so bear with me.
Hey, I'm Chris from apartment freebie.
I just wanted to say hi.
Nice to meet you, Chris.
I'm Jordan from apartment 4A.
How are you finding the building?
It's great so far.
Have you lived here long?
Yeah, years, I love it here.
If you need any local tips, let me know.
Okay, so we can see from this interaction that the introduction again is very simple, so quite casual, just first names and where they're from, which gives the sort of reason for the introduction.
And we can see here as well that Jordan, so he asked Chris, how are you finding the building?
So it's looking at that situation again, a comment about something relevant about the context.
So they both live in the apartment and he's asking, oh, does he like the building?
Does he like living there?
And it keeps the conversation going.
And again, Chris responded with a question.
So you can keep responding at the end of your response with a question to keep that conversation moving forward.
Okay, so let's now have an example of a formal conversation.
So introductions in formal situations.
So at a conference, okay?
So we're going to have Dr. Lee and Mr. Thompson.
So this is at a conference, a business conference.
Good morning.
I'm Dr. Lee, one of the panelists.
And your name is?
Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Lee.
I'm Mr. Thompson.
I oversee research at the university.
Wonderful, Mr. Thompson.
Perhaps there's an opportunity for collaboration in the future.
I believe so.
Let's arrange a meeting to discuss further.
OK, so this was.
Don't pay too much attention to the specific details, but the points I would point to show formal language, so that good morning instead of hi, pleasure to meet you, instead of nice to meet you, and just more formal language in general.
It shows that it is a more professional, formal introduction.
Let's look at another scenario from a business meeting.
Good afternoon.
I'm Mr. Patel from the finance department.
How do you do?
Very well.
Thank you, Mr. Patel.
I'm Mr. Wagner from HR.
It's good to finally meet you.
Likewise, Mr. Wagner.
I believe that we have some discussions to cover.
Yes, let's get started.
So again we've got the likes of the good afternoon very well, thank you.
So that politeness there, added into these phrases and some more formal language that doesn't really tell me it's a casual situation.
So hopefully these are just a few examples that you can use for getting an idea of how the language should be in more casual introductions and more formal introductions.
So I hope that is more clear.
For me, I usually, to be honest, don't really like first time introductions.
Everyone is different.
I know that some people are extroverted.
Some people are introverted, particularly if you go to a party or you're meeting new people.
Sometimes I'm in the mood.
And I think, wow, this is great.
Let's find out more information about that other person.
There are just other times when I really can't be bothered.
So I'm just not in the mood.
I don't really want to.
And I understand it can take so much effort to try to push yourself to speak, to smile, to ask questions.
And it can be quite difficult, to be honest.
It can be really difficult.
So I appreciate that it's not an easy thing to do.
But it is something that we all do need to do in most areas of our life, whether it's work, whether it's socially or whether it's just in public, and you've met someone randomly and they've started talking to you.
Of course, it's nice.
But my final sort of words of advice today would be don't stress.
Just make sure you're either not too formal or not too casual, depending on the situation, and focus more on those other aspects we talked about.
So just being friendly, having good eye contact and focusing on the basics of conversation, rather than stressing out about the English.
Just keep it simple, really do.
I just don't really like introductions, and I keep it simple, and I think it works fine.
So take it from a native speaker, from a teacher, that I just don't think it's the most important thing in the world.
I know people stress out about it, but as long as you're friendly, positive and confident with your introduction, no matter what you do, I think you'll be absolutely fine with no issues at all.
So thank you so much for listening.
Again.
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Thank you so much again and have an amazing rest of your day.
Goodbye.
