Making Introductions at Work
In this lesson, you will learn useful vocabulary and expressions that you can use in making introductions at work. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel on the introductions!
Part 1
Warm-Up and Vocabulary Preview A
Work with your teacher. Discuss the questions.
What can you remember about your first day at work?
Do you usually get nervous when starting a new job?
How about when you meet new people?
How do you know whether to be formal or informal when you
meet a new work colleague?
Imagine you’re introducing two people to each other at work. How would you introduce them? What information might you share?
Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right.
take a call ___
a job description or position
take a seat ___
to travel to and from work
commute ___
common workplace tasks such as filing, answering phones,
recording information, etc.
role ___
to learn where to go without getting lost
administrative duties ___
to accept or receive a telephone call
head to ___
routine office work involving documents such as contracts, letters, reports, etc.
head to ___
to be suited to a job and to get along with other employees
head to ___
to sit down
head to ___
to go somewhere (informal)
Part 2
Vocabulary Preview B
Complete each sentence with a phrase from the box.
Phrase List:
• give … a call
• report to
• keep … waiting
• take … around
• drop … off
• meet briefly
The new staff arrive tomorrow. Can we have a volunteer to__________them_________? It won’t take long—just show them the important places like the cafeteria, staff room, and restrooms.
I can’t believe she’s late again! I’m going to_________her_________and find out where she is.
I didn’t have much time to chat with the new employee yesterday, although we did_________in the hallway.
Quick, let’s go! We don’t want to ____________the taxi______________________.
I do have a supervisor, but I don’t have to ______________them often.
If you’re going past the human resources department on your way to lunch, could you just ______________this document_____________? Thanks.
Part 3
Listening 1
Listen to the four conversations. Complete the notes in the chart about each conversation.
Note: There may be more than one possible answer for some boxes.
Conversation 1
Conversation 2
Conversation 3
Conversation 4
Part 4
Listening 2
Listen to each conversation again.
Decide if the statements are True (T) or False (F).
Conversation 1
1. Teresa greets Brian as soon as he arrives. ____
2. Brian accepts the receptionist’s offer to get him a coffee. ____
Conversation 2
3. Junko and Brian have met before. ____
4. Teresa will take Brian to the IT department after the HR department. ____
Conversation 3
5. John is not in the HR department when Teresa and Brian arrive. ____
6. Carlos wants Brian to return to the HR department soon. ____
Conversation 4
7. Teresa says Brian shouldn’t be nervous. ____
8. Fatima suggests that Brian’s previous job may have similarities to his new one. ____
Part 5
Language Functions
Look at the four language functions in the chart. Add each sentence from the box to the chart based on its function. Some examples have been given.
Can you think of any other phrases to include under each function? Can you find any more phrases in the conversations that might be useful when making introductions?
1. Would you say that the speakers are formal, informal, or both?
2. Find the following phrases in the transcripts: “and so on,” “that sort of thing.” What could the purpose of these phrases be?
Part 6
Speaking
Look at the conversation starters on the right. Practice starting each converstation with a partner. Try to respond appropriately. Then switch roles.
Conversation Starters:
- Nice to meet you
- Jesse, meet Andy.
- So, are you looking forward to your first day?
- How was your commute this morning?
- How are you feeling about your first day?
Work with your teacher. Take turns to role play these scenarios below.
SCENARIO 1
Student A: You are a receptionist. A new employee has arrived.
• Greet them.
• Call your colleague to inform them of
the new employee’s arrival.
• Tell the employee to have a seat.
Student B: You are a new employee at a company. It is your first day. You have just arrived at reception.
• Greet them back.
• Respond to the
receptionist’s instructions.
SCENARIO 2
Student A: You are a manager at a company. Your new employee has just arrived in the reception area.
• Greet them.
• Make small talk.
• Tell them what will happen next.
Student B: You are a new employee at a company. Your manager has arrived in the reception area to greet you.
• Greet them back.
• Respond to the small talk.
SCENARIO 3
Student A: You are a manager at a company. You are showing a new employee (Student B) around the workplace.
• Introduce Student B to Student C.
• Explain Student C’s job role.
