Everyday situations
How to introduce yourself in English
A1
Your name, your age, where you are from, your school, your hobbies: a 30-second structure that works in class and in an interview.
Quick answer
Introducing yourself is the very first thing you learn in English class. It is also the first thing you do at a job interview or at a party abroad. The hard part is not the vocabulary but the order. In English, people usually follow a set order: name → age → where you are from → what you do → hobbies. Above all, avoid three common mistakes that show at once: I have 15 years (correct: I'm 15), I'm called Emma (more natural: My name's Emma) and I live to London (correct: I live in London).
Step by step
Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.
1. Saying hello and giving your name
The opening block: Hi or Hello depending on the situation, then your name.
- Other person
Hi, I'm Tom. What's your name?
- You
Hi, I'm Emma.
Informal→ The most natural way to say it in class or among young people.orHello, my name is Emma Clark.
Formal→ Use this in an interview, in a presentation or with an adult.orHi everyone, I'm Emma.
Neutral→ To start a presentation in front of a group.orYou can call me Emma.
Neutral - Other person
Nice to meet you, Emma.
2. Giving your age and your school year
Always with be, never with have: this is the most common mistake.
- Other person
How old are you?
- You
I'm 15 (years old).
→ Not I have 15: use be, not have. Years old is optional when you speak. - Other person
Which year are you in?
- You
I'm in year 10.
UK→ UK system: Year 7 (age 11 to 12), Year 8 (12 to 13), Year 9 (13 to 14), Year 10 (14 to 15), Year 11 (15 to 16).orI'm in 9th grade.
US→ US system: 6th grade (age 11 to 12), 7th grade (12 to 13), 8th grade (13 to 14), 9th grade (14 to 15). - Other person
And what do you do?
→ A question for an adult: it is about their job or their studies. - You
I'm a student. I go to Oakwood Secondary School.
orI'm a student at Leeds University.
FormalorI work as a graphic designer.
Formal→ Not I am graphic designer (you need a) and not I work like.
3. Saying where you are from and where you live
An important difference: I'm from = where you come from or your nationality; I live in = where you live now.
- Other person
Where are you from?
- You
I'm from Manchester.
→ I'm from + the country or town you come from.orI'm English.
→ Nationality adjectives start with a capital letter. - Other person
Where do you live?
- You
I live in Leeds.
→ I live in + town (not I live to or I live at). - Other person
Have you always lived there?
- You
No, I was born in Manchester but I moved to Leeds when I was ten.
4. Talking about your family and hobbies
This block makes your introduction personal and starts a conversation.
- Other person
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
- You
I have one brother and one sister.
orI'm an only child.
- Other person
What do you like doing in your free time?
- You
I like reading, playing football and watching films.
→ After like, use the -ing form of the verb.orI'm passionate about photography.
Formal - Other person
What's your favourite subject at school?
UK - You
My favourite subject is English.
UKorMy favorite subject is English.
US
5. Finishing and asking the other person
Close your introduction and invite the other person to talk: the conversation often continues here.
- You
Nice to meet you.
Neutral→ Say this every time after an introduction.orPleased to meet you.
FormalorThanks for having me.
Formal→ Perfect at the start of an interview. - Other person
Nice to meet you too.
- You
And what about you?
→ To invite the other person to introduce themselves. - Other person
I'm Tom, I'm 15 and I love basketball.
Useful vocabulary
School
- primary school / elementary schoolschool for children aged 5 to 11
- middle school / secondary schoolthe school after primary school
- high schoolschool for teenagers before university
- university / collegestudies after you leave school
- year (10) / grade (9)your class level at school
- subjecta topic you study, like maths
Family
- parentsyour mother and father
- siblingsyour brothers and sisters
- older / younger brothera brother born before / after you
- an only childa child with no brothers or sisters
- twinstwo children born at the same time
- grandparentsyour parents' parents
Hobbies
- hobbiesthings you do for fun
- to be into somethingto really like something
- to play (an instrument / a sport)to do a sport or make music
- to hang out with friendsto spend free time with friends
- video gamesgames you play on a screen
- social mediaapps for sharing posts and photos
UK vs US: what changes
| You want to say… | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| School for children aged 5 to 11 | Primary school | Elementary school |
| First years of secondary school | Secondary school (Year 7-11) | Middle school (Grade 6-8) |
| Last years of school, before university | Sixth form / Years 12-13 | High school (Grade 9-12) |
| The school lesson you like best | My favourite subject | My favorite subject |
| The sport with 11 players and a round ball | Football | Soccer |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I have 15 years ❌
For age, English uses be, not have. ✓ I'm 15, never I have 15. The same goes for many feelings: I'm hungry / thirsty / cold / hot / scared, not I have hunger or I have cold.
2. I'm called Emma: correct, but not very natural
Say My name is Emma (formal) or I'm Emma (informal). I'm called Emma is correct (especially in British English), but it sounds like a school textbook when you introduce yourself.
3. I live to London or I live at London ❌
The preposition is in with a town or a country. ✓ I live in London, I live in England. With a street: I live on Baker Street (in the UK, also in Baker Street). With a house number: at 221B Baker Street.
4. Nationalities with no capital letter ❌
In English, nationalities and languages always start with a capital letter. ✓ I'm Spanish / I speak English. ✗ i'm spanish / I speak english. The same goes for months and days: Monday, January.
5. I work like a designer ❌
Like compares two things (it means “in the same way as”). For a job, say I work as. ✓ I work as a designer (that is my job). ✗ I work like a designer (= I work in the same way a designer works, which sounds strange).
Practice quiz
Related pages: Introducing yourself
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
How do you introduce yourself in English?+
Follow the usual order. 1) Hi, my name is + first name. 2) I'm + age + years old. 3) I'm from + country / I live in + town. 4) I'm in + school year / I work as + job. 5) I like + hobby + -ing. Always finish with Nice to meet you.
How do you say your age in English?+
Say I'm 15 or I'm 15 years old. Never say I have 15: English uses be for age, not have. Examiners notice this mistake more than almost any other.
What is the difference between I'm from and I live in?+
I'm from + country or town = where you come from (often linked to your nationality). I live in + town = where you live now. You can say I'm from Madrid, but I live in London: the two do not contradict each other.
How do you say which year you are in at school?+
In the UK, say I'm in Year + number: Year 7 (age 11 to 12), Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 (age 14 to 15), Year 11 (age 15 to 16). In the US, say I'm in + number + grade: 6th grade (age 11 to 12), 7th, 8th, 9th grade (age 14 to 15), 10th grade. You can also say I'm a + number + grader (a 9th grader is a pupil in 9th grade).
How do you introduce yourself in a job interview?+
Use a formal tone: Good morning, my name is Emma Clark. Thank you for having me today. I'm 24 and I recently graduated from Leeds University. I'm currently working as a junior designer at… Finish with I'm really looking forward to discussing this opportunity with you.
How do you introduce yourself in a speaking exam?+
Keep it simple and well organised. Avoid empty phrases (I love everything, I am here today to talk about…). Introduce yourself in 3 short sentences (your name, your school year, why you like the subject), then move on to the topic. Examiners want clear, linked ideas, not your life story.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/situations/introducing-yourself
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.