Introducing Yourself (A1 Lesson)

Topic and Learning Objectives: Answer “Can you tell me your name?” without fear

You don’t need perfect English to be understood. You just need one clear sentence: your name. When someone says, “Can you tell me your name?”, your job is simple - answer with your name quickly and clearly, then keep going if you want.

In Lesson 1, you saw the basics: the verb be (I am, you are, he is) and a few personal words like name and age. Now you will practice a real mini-talk: a short greeting, a question you may hear in class or at work, and a calm answer. This matters because real conversations move fast, and fear often makes learners freeze. With practice, your answer becomes automatic.

Learning Objectives

• Say a simple greeting and answer: “Can you tell me your name?”
• Use the pattern “My name is …” confidently, even if you make small mistakes.

Main Concepts: Greeting, the question, and the “My name is …” answer

A greeting is a short friendly start to a conversation. At A1 level, you can use “Hello.” or “Hi.” A greeting is not a performance - it’s just a signal that you are ready to speak.

The question “Can you tell me your name?” is very common. Can is a polite way to ask for something. Tell means “say.” Your means “the name of the person I am talking to.” So the whole question means: “Please say your name.”

Here is the key grammar pattern you need:

• My name is + your name.

Pattern - a sentence structure you reuse again and again.

For this question, the pattern is:

• “My name is ____.”

Why this works: you are not guessing grammar every time. You only replace the blank with your name.

Now connect it to the verb be (the verb that tells who someone is). In your answer, is is the correct form:

• “My name is Anna.”
• “My name is Ben.”
• “My name is Grace.”

Notice something important: you don’t need extra words to answer correctly. You can keep it short. If you want to add more later, you can - but the goal here is confidence first.

A common fear is, “What if I say it wrong?” In real life, people usually listen for the important part: your name. If you miss a word, you can repeat it. A simple repair phrase at A1 level is:

• “Sorry. My name is …”

(That means: “I want to say it again.”)

Ask yourself: If a teacher points to you and asks the question, can you answer with “My name is …” right away? If yes, you are ready.

Practical takeaway: Memorize one answer pattern - “My name is …” - and let it do the work for you.

Worked Example: From question to a clear name answer (with quick fixes)

Let’s practice one complete interaction. Imagine you are in class and the teacher asks: “Can you tell me your name?” You want to answer with no fear, even if you feel nervous.

We will use the name Ben and keep it short.

1. Listen to the question: “Can you tell me your name?”

• Decision: You only need to answer the name part.

2. Choose the correct sentence pattern.

• Pattern: “My name is ____.”

3. Fill in the blank with your name.

• If your name is Ben, the sentence becomes: “My name is Ben.”

4. Add a short greeting if you want a smooth start.

• Optional: “Hello.” before your answer.

5. Check your final spoken result.

• What matters most: the words “My name is” + your name.

Final answer: “Hello. My name is Ben.”

Now let’s include a quick “repair” option, because nervous moments happen.

6. If you make a small mistake, don’t stop. Try again.

• Example repair: “Sorry. My name is Ben.”

7. Outcome: the listener hears your name again clearly.

Final answer with repair: “Sorry. My name is Ben.”

Ask yourself after you read this: Could you say “My name is Ben” without thinking? That’s the goal. When your answer is ready, your fear becomes smaller.

Practical takeaway: Prepare one short sentence and one simple repair line. You will feel more safe when you speak.

Practice Questions: Say it, then check it (with hints and answer key)

Try these questions like quick speaking drills. Say your answers out loud. If you feel shy, whisper first - then speak louder.

1) Question: Can you tell me your name?

Hint: Use “My name is …”

Your answer: ______

2) Question: Can you tell me your name? (Your name is Anna.)

Hint: Fill in the blank after “is”

Your answer: ______

3) Question: Can you tell me your name? (Your name is Ahmed.)

Hint: Keep it short. No extra details needed.

Your answer: ______

4) Question: You made a mistake. What can you say to try again?

Hint: Use “Sorry.” then repeat your name sentence.

Your answer: ______

5) Question: Make a short greeting + name answer.

Hint: Use “Hello.” + “My name is …”

Your answer: ______

Answer Key:

1) “My name is …”

2) “My name is Anna.”

3) “My name is Ahmed.”

4) “Sorry. My name is …” (repeat your name)

5) “Hello. My name is …”

...