Unit 1: Meeting Someone for the First Time

Beginner Lesson 1

Meeting Someone for the First Time

Level: Beginner
Length: About 15 minutes

 

1. Introduction

Hello, and welcome to your first lesson.

Today, we are going to learn how to meet someone for the first time.

You will learn simple expressions we use when we introduce ourselves.

Listen carefully. Repeat the expressions aloud.

Let's begin.

2. Dialogue

David: Hi! My name is David. What's your name?

Alice: Hello, David. I'm Alice.

David: Nice to meet you, Alice.

Alice: Nice to meet you too.

David: Where are you from?

Alice: I'm from Rwanda. How about you?

David: I'm from the United States.

Alice: Oh, nice! Do you live here?

David: Yes, I do. I live in Kigali.

Alice: That's great. See you later!

David: See you! Have a nice day!

3. Let's Learn the Expressions

Now, let's go back and look at some important expressions from the dialogue.

Expression 1

Hi! — Muraho! — Salut !

Hi is a common and friendly way to greet someone.

You can also say:

Hello! — Muraho! — Bonjour !

"Hello" is a little more neutral. You can use it with almost anyone.

For example:

Hi, John! — Muraho, John! — Salut, John !

Repeat:

Hi.

Hello.

Very good.

Expression 2

My name is David. — Nitwa David. — Je m'appelle David.

We use "My name is..." when introducing ourselves.

For example:

My name is Sarah. — Nitwa Sarah. — Je m'appelle Sarah.

You can also use the shorter expression:

I'm David. — Ndi David. — Je suis David.

Here, I'm means I am.

I'm David.

I am David.

They have the same meaning.

Repeat:

My name is David.

I'm David.

Excellent.

Expression 3

What's your name? — Witwa nde? — Comment tu t'appelles ?

We use this question when we want someone to tell us their name.

What's is the short form of what is.

So:

What is your name?

becomes:

What's your name?

Repeat:

What's your name?

Good.

Expression 4

Nice to meet you. — Nishimiye kukumenya. — Enchanté(e) de faire ta connaissance.

This is a very useful expression.

We normally say "Nice to meet you" when we meet someone for the first time.

If someone says:

Nice to meet you.

You can answer:

Nice to meet you too. — Nanjye nishimiye kukumenya. — Moi aussi, je suis enchanté(e) de faire ta connaissance.

The word too here means "also."

Repeat:

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too.

Great!

Expression 5

Where are you from? — Ukomoka he? — D'où viens-tu ?

This question asks about someone's country, city, or place of origin.

For example:

Where are you from?

You can answer:

I'm from Rwanda. — Nkomoka mu Rwanda. — Je viens du Rwanda.

Or:

I'm from the United States. — Nkomoka muri Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika. — Je viens des États-Unis.

Notice the pattern:

I'm from + place.

For example:

I'm from Rwanda.

I'm from Canada.

I'm from France.

Repeat:

Where are you from?

I'm from Rwanda.

Excellent.

Expression 6

How about you? — Wowe se? — Et toi ?

This is a very useful expression because it allows you to return a question.

For example:

I'm from Rwanda. How about you?

Instead of asking "Where are you from?" again, you can simply say:

How about you?

Another example:

"I'm fine. How about you?"

Repeat:

How about you?

Good.

Expression 7

Do you live here? — Utuye hano? — Est-ce que tu habites ici ?

The verb live means to have your home in a particular place.

I live in Kigali. — Ntuye i Kigali. — J'habite à Kigali.

Notice that we say:

I live in Kigali.

Not:

I am live in Kigali.

Repeat:

Do you live here?

Yes, I do.

I live in Kigali.

Very good.

Expression 8

See you later! — Turabonana nyuma! — À plus tard !

We use this expression when saying goodbye to someone we expect to see again.

You can also simply say:

See you! — Turabonana! — À bientôt !

Another common expression is:

Have a nice day! — Ugire umunsi mwiza! — Bonne journée !

Repeat:

See you later.

Have a nice day.

Excellent.

4. Vocabulary Review

Let's review today's important expressions.

Hello. — Muraho. — Bonjour.

What's your name? — Witwa nde? — Comment tu t'appelles ?

My name is David. — Nitwa David. — Je m'appelle David.

Nice to meet you. — Nishimiye kukumenya. — Enchanté(e) de faire ta connaissance.

Where are you from? — Ukomoka he? — D'où viens-tu ?

I'm from Rwanda. — Nkomoka mu Rwanda. — Je viens du Rwanda.

How about you? — Wowe se? — Et toi ?

Do you live here? — Utuye hano? — Est-ce que tu habites ici ?

I live in Kigali. — Ntuye i Kigali. — J'habite à Kigali.

See you later. — Turabonana nyuma. — À plus tard.

Have a nice day. — Ugire umunsi mwiza. — Bonne journée.

5. Grammar — "I am" and "I'm"

Let's look at one small grammar point.

I am can be shortened to I'm.

I am David. → I'm David.

I am from Rwanda. → I'm from Rwanda.

I am happy. → I'm happy.

In everyday conversation, English speakers very often use I'm.

Repeat:

I'm David.

I'm from Rwanda.

I'm happy.

Excellent.

6. Practice

Now answer these questions in English.

Question 1: What's your name?

Try to answer:

My name is _____.

or:

I'm _____.

Question 2: Where are you from?

Answer:

I'm from _____.

Question 3: Do you live in Kigali?

Possible answers:

Yes, I do.

or:

No, I don't.

Now complete these sentences:

1. My _____ is John.
2. I'm _____ Rwanda.
3. Nice to _____ you.
4. Where are you _____?
5. Have a nice _____!

Answers

1. name
2. from
3. meet
4. from
5. day
6. 
   

7. Final Speaking Practice

Now imagine you meet someone for the first time.

Say these sentences aloud:

Hello!

My name is _____.

What's your name?

Nice to meet you.

Where are you from?

I'm from _____.

How about you?

See you later!

Have a nice day!

Excellent work!

You have finished today's beginner English lesson.

Today you learned how to greet someone, introduce yourself, ask someone's name, ask where someone is from, and say goodbye.

Practice these expressions several times until you can say them without reading.

See you in the next lesson!