Unit 1: Talking About Yourself and Your Life Pre-Intermediate English- Lesson 1 LingoHelps

Pre-Intermediate English Lesson 1

Talking About Yourself and Your Life

Level: Pre-Intermediate

Length: About 15 minutes

Focus: Introducing yourself in more detail, talking about where you live, work, family, interests, daily life, and personal background

1. Introduction

Hello and welcome to Pre-Intermediate – Lesson 1.

Today we're going to learn how to talk about yourself and your life.

At the elementary level, you may already know how to say:

My name is Daniel.

I live in Kigali.

I work in a hospital.

I like music.

These sentences are correct.

But at the pre-intermediate level, we want to give a little more information and connect our ideas naturally.

For example:

I've lived in Kigali for three years.

I work at a hospital, and I really enjoy my job.

In my free time, I like listening to music and spending time with my friends.

I'm originally from a small town, but I moved here for work.

Today we'll learn how to speak about ourselves in this more natural way.

Let's begin.

2. Key Question: "Tell me about yourself."

You may hear this question when:

meeting someone new
starting a class
having a job interview
joining a group
talking to a new coworker

Tell me about yourself.

Kinyarwanda: Nyibwira
French: Parlez-moi de vous.

You don't need to tell the person everything about your life.

You can give a short introduction.

For example:

My name is David. I'm originally from Rwanda, and I currently live in Kigali. I work in customer service. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time with my family.

This sounds much more natural than giving several disconnected sentences.

3. "I'm originally from..."

Use originally from to talk about the place where you grew up or came from.

I'm originally from Rwanda.

Kinyarwanda: Mvuka mu Rwanda.
French: Je suis originaire du Rwanda.

Another example:

I'm originally from Burundi, but I live in Canada now.

Kinyarwanda: Mvuka mu Burundi, ariko ubu mba muri Kanada.
French: Je suis originaire du Burundi, mais maintenant j'habite au Canada.

You can also say:

I was born in Rwanda, but I grew up in another country.

4. "I currently live..."

Currently means now / at the present time.

I currently live in Kigali.

Kinyarwanda: Ubu mba i Kigali.
French: J'habite actuellement à Kigali.

Another example:

I currently work from home.

Kinyarwanda: Ubu nkorera mu rugo.
French: Actuellement, je travaille à domicile.

Instead of always saying now, learning words like currently makes your English richer.

5. Dialogue

Let's listen to a conversation between Anna and Michael.

Anna:

Hi. I don't think we've met before. I'm Anna.

Michael:

Nice to meet you. I'm Michael.

Anna:

Nice to meet you too. Are you new here?

Michael:

Yeah. I started working here about two weeks ago.

Anna:

Oh, really? What do you do?

Michael:

I work in customer support.

Anna:

Do you like it so far?

Michael:

Yeah, I do. There's still a lot to learn, but everyone's been really helpful.

Anna:

That's good. Are you from around here?

Michael:

Not originally. I grew up in a small town about two hours away, but I moved here last year.

Anna:

What brought you here?

Michael:

Mostly work. There are more job opportunities here.

Anna:

How are you finding the city?

Michael:

I like it. It's busier than I'm used to, but I'm slowly getting used to it.

6. Understanding the Dialogue: "I don't think we've met before."

Anna says:

I don't think we've met before.

This is a natural way to start a conversation with someone you haven't met.

Kinyarwanda: Ntekereza ko tutari twarigeze duhura.
French: Je ne pense pas que nous nous soyons déjà rencontrés.

You can then say:

I'm Anna.

Or:

My name is Anna.

7. "What do you do?"

Anna asks:

What do you do?

This usually means:

What kind of work do you do?

Kinyarwanda: Ukora akahe kazi?
French: Que faites-vous comme travail ?

Possible answers:

I work in customer service.

I'm a teacher.

I work for a technology company.

I'm self-employed.

I'm currently looking for work.

Remember:

What do you do?

usually asks about your job.

But:

What are you doing?

asks what you're doing right now.

8. "So far"

Anna asks:

Do you like it so far?

So far means up to now.

Kinyarwanda: Kugeza ubu
French: Jusqu'à présent

For example:

How's your new job going?

