Level: Beginner (A1-A2) | Topic: Introductions and Small Talk | Video: Watch Below

One of the first things you need to do in English is introduce yourself. Whether you are meeting a coworker, a neighbor, a classmate, or someone new at a party — knowing what to say in those first few minutes can make all the difference between feeling confident and freezing up completely.

In this post, Calvin and I are going to walk you through a real beginner English conversation — the kind you would actually have when meeting someone for the first time.

Here is what we are covering today:

✅ Introductions & where you’re from
✅ Jobs, hobbies & family
✅ Favorite foods, movies & music
✅ Languages, travel & so much more!

Read through the vocabulary, study the example phrases, and then watch the full video to hear how it all sounds in natural American English.

Why Introductions Are So Important in English

Here is the truth: if you can introduce yourself confidently in English, you can start almost any conversation. Introductions are the doorway into every other topic — your job, your country, your hobbies, your family. Once you get past the first few minutes, the rest of the conversation flows naturally.

The good news is that introduction phrases in English are very predictable. People ask the same questions almost every time. That means if you learn these phrases well, you will always know what to say.

Part 1: Basic Introductions

These are the very first things you say when you meet someone new.

What is your name? The most basic introduction question. In casual conversation, Americans often shorten this to simply: “And you are…?” or “I don’t think we’ve met — I’m Camille.”

• “Hi, what is your name?”
• “My name is Calvin. What is your name?”
• “Nice to meet you, Camille.”
• “Nice to meet you, too.”

Real Life Tip: “Nice to meet you” is something Americans say every single time they meet someone new. It is polite, warm, and completely natural. You can also say “Great to meet you” or “So nice to meet you” for a little extra warmth.

Part 2: Where Are You From?

This is almost always the second question after names. There are several ways to answer it naturally.

Key phrases:

• “I am originally from Michigan.”
• “I was born and raised in Michigan.” — This means you were born there AND grew up there.
• “I grew up in the United States.”
• “I am currently living in Portugal.” — “Currently” means right now, at this moment in time.

Real Life Tip: “Born and raised” is a very natural, common American phrase. It tells people that a place is truly your home — not just where you were born, but where your whole childhood was. Practice saying it: “I was born and raised in [your city].”

Practice questions:

• Where are you from?
• Where did you grow up?
• Where do you live now?
• Have you always lived there?

Part 3: Talking About Your Job

Key phrases:

• “What is your job?” — simple and direct
• “What do you do?” — more casual and very common in American English
• “What do you do for work?” — another natural option

Example answers:

• “I am a web designer — I build websites.”
• “I am a content creator. I make videos and write books.”
• “I am a teacher.”
• “I work in marketing.”
• “I am currently studying — I am a student.”

Real Life Tip: In American culture, “What do you do?” almost always means “What is your job?” — even though technically it could mean anything. This is one of the most common small talk questions Americans ask, especially when meeting someone for the first time.

Part 4: Hobbies and Free Time

Key phrases:

• “What do you like to do for fun?”
• “What are your hobbies?”
• “What do you do in your free time?”

Example answers:

• “Lately I have been enjoying playing chess and reading.”
• “I like to play instruments — like the ukulele and guitar.”
• “I love to exercise. I jog, walk, do yoga, and ride my bike.”
• “I like to go to cafes and old bookstores.”

Useful vocabulary:

• Hobby — something you enjoy doing in your free time
• Lately — recently, in the past few weeks or months
• “I have been [verb+ing]” — use this to talk about something you have been doing recently

Real Life Tip: Instead of just listing your hobbies, add a little detail. Instead of “I like reading,” say “Lately I have been really into historical fiction.” It makes the conversation more interesting and gives the other person something to respond to.

Part 5: Family

Key phrases:

• “How many children do you have?”
• “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
• “Are you married?”
• “Did you grow up with any pets?”

Example answers:

• “We have three kids. Their names are Maddox, Ivory, and Cairo.”
• “They are seven, nine, and twelve years old.”
• “I have one brother and three sisters.”
• “I am the middle child — I have two older sisters and two younger sisters.”
• “I grew up with many cats and dogs — and even a goat and horses!”

Useful vocabulary:

• Middle child — the child who is not the oldest or the youngest
• Grew up with — had something during your childhood
• Siblings — brothers and sisters (more formal)

Real Life Tip: When talking about ages, you can say “She is seven years old” or simply “She is seven.” Both are completely natural. Americans often drop “years old” in casual conversation.

Part 6: Food and Favorites

Talking about favorite things is a great way to keep a conversation going and find things in common with someone.

Key phrases:

• “What is your favorite food?”
• “What is your favorite drink?”
• “Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?”

Example answers:

• “I love Thai food — food from Thailand.”
• “I really love pizza, but not just any pizza — I love a thin crust Italian pizza.”
• “My favorite drink is coffee.”
• “I don’t want to copy you, but my favorite drink is also coffee!”
• “My favorite TV show of all time is Friends — it’s a classic and it always makes me laugh.”

Useful vocabulary:

• Of all time — the best ever, out of everything you have ever seen or experienced
• Classic — something that has been popular and beloved for a long time
• Thin crust — a style of pizza with a thin, crispy base

Real Life Tip: “I don’t want to copy you, but…” is a fun, natural phrase Americans use when they have the same answer as someone else. It adds humor and personality to the conversation. Try using it next time you agree with someone!

Part 7: Useful Conversation Phrases From This Video

Here are some extra phrases from our conversation that you will hear constantly in natural American English:

“Off the top of my head” Meaning: without thinking about it carefully, right now in this moment

• “Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a favorite movie.”
• “I don’t know the answer off the top of my head.”

“It slipped my mind” Meaning: I forgot it — the thought went away

• “I had a great question but it slipped my mind.”
• “Sorry I forgot to call you — it completely slipped my mind.”

“Ditto” Meaning: the same as what you just said — I agree completely

• “I love going to historical cities.” “Ditto!”
• “I’m exhausted.” “Ditto.”

“Change up my routine” Meaning: do different things instead of always the same thing

• “I like to change up my workout routine so I don’t get bored.”
• “We tried to change up our dinner routine and cook something new each week.”

“Speaking of…” Meaning: that topic reminds me of something related

• “Speaking of children, how many kids do you have?”
• “Speaking of food, are you hungry?”

Comprehension Questions

Test yourself on today’s conversation:

1. Where was Camille born and raised?
2. What is Calvin’s job?
3. How many children do Camille and Calvin have?
4. What is Camille’s favorite TV show?
5. What secret talent does Calvin have?
6. How many languages do Camille and Calvin speak?
7. What does “born and raised” mean?
8. What does “ditto” mean?

Practice: Introduce Yourself!

Now it is your turn. Try answering these questions in English in the comments below. This is great speaking and writing practice!

1. What is your name?
2. Where are you from?
3. What do you do for work or school?
4. What are your hobbies?
5. What is your favorite food?
6. Do you have any secret talents?

Leave your answers in the comments on YT — I read every single one and I love learning about my students from around the world!

Want More Beginner English Conversations Like This?

If you found this helpful, my 105 Beginner English Conversations book is exactly what you need next. It is packed with 105 real, natural conversations just like this one — covering everyday topics like shopping, making plans, asking for directions, talking about your day, and much more.

Every conversation comes with:

• A free audio recording so you can listen and read at the same time
• Real Life English tips explaining what native speakers say naturally
• Comprehension questions to check your understanding

It is the closest thing to having a real American English conversation partner — available any time, anywhere.

👉 Find it at learnenglishwithcamille.com or on my Amazon store.