Introducing Yourself

In an interview

Social talk

What’s the difference between introducing yourself in an interview and chatting with people?

More formal, and need to demonstrate your English ability.

This lesson will be about formal introductions.

So, let’s begin, can you tell me something about your home town?

I come from Bendigo.

What’s wrong with this answer?

I want to know:•Where it is •How far away it is•What’s the closest famous city•What can I see if I go there•What’s it famous for

So, let’s begin, can you tell me something about your home town.

Well, I come from Bendigo, and it’s in the south east of Australia.

If you know the city Melbourne, it’s only an hour drive north from there.

If you happen to go there, you will see the famous gold mine and it has a large Chinese community going back to the Gold Rush days.

Write on a piece of paper – don’t need to write full sentences

•Where it is

•How far away it is

•What’s the closest famous city

•What can I see if I go there

•What’s it famous for

Bendigo, south east of Australia

1 hour drive north

Melbourne

Gold mine

Large Chinese community

What about your family?

I have a mother, father and a brother.

What’s wrong with this answer?

I want to know:•What are their occupations •Where do they come from•How old are your siblings•What do you enjoy doing together•How would you describe your relationship with them

What about your family?

My father is born and raised in Bendigo, and he works for the gold mine.

I do have an older brother, he is currently working in Sydney, and works for a computer company.

There is my mother, she was born in Melbourne and she is a homemaker. Our favourite past time is playing board games such as Monopoly together.

We have a get together every Christmas, and we sometimes travel to the beach to celebrate Christmas.

We are a very close family, and we always like to joke together.

Write on a piece of paper – don’t need to write full sentences

•What are their occupations

•Where do they come from

•How old are your siblings

•What do you enjoy doing together

•How would you describe your relationship with them

Mother – HomemakerFather – works for goldmine

Mum – Melbourne, Dad - Bendigo

Brother – 35, Sister - 39

Playing board games

Close and joke together

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like to play basketball.

What’s wrong with this answer?

Which one is a hobby and an interest?

Hobby Interest

Would you say sports is a hobby or an interest?

Sports is an interest

I am into footballI am a football fanaticI am crazy about footballI am a football enthusiast I am football mad

Do you just play with friends?compete for a team?or root for a team and you’re just a spectator?

What are your hobbies and interests?

My interests are playing basketball with my friends after school.And I enjoy watching movies with my family.I keep a collection of old coins dating back to the ancient Romans.

Write on a piece of paper – don’t need to write full sentences

•Hobbies

•Interests Collecting old coins

Playing basketball with friendsWatching movies

Pair work:

You and you’re partner will introduce each other.

One will be the interviewer, and only ask the question once.

Example:

“Tell me something about your hometown.”

“I come from Bendigo.”

You should not have to ask where it is and what to see after their first answer.

First introduce your home town.•Where is it•What can you see there

Now talk about your family.

Pair work:

•How many•How old are they•What do they do

Change roles:

A B

Identity theft

Take your partner’s information and swap.

Now you are your partner, and you will introduce yourself as that person, not you.

A

B

Concentric circle – B will rotate and change partners – A will stay where they are.

Structuring:

My name is Jason My major at university was art I like bike riding My job is teaching I like eating all kinds of foodMy hometown is BendigoIn my free time I enjoy watching movies

What’s wrong with this?It has no orderThe sentences are too short

Structuring:

My name is Jason My major at university was art I like bike riding My job is teaching I like eating all kinds of foodMy hometown is BendigoIn my freetime I enjoy watching movies

How would we restructure this?

My name is Jason and I am from Bendigo, just an hour drive from Melbourne.

I work as a teacher but, my major was art.In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, bike riding, and I love eating out, trying different types of food.