So far, it's going really well.

Another example:

I've only been here for three days, but I like it so far.

9. "There's still a lot to learn."

Michael says:

There's still a lot to learn.

Kinyarwanda: Haracyari byinshi byo kwiga.
French: Il y a encore beaucoup de choses à apprendre.

This is useful when you've recently started:

a new job
a course
a business
a new skill

Another example:

I'm improving, but I still have a lot to learn.

10. "Are you from around here?"

This is an informal way to ask whether someone comes from the local area.

Are you from around here?

Kinyarwanda: Ese ukomoka muri aka gace?
French: Vous êtes du coin ?

Michael answers:

Not originally.

This means:

I live here now, but this isn't where I originally came from.

11. "I grew up..."

To grow up means to spend your childhood somewhere.

I grew up in a small town.

Kinyarwanda: Nakuriye mu mujyi muto.
French: J'ai grandi dans une petite ville.

Another example:

I was born in Kigali, but I grew up in Huye.

Be careful:

was born = where your life began

grew up = where you spent your childhood

These can be different places.

12. "I moved here..."

To move means to change where you live.

I moved here last year.

Kinyarwanda: Naje gutura hano umwaka ushize.
French: J'ai déménagé ici l'année dernière.

You can say:

I moved here for work.

I moved here to study.

I moved here with my family.

I moved here about five years ago.

13. "What brought you here?"

Anna asks:

What brought you here?

She's asking:

Why did you move here?

Kinyarwanda: Ni iki cyatumye uza gutura hano?
French: Qu'est-ce qui vous a amené ici ?

Michael says:

Mostly work.

This means work was the main reason.

You could also answer:

I came here for school.

My family moved here.

I got a job here.

14. "How are you finding...?"

Anna asks:

How are you finding the city?

This means:

What do you think about the city so far?

Kinyarwanda: Uraboana uyu mujyi umeze ute kugeza ubu?
French: Comment trouvez-vous la ville ?

You can ask:

How are you finding your new job?

How are you finding the course?

How are you finding life here?

This is especially common in British English, but it's useful to understand.

15. "I'm used to..."

Michael says:

It's busier than I'm used to.

To be used to something means something is normal or familiar to you.

I'm used to a quieter place.

Kinyarwanda: Menyereye ahantu hatuje kurushaho.
French: Je suis habitué à un endroit plus calme.

Another example:

I'm used to working in the morning.

Notice:

be used to + noun

I'm used to the traffic.

or:

be used to + verb-ing

I'm used to waking up early.

16. "I'm getting used to..."

If something is becoming familiar, say:

I'm getting used to it.

Kinyarwanda: Ndimo kugenda menyera.
French: Je suis en train de m'y habituer.

For example:

The new job was difficult at first, but I'm getting used to it.

Another example:

I'm slowly getting used to waking up early.

Compare:

I'm used to it.

It already feels normal.

I'm getting used to it.

It's becoming normal.

17. Grammar Focus: Present Simple

We use the present simple for things that are generally true.

I live in Kigali.

I work in customer service.

I speak English and French.

I enjoy my job.

I usually start work at 8:00.

The basic structure is:

I/You/We/They + verb

I work.

They live.

With he/she/it, usually add -s:

He works.

She lives.

He speaks English.

18. Grammar Focus: Past Simple

Use the past simple for completed past events.

I moved here last year.

I started this job two months ago.

I graduated in 2024.

I grew up in a small town.

Notice some irregular verbs:

grow → grew

go → went

come → came

get → got

meet → met

19. Grammar Focus: Present Perfect

At pre-intermediate level, we begin using the present perfect more often.

For example:

I've lived here for three years.

This means you started living here three years ago and you still live here now.

Kinyarwanda: Maze imyaka itatu mba hano.
French: J'habite ici depuis trois ans.

The structure is:

have/has + past participle

I have lived

She has worked

We have known

In conversation:

I've lived...

She's worked...

We've known...

20. "For" and "Since"

Use for with a period of time.

I've lived here for three years.

I've worked here for six months.

Kinyarwanda: Maze imyaka itatu mba hano.
French: J'habite ici depuis trois ans.

