English Self-Introduction and First-Time Business Communication Skills

Welcome back. We're glad that you decided to take our course. In this lesson, we're going to show you typical language for interacting when you first meet someone in business. This includes introducing yourself by giving your name, job, company and city. You'll also identify the job, company and city of your new acquaintances. Let's begin with two videos. Watch and listen. Hi, I'm Mary Russell. Nice to meet you. Philson Park. Philson? Yeah, that's right. Oh, so you're from New Orleans, I see. Oh, well yes, originally, but now I'm based in New York. I work for SQL Electronics. How about yourself? I'll come from Canada. I'm with RDX Systems in Toronto. Oh, I know RDX. Do you work with Maria, yes, does it? I do. Small world. How do you know Maria? Hi, Ted. Hey, Sue. How's it going? Good. Sue, this is Michelle Cole. She's visiting Seattle from New York. Nice to meet you. I'm Sue Martin. I work with Ted here at Umed. Nice to meet you too. So, Michelle, did you just start working here? Oh no, I'm just here on business. I work for M-A-Z in New York. Oh, interesting. Now let's look at some useful language for introducing yourself. The language of introductions is fairly easy. The difficulty is getting the key information. We often repeat someone's name to make sure we get it right. If you have a name that may be difficult for other people, say your name slowly and clearly. You may even need to spell your name. I'm Filsen Par. Filsen. That's right. I'm Filsen Par. Wilson? Oh, Filsen. Oh, Filsen. I'm Filsen Par. Sorry? Filsen Par. Filsen? Yes, that's right. Here is a predict activity. What do you predict the speaker will say? Look at this conversation. Some parts are missing. What are the missing words? You have three seconds to say the words to yourself, then you will hear possibilities. Hello, my name is Jason McNeil. Nice to meet you. My name is Karen Sue. Are you from Seattle? No, I'm from Vancouver, Canada. In the United States, most people, both men and women, shake hands in a business setting. The normal way to shake hands is to extend your hand with your thumb up, hold the other person's hand firmly, but not too tight and shake two times. In some countries, people nod their heads or bow, but don't shake hands. And in other countries, women don't shake hands with men. What's the custom in your country? Share in the discussion forum.