Daily English Day 2: Introducing Yourself – Name, Country, Job

Learning how to introduce yourself is one of the most important skills when you start speaking English. On the first day, you learned how to greet people with “Hello,” “Good morning,” and other common phrases. Today, we will go a step further. You will learn how to say your name, tell people your country, and talk about your job or what you do in life.

When you meet someone for the first time, these three things are usually the first topics:

1. Your name

2. Where you are from (your country or city)

3. Your job (or what you study, if you are a student)

Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Saying Your Name

The simplest way to introduce your name is:

• “My name is [Name].”

• “I’m [Name].”

• “You can call me [Nickname].”

Examples:

• “My name is Maria.”

• “I’m Ken.”

• “You can call me Sam.”

If you want to be polite when meeting someone, you can also add:

• “Nice to meet you.”

Example:

• “My name is Aisha. Nice to meet you.”

This short sentence is very common and makes your introduction friendly.

2. Talking About Your Country

After saying your name, people often ask: “Where are you from?”
Here are some ways to answer:

• “I’m from [Country].”

• “I come from [Country].”

• “I live in [City, Country].”

Examples:

• “I’m from Japan.”

• “I come from Brazil.”

• “I live in Cebu, Philippines.”

If you want to be more specific, you can mention your city and country:

• “I’m from Paris, France.”

• “I’m from Seoul, South Korea.”

3. Talking About Your Job

Your job is another key part of self-introduction. Here are some useful patterns:

• “I’m a [job].”

• “I work as a [job].”

• “I work in [field/industry].”

Examples:

• “I’m a teacher.”

• “I work as an engineer.”

• “I work in marketing.”

If you are a student, you can say:

• “I’m a student.”

• “I study English.”

• “I study computer science.”

If you don’t want to talk about your job, you can keep it simple:

• “I’m currently looking for a job.”

• “I’m between jobs right now.”

4. Putting It All Together

When you introduce yourself, you can combine these parts into a short paragraph.

Example 1 (Simple):

“Hello, I’m Anna. I’m from Germany. I’m a student. Nice to meet you.”

Example 2 (More Detail):

“Hi, my name is Carlos. I’m from Mexico City. I work as a software developer. Nice to meet you.”

Example 3 (Friendly):

“Hello, I’m Maria, but you can call me Mia. I’m from Italy. I work in a hospital as a nurse. It’s nice to meet you.”

5. Common Questions People May Ask

When you introduce yourself, the other person may ask you questions.
Here are some examples and how to answer them:

Q: What’s your name?
A: “My name is David.” / “I’m David.”

Q: Where are you from?
A: “I’m from Canada.”

Q: What do you do?
A: “I’m a teacher.” / “I’m a student.”

Q: Where do you live?
A: “I live in Manila.”

6. Useful Vocabulary for Jobs

Here are some common jobs you can use in your practice:

• Teacher

• Student

• Engineer

• Nurse

• Doctor

• Driver

• Waiter / Waitress

• Chef / Cook

• Police officer

• Office worker

• Farmer

• Businessman / Businesswoman

7. Practice Conversation

Here is a simple dialogue using today’s lesson.

Conversation 1:
A: Hello, my name is Tom. What’s your name?
B: Hi, I’m Yuki. Nice to meet you.
A: Nice to meet you too, Yuki. Where are you from?
B: I’m from Japan. How about you?
A: I’m from the United States.
B: Oh, I see. What do you do?
A: I’m a teacher. And you?
B: I’m a student.

Conversation 2:
A: Good afternoon. I’m Ahmed.
B: Hello, Ahmed. I’m Sarah.
A: Nice to meet you, Sarah. Where do you come from?
B: I come from Australia. How about you?
A: I’m from Egypt. I work as an engineer.
B: Interesting! I’m a nurse.

8. Practice Exercise

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks
Complete the sentences with your own information.

1. My name is ____________.

2. I’m from ____________.

3. I live in ____________.

4. I’m a ____________.

Exercise 2: Pair Practice
If you have a partner, take turns introducing yourselves.

• Partner A: Start with “Hello, my name is…”

• Partner B: Respond with “Nice to meet you. I’m…”

• Continue with questions: “Where are you from?” / “What do you do?”

9. Tips for Better Self-Introductions

• Speak clearly and slowly. Don’t worry about mistakes.

• Smile when you introduce yourself. It helps communication.

• Listen carefully to the other person’s introduction.

• Practice often. The more you repeat, the easier it becomes.

• Keep it short. A self-introduction should not be too long.

10. Extended Practice: Adding More Details

As you become more confident, you can add more information about yourself.

Example:

“Hello, my name is Daniel. I’m from Spain, but now I live in Cebu, Philippines. I work as a chef in a hotel restaurant. In my free time, I like playing football. Nice to meet you.”

Adding hobbies and current location makes the conversation more interesting.

11. Summary

Today, you learned:

• How to say your name

• How to say your country

• How to say your job

• How to combine them into a self-introduction

This skill is very useful when you meet new people, travel abroad, or join an English class. With practice, you will feel confident introducing yourself anywhere.

