EP02 — How to Introduce Yourself in English (What to Say When You Meet Someone New)

March 12, 2026·20 min·1 clip

Benji reveals how he froze after blurting out his name at a networking event, creating an awkward ten-minute silence.

This episode of English Anyway focuses on practical strategies for making natural self-introductions in English, specifically for learners at the A2 to B1 level. Hosts Benji and Lucy, both language educators, draw from personal experiences of social anxiety to guide the lesson. They aim to move learners beyond robotic, scripted greetings. Benji opens by recounting his own awkward experience at a professional networking event, where he introduced himself and then fell into a terrified silence. The hosts identify a common problem where learners focus so much on grammar and translation that they forget how to have a normal interaction. Their goal is to provide conversational tools to sound comfortable and confident. The first core vocabulary taught is the phrase "originally from," which implies a personal journey from one's hometown. This phrase pairs with "currently" to describe one's present situation, creating a balanced, dynamic self-description. For initiating contact, they recommend the soft opener "I don't think we've met, I'm [Name]" to alleviate social pressure. A key insight is the concept of a "bridge," which is a piece of shared information like a mutual friend or event that connects two strangers. The hosts demonstrate through role-plays at a party and a cafe, showing how to use questions like "How do you know Jamie?" or "What brings you here?" They emphasize that concise answers are preferred in English small talk, creating a cooperative "ping-pong" rhythm. The most critical lesson is to avoid silence by using "the pass," which means always following a statement about yourself with a question to the other person. They stress that asking a question is a tactical way to give your brain a rest during a conversation. The hosts also note that intonation is crucial, particularly letting one's pitch fall naturally on a phrase like "What brings you here?" to sound friendly. They conclude by linking confident body language, like relaxed shoulders and a smile, to effective communication, advising learners to practice their introduction in front of a mirror. The tone is conversational, supportive, and educational, with hosts sharing personal anecdotes and conducting slow-paced role-plays for listener practice. This episode is ideal for English learners who feel nervous about social interactions and seek structured, psychological strategies for small talk. Listeners who are advanced speakers or are not interested in foundational social English might find the content too basic.

As heard by us

A steady primer for sounding less scripted when meeting someone new.

English Anyway treats natural introductions as a skill people can learn without making it sound like a test. Benji and Lucy open with a painfully familiar networking slip, then work through the hello, the bridge into real conversation, the follow-up question, and the clean exit.

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Why you'd press play

Get past hello without sounding scripted.

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