Speaking: Functional Language A1 - Lesson 1: Greeting People & Introducing Oneself

Speaking: Functional Language A1 - Lesson 1

Function: Greeting People & Introducing Oneself

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use a set of key phrases to perform the function of meeting and introducing yourself to someone new.

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Conversation Scenario: Meeting in a Classroom

Functional language is about using phrases as "tools" to do a job. Our job today is "introducing yourself". Let's see how Samnang and Kimsan do it.

Samnang: Excuse me.¹ Is this seat free?²

Kimsan: Yes, it is. Please, sit down.

Samnang: Thank you. My name is Samnang, by the way.³

Kimsan: Hi Samnang. I'm Kimsan. Nice to meet you.

Samnang: Nice to meet you too.

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Your Functional Toolkit

Here are the tools you need to introduce yourself.

Function: Getting Attention / Starting

1. Excuse me. (Phrase) | សូមអភ័យទោស | A polite phrase to get someone's attention before you speak. ↩
2. Is this seat free? (Question) | តើកៅអីនេះទំនេរទេ? | A polite question to ask if you can sit next to someone. ↩

Function: Introducing

3. by the way (Phrase) | និយាយអញ្ចឹង | A phrase to introduce a new piece of information into a conversation smoothly. ↩
4. My name is... / I'm... (Phrase) | ខ្ញុំឈ្មោះ... / ខ្ញុំគឺ... | The phrase to state your name.
5. What's your name? (Question) | តើអ្នកឈ្មោះអ្វី? | The question to ask for someone's name.

Function: Responding Politely

6. Nice to meet you. (Phrase) | រីករាយដែលបានជួបអ្នក | The polite phrase you say when you learn someone's name for the first time.
7. Nice to meet you too. (Phrase) | រីករាយដែលបានជួបអ្នកដូចគ្នា | The correct reply to "Nice to meet you."

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record_voice_over Sounding Approachable

When you first speak to someone, your intonation helps you sound friendly and not aggressive.

• "Excuse me? ↗" - Let your voice go UP at the end. This sounds like a soft, polite question and makes people feel comfortable.
• "My name is Samnang. ↘" - Let your voice go DOWN at the end of a statement. This sounds confident and clear.

lightbulb Putting the Functions Together (A 4-Step Plan)

You can follow a simple 4-step plan to introduce yourself in any situation.

Step 1: Open (Get their attention politely).

Example: "Hello." or "Excuse me."

Step 2: State (Give your name).

Example: "My name is [your name]."

Step 3: Inquire (Ask for their name).

Example: "What's your name?"

Step 4: Respond (Say something polite).

Example: "Nice to meet you."

sports_esports Practice the Function

Activity 1: What's the Function?

Match the phrase to its job (its function).

1. What's your name?
2. My name is Vanna.
3. Excuse me.

• A. State (Give your name)
• B. Inquire (Ask for a name)
• C. Open (Get attention)

(Correct match: 1 -> B, 2 -> A, 3 -> C)

Activity 2: Mingle!

This is a standing activity. Walk around the classroom. Find two people you don't know well. Use the 4-step plan to introduce yourself and learn their names.

task Your Functional Mission

This week in Siem Reap, your mission is to perform the function of "introducing yourself" with one new person.

Follow the 4-step plan: Open, State, Inquire, Respond. You can do this with a new classmate, or a shopkeeper you see often. The goal is to have one successful introduction.