12. Homework

Write your own self-introduction in 3–5 sentences. Use today’s patterns.
Example:

“Hi, I’m Anna. I’m from Korea. I’m a student. I live in Cebu now. Nice to meet you.”

Practice saying it aloud 5 times every day until you can say it smoothly without looking at your notes.

FAQ:Introducing Yourself

What is a simple, polite way to introduce my name?

Use one of these clear patterns. They all sound natural and friendly:

• “My name is [Name]. Nice to meet you.”
• “I’m [Name]. It’s nice to meet you.”
• “Hello, I’m [Name].” (Add a greeting to sound warmer.)

If your name may be hard to say, you can add: “You can call me [Nickname].” or “It’s pronounced [pro-nun-see-AY-shun].”

Which should I use: “My name is…” or “I’m …”?

Both are correct. “My name is…” feels slightly more formal and is common in first-time introductions. “I’m …” is short and casual. In a job interview or formal meeting, start with “My name is …”. With classmates or new colleagues, “I’m …” is perfectly fine.

How do I include my nickname or preferred name?

Offer your preferred name right after your full name:

• “My name is Alejandra, but you can call me Alex.”
• “I’m Hidetaka. Hide is fine.”
• “My full name is Maria Clara Santos. Maria for short.”

This helps the other person remember and say your name correctly.

Can I share my pronouns in a self-introduction?

Yes. In international or inclusive settings, it is increasingly common. Keep it short:

• “I’m Sam Lee—she/her.”
• “Hi, I’m Jordan. My pronouns are they/them.”

This is optional; use it where it’s culturally appropriate or requested.

How do I say where I am from?

Use simple structures:

• “I’m from [Country/City].”
• “I come from [Country/City].” (a little more formal)
• “I was born in [City], and I grew up in [City/Country].”

Example: “I’m from Seoul, South Korea.” or “I come from Brazil.”

What is the difference between “from,” “live in,” “based in,” and “originally from”?

• from: your home country or city. “I’m from Japan.”
• live in: your current residence. “I live in Cebu.”
• based in: your professional location (often for flexible/remote jobs). “I’m based in Manila, but I travel.”
• originally from: your birthplace or childhood home. “I’m originally from Canada.”

You can combine them: “I’m originally from Hanoi, but I’m based in Singapore and live in Queenstown.”

Do I need “the” before some country names?

Yes, a few country names take the article “the”:

• the Philippines, the United States (or the U.S.), the United Kingdom (or the U.K.), the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (or the UAE), the Czech Republic.

Most others do not use “the”: “I’m from Japan.” “I’m from France.”

How can I talk about my city or region clearly?

Move from small to large place, or add your region for clarity:

• “I’m from Lahug in Cebu City, Philippines.”
• “I’m from Bologna, in northern Italy.”
• “I live in Shibuya, Tokyo.”

How do I introduce my job naturally?

Use these common patterns:

• “I’m a/an [job].” (fast and common) — “I’m an engineer.”
• “I work as a/an [job].” — “I work as a nurse.”
• “I work in [field/department].” — “I work in marketing.”
• “I work for [company].” — “I work for Grab.”
• “I work at [company/place].” — “I work at a hospital.”

When do I use “a” or “an” before a job?

Use “a” before consonant sounds and “an” before vowel sounds. Focus on the sound, not the spelling:

• an engineer, an analyst, an MBA (starts with the sound “em”)
• a university student (the sound is “yoo”), a user researcher, a unique role

What if I am a student?

Say your level, major, or school:

• “I’m a second-year student.”
• “I study computer science at ABC University.”
• “I’m majoring in English literature.”

What if I’m not working right now?

Use positive, respectful language:

• “I’m between jobs at the moment.”
• “I’m looking for opportunities in accounting.”
• “I’m a full-time parent.”
• “I’m retired.”

How do I introduce myself if I freelance or have multiple roles?

Be concise and choose the most relevant roles:

• “I’m a freelance designer and part-time ESL teacher.”
• “I run a small café and do photography on weekends.”
• “I’m self-employed as a web developer.”

How do I say I work remotely or in a hybrid setup?

Keep it short and modern:

• “I work remotely as a product manager.”
• “I’m hybrid—three days in the office and two at home.”
• “I work from home for a startup in Singapore.”

What is the difference between work at / in / for / on?

• work at: place or company. “I work at a bank.” “I work at Google.”
• work in: field or department. “I work in finance.” “I work in the HR team.”
• work for: employer or client. “I work for a non-profit.” “I work for Mr. Tan’s firm.”
• work on: project or product. “I work on the mobile app.”

How do I write a short introduction for email or chat?

Use a two- or three-sentence template:

• “Hello, I’m Rina Santos. I’m a content strategist based in Cebu. Nice to connect with you.”
• “Hi, I’m Zhang Wei, a senior QA engineer at BlueTech. I’m reaching out about the release schedule.”

How do I introduce myself in a meeting or class?

Give name + role + location and one relevant detail:

• “Hi everyone, I’m Ana, a UX researcher in Manila. I focus on accessibility studies.”
• “Good morning, I’m Leo. I’m studying tourism management. I’m excited to learn presentation skills.”

