SELF INTRODUCTION | How to Introduce Yourself in English | Tell Me About Yourself Interview Answer

Summary

The video teaches viewers how to prepare a clear, natural self-introduction for situations such as English classes, interviews, a new job, social activities, or large events. Its central advice is to prepare and practise an introduction in advance, since introducing yourself unexpectedly can feel intimidating. Rather than listing many short statements, combine the most relevant details into a few flowing sentences.

Suggested elements of a self-introduction

• Greeting

  • Formal or generally suitable options include Hello, Good morning, Good afternoon, and Good evening.
  • Informal options include Hi, Hey, and What’s up. Choose one that feels natural and suits the setting.
  • Good night is usually a way to say goodbye, not a greeting.
  • The video notes that Good day sounds old-fashioned and very formal in British English, but is commonly shortened to G’day in Australian English.

• Name

  • Use I’m… or I am… in most situations.
  • On the phone, My name is… or This is… can be useful.
  • This is… may also suit a large auditorium or convention setting.

• Where you are from and where you live

  • Basic options include I’m from Bedfordshire and I’m British.
  • To describe where you grew up, say I was born and raised in England.
  • If you were born and grew up in different places, say I was born in France but raised in Sweden.
  • To explain a move, say I grew up in LA but now live in New York or I’m originally from Edinburgh, but I’m now based in London.
  • To say how long you have lived somewhere, use I’ve been living in London for three years or I’ve spent the past few years in Paris.

• Work and professional background

  • Say I work at/for [company], not I work in [company].
  • Describe a field with I work in sales and a role with I work as an accountant.
  • You can also give a title and employer, such as I’m a manager at Starbucks.

• Education and courses

  • Useful phrases include I’m about to graduate, I’m a marketing graduate, and I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing.
  • Use in for a subject such as maths: I’m taking a course in maths.
  • Use on for a practical topic such as pottery: I’m taking a course on pottery. You can also say I’m taking a pottery course.
  • For a completed course, say I’ve completed a 72-hour course in/on…. A duration placed before a noun becomes a compound adjective, as in a three-day course.

• Work experience

  • Say I have three years of experience in neuroscience or I have ten years of sales experience.
  • Another option is I’ve worked in accounting for three years.

• Family (especially useful in informal introductions)

  • Instead of the nonstandard We are five in our family, say I’m from a family of four or We are a family of four.
  • I’m one of four siblings describes the number of children without specifying their genders.
  • If you have no brothers or sisters, say I’m an only child.

• Hobbies and interests

  • Examples include I really like running, I really enjoy tennis, and I’m a big fan of go-karting.
  • You can also say I’m a keen runner or I’m a keen tennis player.

• Age (optional)

  • Say I’m 25 years old or simply I’m 25.
  • To be less specific, use in my early/mid/late 20s.
  • The video also mentions forms such as a 20-something marketing graduate.

• A fun fact (optional)

  • Since people at events or in classes may ask for one, prepare an interesting detail ahead of time.
  • Possible topics include an unusual fear or preference, a pet, an unusual achievement, or an extraordinary experience.

Final approach

Choose only the details that fit the situation, then combine them naturally. The presenter demonstrates turning several separate statements into two shorter, connected sentences while keeping the same information. The lesson encourages viewers to write and practise their own introduction.

Speakers and sources

• Lucy, the presenter of English with Lucy.
• Emma from English is mentioned by Lucy but does not speak in the subtitles.
• No other clearly identifiable speaker is featured in the subtitles.