How to Introduce Yourself in English (Like a Pro)

If you have difficulty when it comes to introducing yourself to someone for the first fourth dimension, you shouldn't experience embarrassed. A lot of native speakers too become tongue-tied natural language-tied: not able to speak because you feel shy or nervous when talking about themselves!

Even and then, if your goal is to speak English more fluently, it's a good idea to develop a clear and brief introduction for yourself.

That way, yous'll exist ready to respond the about mutual questions that people ask each other – particularly in professional situations and concern contexts:

  • Where are you from?
  • What do yous do?
  • What are your special skills?
  • What are yous passionate about?

Below are some examples of phrases you tin use to introduce yourself and give other people a clear understanding of who you are.

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Matt Lemanski

Example of a Professional Introduction

Below is an instance of a brief introduction in a formal style. This style is commonly used at a job interview or business organisation event, or in a comprehend letter.

As y'all read it, notice the words and ideas included – as well as what is omitted omit: to not include something or someone . In that location are no idioms, no phrasal verbs, no opinions.

You may also notice that at that place are no contractions (I'1000, I've, my name's), which increases the formal tone of the text.

The goal hither is to communicate information about yourself conspicuously and quickly (in but 100 words), while showing a potential employer or client that y'all are a serious professional.

self-portrait

Hello, my name is Matt Lemanski. I am the creator of Speaking of English, a blog for intermediate English learners who want to become more fluent in the linguistic communication. I am originally from the Us and I currently live in Deutschland. I have been a teacher since 2008, and specialize in concern writing and IELTS preparation. Before becoming a teacher, I worked as a copyeditor for government agencies in Washington DC and equally a ghostwriter for startup founders and independent consultants around the world. In my free fourth dimension, I savor hiking, practicing photography, and exploring the city past bike.

For more examples of a business-style introduction, check out:

  • 5 types of LinkedIn summaries (The Muse)
  • How to requite an 'elevator pitch' at a business event (Indeed)

In contrast to the formal style above, allow'south at present expect at a more than informal example of a self-introduction in the chat below.

Example of a Pupil Introduction (for IELTS)

If you take the IELTS, your cocky-introduction may sound a trivial different, since the Speaking Test is structured like a conversation. Sentry the video below and listen to how this top-scoring candidate from Spain introduces himself:

To the question 'What are you studying, and do you savour it?' Xavier offers not merely specific details well-nigh the subject he is studying, but also his opinions nearly the feel:

I'm studying police and I do enjoy it, virtually aspects of it. Simply in this final year there is a lot of hard work and a lot of reading, and I cannot say that I savour all of this reading. But what I really relish is working on case studies. What I mean is discussing cases. I like to exchange ideas with people.

His answer to 'What are your hereafter plans?' as well includes some good phrases:

I want to have a career in law, but I have to make up one's mind which expanse to specialize in first, and then perchance study for some other four or v years. I hope to specialize in ecology constabulary, which is the law that businesses take to abide by to ensure that their practices do non affect the environs.

For advice on 'body linguistic communication' at a social event, see WikiHow's illustrated guide.

IELTS Speaking Topics (with Example Questions + Answers)

Acquire about the main topics in each role of the IELTS Speaking Test, and see examples of loftier-scoring answers from real students.

Speaking of English language Matt Lemanski

Other Phrases for Introducing Yourself

  • I'1000 based in London, simply I alive in New York. This phrase is used when you want to make it clear that your current living situation is temporary, or you do a lot of traveling considering of your task.
  • I live in New York, simply I'm originally from Lisbon. English speakers similar to use this phrase when mentioning their native land or city. It'south more mutual than phrases similar I was born in / I grew upwardly in.
  • I'chiliad a colleague of Jane's. When introducing yourself in a group or at an result (like a party or a briefing), it'southward helpful to explain your connection to other people in the group or consequence. Similar phrases include: I work together with Jane / I'm Jane's brother / Jane and I both study Chemistry at Toronto University.
  • I'k the father of 2 immature girls. You can use this phrase if y'all want to say something near your family (it's also a simple way for parents to explicate why they don't have much "free" time). Like phrases include: I'thousand the daughter of 2 psychologists / I'yard 1 of eight children / I'm the son of Queen Elizabeth.

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Phrases to Describe Your Task or Studies

These phrases are expert for both formal situations like task interviews, as well as coincidental situations like parties.

  • I work at English Experts in the Marketing Department. When English language speakers want keep their introduction simple (and avoid giving long or complex titles like Senior Vice President and General Manager of N American Sales for Behemoth Enterprises), they often just give the proper noun of the company, and perchance their department. This phrase likewise works for students: I study Chemistry at Toronto University / I'm a student at Toronto University, in the Chemistry Department.
  • I accept worked at English Experts since 2012 / for 8 years. Details nigh time are nice to include in your self-introduction, but remember that English requires a unlike verb tense (known equally the present perfect) when you use the prepositions for or since.
  • I'one thousand responsible for managing the digital marketing campaigns. When introducing yourself to people in the same company or section, you lot can utilise this phrase to draw the most of import thing you do. Like phrases include I'one thousand in charge of and I deal with. Discover the ing. This phrase requires a noun (or a gerund, which the substantive form of a verb), so you tin also use nouns with these phrases: I'm in charge of the website / I deal with the suppliers.
  • I hold a primary'south degree in Chemical science from Toronto University. This phrase is useful when you want to highlight your educational achievements, but information technology is typically merely constitute in cover letters and formal documents. In conversation, English speakers apply a slightly more than informal phrase: I have a primary's in Chemistry / I have an G.A. in Chemistry.
  • When not in the office, you can discover me on the football pitch. This is a squeamish alternative phrase for mentioning other activities, specially if yous take many sentences that start with I (I piece of work... I'm responsible... I concord...). When not studying Chemical science, yous can detect me spending time with my family. Notice the ing endings.
tell me about yourself
A good introduction tells a story with present, by, and future (The Rest)

Talking Nearly Yourself in an Interview

When introducing yourself in an interview, the person you speak with may want to know more than a few short sentences and elementary details about y'all. They may ask y'all to 'tell me about yourself'.

In other words, they want you lot to tell a story that ties together your present situation, by experiences, and future plans – topics that require slightly more advanced grammar:

  • For several months now, I have been working on a project. Find the verb form here; it differs from the earlier phrase, I have worked. When talking about a project that you program or hope to end in the near futurity, it's common to employ the Present Perfect Progressive: have been doing. (Learning English is also a projection: I've been learning English language since January.)
  • My passion for learning languages began x years ago, when I visited Nippon. To tell a story, English speakers typically use the By Simple tense (as in visited). It's also proficient to give details near place and fourth dimension, using ago to mark specific times in the past: a few weeks ago, five months ago.
  • I would like to become fluent in English so that I can attend university in Canada. When talking well-nigh your personal goals, you can utilise the Conditional grade: would like. This common phrase can be used to talk about whatever project or action yous want to do in the time to come.

Photo by Manja Vitolic