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

Speaking: Functional Language A1

Greeting People & Introducing Oneself

Listen to the conversation example.

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

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. Click 🔊 to hear each line.

Samnang: Excuse me. Is this seat free?

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

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

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

Samnang: Nice to meet you too.

A 4-Step Plan for Introductions

You can follow this simple plan to introduce yourself in any situation.

1. Step 1: Open

   Get their attention politely.
   Example: "Hello." or "Excuse me."

2. Step 2: State

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

3. Step 3: Inquire

   Ask for their name.
   Example: "What's your name?"

4. Step 4: Respond

   Say something polite.
   Example: "Nice to meet you."

Your Functional Toolkit 🛠️

Here are the tools (phrases) you need for the 4-step plan. Click 🔊 to practice.

Function: Getting Attention / Starting

• Excuse me.
• Is this seat free?

Function: Introducing

• My name is... / I'm...
• What's your name?

Function: Responding Politely

• Nice to meet you.
• Nice to meet you too.

Tips for Sounding Friendly

🗣️ Sounding Approachable

Your intonation (the 'music' of your voice) helps you sound friendly. Remember:

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

Practice the Function 🎯

Activity 1: What's the Function? (Self-Check)

Match the phrase (1-3) to its job/function (A-C). Choose the correct function from the dropdown.

1. What's your name?

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

2. My name is Vanna.

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

3. Excuse me.

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

Activity 2: Mingle!

Walk around the classroom (or imagine doing it). Find two people you don't know well. Use the 4-step plan (Open, State, Inquire, Respond) to introduce yourself and learn their names.

Key Phrases

• Excuse me. | សូមអភ័យទោស

  A polite phrase to get someone's attention.
• Is this seat free? | តើកៅអីនេះទំនេរទេ?

  A polite question to ask if you can sit next to someone.
• by the way | និយាយអញ្ចឹង

  A phrase to introduce new information smoothly.
• Nice to meet you. | រីករាយដែលបានជួបអ្នក
• Nice to meet you too. | រីករាយដែលបានជួបអ្នកដូចគ្នា

Your Functional Mission ⭐

This week, 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.