What follow-up questions should I expect after my introduction?

Be ready for these and keep answers short:

• “Where exactly are you from?” — “From Da Nang, in central Vietnam.”
• “What do you do at work?” — “I analyze customer data and create reports for the sales team.”
• “How long have you lived here?” — “About two years.”

How can I make my introduction friendly without oversharing?

Add a light detail related to the context:

• Hobby: “In my free time, I cook and hike.”
• Reason for learning English: “I’m studying for work and to travel.”
• Connection: “I joined this class to build confidence in speaking.”

What common mistakes should I avoid?

• Wrong: “I am work as engineer.” Right: “I work as an engineer.” or “I’m an engineer.”
• Wrong: “I’m from Philippines.” Right: “I’m from the Philippines.”
• Wrong: “I live at Tokyo.” Right: “I live in Tokyo.” (“at” is for addresses: “I live at 10 Main St.”)
• Wrong: “I’m working in marketing” (as a permanent fact) Better: “I work in marketing.” (“I’m working in…” suggests temporary.)
• Wrong: “I’m a accountant.” Right: “I’m an accountant.”

Should I capitalize job titles and country adjectives?

Capitalize country and language names (Japan, Filipino, English). Job titles are not capitalized in general text: “I’m a software engineer.” Capitalize a title only before a name or in signatures: “Project Manager, Rina Santos.”

How do I handle long or double family names?

Give your full name once, then offer a short form:

• “My full name is María del Carmen López García, but María López is fine.”
• “I use my English name at work—Kevin.”

How do I clarify name order when cultures differ?

State it directly and help with order:

• “In my culture, the family name comes first. My family name is Kim and my given name is Min-ji.”
• “You can address me as Min-ji.”

How can I politely ask about the other person?

Mirror their question and keep it friendly:

• “Nice to meet you. How about you?”
• “And what do you do?”
• “Where are you from?”

What are short templates I can copy for different situations?

• General: “Hi, I’m Name from Country/City. I’m a/an Job. Nice to meet you.”
• Networking: “Hello, my name is Name. I work in Field at Company. I’m based in City.”
• Class: “I’m Name. I’m a second-year student majoring in Major. I want to improve my speaking.”
• Interview: “My name is Name. I’m a Job with X years of experience in Focus. I’m excited about this role.”
• Email: “Hello, I’m Name, a Role at Company. I’m writing regarding Topic.”

How do I include part-time, internship, or volunteer roles?

Be transparent and positive:

• “I’m a part-time barista and a full-time student.”
• “I’m an intern in the finance department.”
• “I volunteer at an animal shelter on weekends.”

How can I adapt my introduction for different levels of formality?

• Casual: “Hey! I’m Josh. I’m from Melbourne. I’m a chef.”
• Neutral: “Hi, I’m Josh Carter. I’m from Australia and I work as a chef.”
• Formal: “Good afternoon. My name is Joshua Carter. I’m originally from Australia and I’m currently a head chef at Riverside Hotel.”

What if my job title is uncommon or hard to understand?

Add a short explanation:

• “I’m a scrum master—I facilitate agile teamwork for software projects.”
• “I’m a solution architect. I design system blueprints for enterprise apps.”

How do I state ownership roles like founder or owner?

Be concise and credible:

• “I’m the founder of BrightLeaf Studio.”
• “I own a small bakery in Mandaue.”

Can I mention temporary situations like a gap year or relocation?

Yes. Give brief context:

• “I’m on a gap year before university.”
• “I’m relocating to Osaka next month for work.”
• “I’m on maternity leave until December.”

How can I keep my pronunciation clear in introductions?

Slow down on your name and key words. Add a helper line if needed: “It’s pronounced lee-OW.” If your name uses tones or special sounds, give a simple English approximation. Smile and maintain eye contact; clarity matters more than speed.

Sample mini-introductions combining name, country, and job

• “Hello, I’m Carla. I’m from Spain, and I work in digital marketing. Nice to meet you.”
• “Hi, my name is Rakesh. I’m originally from India, but I’m based in Singapore. I’m a data analyst.”
• “I’m Mei. I live in Kaohsiung, and I’m a high school teacher.”
• “Good morning, I’m Omar. I work for GreenTech as a project manager.”
• “I’m Julia, a third-year biology student from the Philippines.”

Quick checklist to review your self-introduction

• Name: Full name or preferred name?
• From/Live: Country and (optionally) city or region?
• Role: Job, field, or student status stated clearly?
• Formality: Casual “I’m …” or formal “My name is …”?
• Extras: One friendly detail (hobby, reason for learning, project)?
• Finish: “Nice to meet you.” + a question back: “How about you?”

Practice prompt you can customize

Fill in and read aloud three times:

• “Hi, I’m [Name]. I’m from [City/Country]. I’m a/an [Job/Student of X]. I’m [based/live] in [City] now. Nice to meet you.”

Variation for email or chat:

• “Hello, I’m [Name], a/an [Role] at [Company] based in [City]. I’m reaching out about [Topic].”

Daily English Guide for Beginners: Speak with Confidence Every Day