Use since with the starting point.

I've lived here since 2023.

I've worked here since January.

Think:

for = how long

since = starting point

21. Talking About Work

Instead of only saying:

I am an interpreter.

You can add more information:

I work as an interpreter.

Kinyarwanda: Nkora nk'umusemuzi.
French: Je travaille comme interprète.

Or:

I've been working as an interpreter for several years.

Or:

Most of my work involves helping people communicate.

Useful structure:

I work as a + job

Examples:

I work as a teacher.

I work as a driver.

I work as an accountant.

22. "I work for..." vs. "I work at..."

Use:

Work for + company/organization

I work for an international company.

Kinyarwanda: Nkorera ikigo mpuzamahanga.
French: Je travaille pour une entreprise internationale.

Work at + place

I work at a hospital.

Kinyarwanda: Nkora ku bitaro.
French: Je travaille dans un hôpital.

Work in + field/department

I work in healthcare.

I work in customer service.

I work in the finance department.

23. Talking About Family

Someone may ask:

Do you have a big family?

You could answer:

Yes, I come from a fairly large family.

Kinyarwanda: Yego, mvuka mu muryango munini.
French: Oui, je viens d'une famille assez nombreuse.

Another example:

I have two brothers and one sister.

You can also say:

Most of my family lives nearby.

Kinyarwanda: Abenshi mu bagize umuryango wanjye baba hafi.
French: La plupart des membres de ma famille habitent à proximité.

24. "In my free time..."

This is a very useful expression.

In my free time, I enjoy reading.

Kinyarwanda: Mu gihe cyanjye cy'ikiruhuko, nkunda gusoma.
French: Pendant mon temps libre, j'aime lire.

Other examples:

In my free time, I like watching movies.

In my free time, I spend time with my family.

In my free time, I enjoy learning new things.

25. Like vs. Enjoy

You can say:

I like reading.

or:

I enjoy reading.

Enjoy is followed by -ing.

✅ I enjoy cooking.

✅ I enjoy traveling.

Don't say:

❌ I enjoy to cook.

Use:

I enjoy cooking.

26. "I'm interested in..."

Another way to talk about interests is:

I'm interested in technology.

Kinyarwanda: Nshishikajwe n'ikoranabuhanga.
French: Je m'intéresse à la technologie.

You can also use a verb:

I'm interested in learning languages.

Remember:

interested in + noun / verb-ing

interested in music

interested in traveling

interested in learning

27. "I've always been interested in..."

This talks about a long-term interest.

I've always been interested in languages.

Kinyarwanda: Kuva kera nakunze indimi.
French: Je me suis toujours intéressé aux langues.

Another example:

I've always been interested in technology.

This is more natural and expressive than:

I like technology.

28. "I spend most of my time..."

You can describe your normal life by saying:

I spend most of my time working.

Kinyarwanda: Igihe cyanjye kinini nkimara nkora.
French: Je passe la plupart de mon temps à travailler.

Another example:

I spend most of my weekends with my family.

Remember:

spend time + verb-ing

spend time reading

spend time working

spend time studying

29. "I'm pretty..."

In conversation, pretty can mean fairly / quite.

I'm pretty busy during the week.

Kinyarwanda: Mu minsi y'akazi mba mpuze cyane.
French: Je suis assez occupé pendant la semaine.

Another example:

I'm pretty happy with my job.

My neighborhood is pretty quiet.

Here pretty doesn't mean beautiful.

It means quite or fairly.

30. Talking About Your Personality

You can say:

I'm fairly quiet at first.

I'm pretty easygoing.

I'm a little shy around new people.

I enjoy meeting new people.

I'm usually very patient.

At pre-intermediate level, try to add a little explanation.

Instead of:

I'm quiet.

Try:

I'm usually quiet when I first meet people, but I become more talkative once I know them better.

31. Talking About Goals

Someone may ask:

What are you hoping to do in the future?

You could say:

I'd like to improve my English.

Kinyarwanda: Nifuza kunoza Icyongereza cyanjye.
French: J'aimerais améliorer mon anglais.

Or:

I'm hoping to find a better job.

Kinyarwanda: Nizeye kubona akazi keza kurushaho.
French: J'espère trouver un meilleur emploi.

Or:

One of my goals is to start my own business.

Kinyarwanda: Imwe mu ntego zanjye ni ugutangiza ubucuruzi bwanjye.
French: L'un de mes objectifs est de créer ma propre entreprise.

32. Useful Vocabulary

Background

Your personal history, education, work, or experience.

Kinyarwanda: Amateka cyangwa ubunararibonye bw'umuntu
French: Parcours

Hometown

The town or city where you grew up.

Kinyarwanda: Umujyi cyangwa agace wakuriyemo
French: Ville natale

Currently

At the present time.

Kinyarwanda: Ubu
French: Actuellement

Originally

From the beginning / where you first came from.

Kinyarwanda: Mu ntangiriro / aho ukomoka
French: À l'origine

Interest

Something you enjoy or want to learn more about.

Kinyarwanda: Ikintu ushimishwa na cyo
French: Centre d'intérêt

Experience

Knowledge or skills gained by doing something.

Kinyarwanda: Uburambe / ubunararibonye
French: Expérience

33. Pronunciation Practice

Repeat slowly:

I'm originally from Rwanda.

Again:

I'm originally from Rwanda.

Now:

I currently live in Kigali.

Again:

I currently live in Kigali.

Now:

I've lived here for three years.

Again:

I've lived here for three years.

Now:

I work in customer service.

Again:

I work in customer service.

Now:

In my free time, I enjoy reading.

Again:

In my free time, I enjoy reading.

Finally:

I'm still getting used to my new job.

34. Common Mistakes

Mistake 1

❌ I am living here since three years.

Say:

✅ I've lived here for three years.

Mistake 2

❌ I am working like a teacher.

Say:

✅ I work as a teacher.

Mistake 3

❌ I enjoy to watch movies.

Say:

✅ I enjoy watching movies.

Mistake 4

❌ I am interested to learn English.

Say:

✅ I'm interested in learning English.

Mistake 5

❌ I grow up in Kigali.

When talking about childhood:

✅ I grew up in Kigali.

Mistake 6

❌ I live here since 2023.

Say:

✅ I've lived here since 2023.

35. Quick Exercise

Choose the correct answer.

1. I'm originally _____ Rwanda.

A. at
B. from
C. to

Answer: B — from

2. I _____ up in a small town.

A. grew
B. growed
C. grown

Answer: A — grew

3. I've lived here _____ five years.

A. since
B. for
C. from

Answer: B — for

4. I've worked here _____ January.

A. for
B. during
C. since

Answer: C — since

5. I enjoy _____ new people.

A. meet
B. meeting
C. to meeting

Answer: B — meeting

6. I'm interested _____ learning languages.

A. at
B. on
C. in

Answer: C — in

36. Speaking Practice

Answer these questions aloud.

Question 1

Where are you originally from?

Possible answer:

I'm originally from Rwanda, and I currently live in Kigali.

Question 2

Where did you grow up?

Possible answer:

I grew up in a small town, but I moved to the city later.

Question 3

What do you do?

Possible answer:

I work in customer service. I've been doing this kind of work for several years.

Question 4

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Possible answer:

In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading, and spending time with my family.

Question 5

What are you interested in learning?

Possible answer:

I'm interested in improving my English and learning new professional skills.

37. Build Your Own Introduction

Complete these sentences about yourself:

My name is ____________________.
I'm originally from ____________________.
I currently live in ____________________.
I grew up in ____________________.
I've lived here for ____________________.
I work as/in ____________________.
I've been doing this for ____________________.
In my free time, I enjoy ____________________.
I'm interested in ____________________.
One of my goals is to ____________________.

Now connect your answers instead of reading them separately.

For example:

My name is Daniel. I'm originally from Rwanda, and I currently live in Kigali. I grew up in a smaller town but moved here several years ago. I work in customer service, and I've been doing this kind of work for about four years. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and spending time with my friends. I'm also interested in technology, and one of my goals is to improve my professional skills.

38. Mini Conversation Challenge

Imagine you're meeting a new coworker.

A: Hi. I don't think we've met before.