• Listen to the small talk.
• Close the conversation when ready.
Student B: You are a new employee. You manager will
introduce you to a new colleague.
• Greet Student C.
• Respond to small talk.
Student C: You are an employee. Your manager will introduce you to a new colleague.
• Greet Student B back.
• Make small talk.
1. Which of your classmates was the best at making introductions?
2. Who made good small talk? Explain why.
3. Which phrases from the lesson do you think will be most useful for you in the workplace? Why?
Part 7
Transcripts
Transcripts for Conversation 1.
Receptionist: Good morning. Can I help you?
Brian: Hello. Um, yes. I’m new and it’s my first day.
Receptionist: Ah, okay. Welcome!
Brian: Thank you.
Receptionist: Who are you reporting to?
Brian: Teresa Bushall in HR.
Receptionist: Okay, and you are…?
Brian: Brian Redondo.
Receptionist: One moment, Brian. I’ll just give her a call.
Brian: Thanks.
(Receptionist calls HR department.)
Receptionist: Hi, Teresa. I have Brian Redondo here for you. First day? Yes. Okay, will do.
(Receptionist speaks to Brian.)
Receptionist: She’s just about to take a call, Brian. If you’d like to take a seat, she won’t be long.
Brian: Thank you.
Receptionist: Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?
Brian: I’m fine, thank you.
Receptionist: Okay. Shouldn’t be too long.
Transcripts for Conversation 2.
Teresa: Brian, hello! Welcome! Sorry to keep you waiting.
Brian: Hi. No problem.
Teresa: How was your commute this morning?
Brian: Fine, no delays.
Teresa: Excellent. Brian, can I introduce you to Junko? Junko’s our recruitment manager.
Junko: Nice to meet you, Brian.
Brian: Yes, nice to meet you too!
Junko: We did meet briefly at your interview, actually, but I was in a different role then.
Brian: Yes, I remember. Was it during the tour of the office?
Junko: That’s right.
Teresa: Brian, you’ll be working quite closely with Junko. Most of your administrative duties to start with will focus on recruitment. But we’ll explain more about that later. First, let’s take you around. How about we drop your bag off and then head to HR to get your staff pass, the IT department for passwords, and so on. Okay?
Brian: Sure.
Teresa: Okay, we’ll take the elevator.
Transcripts for Conversation 3.
Teresa: So, here’s the HR department. They’re quite a small team. This is more for general admin services. You will work with them sometimes, such as when you’re sharing new employee details or checking contracts—that sort of thing.
Carlos: Hi, Teresa.
Teresa: Hi, Carlos. Carlos, this is Brian. Brian, Carlos.
Brian: Hello.
Carlos: Hi, nice to meet you.
Teresa: Carlos is one of our HR assistants here. The HR department is managed by John, but I can’t see if he’s here at the moment. Is John around, Carlos?
Carlos: He’s just gone for coffee.
Teresa: Okay, you’ll get to meet him later. Carlos, Brian is our new HR assistant.
Carlos: Welcome.
Brian: Thank you!
Carlos: So, will you be working with Junko?
Brian: Yes, I believe so.
Carlos: That’s good. The HR department has a great team.
Teresa: He’s not just saying that—honestly!
Carlos: I mean it. Brian, here’s your staff pass, which you’ll need a lot around the building—for the main entrance, cafeteria, gym, and so on.
Brian: Great, thanks.
Carlos: Also, could you come and see me a bit later once you’ve settled in? We have some paperwork to complete.
Brian: Sure, no problem.
Teresa: Thanks, Carlos. Let’s head to IT and get your passwords.
Transcripts for Conversation 4.
Teresa: How are you feeling about your first day?
Brian: Um, fine. A bit nervous, to be honest.
Teresa: Of course—that’s natural. There will be lots of information at first, and finding your way around will take time. No pressure. Ah, here’s Fatima. Fatima!
Fatima: Morning!
Teresa: Fatima, meet Brian. He’s our new HR assistant.
Fatima: Nice to meet you!
Brian: Nice to meet you too.
Teresa: Fatima works in sales. She’s a regional sales rep for…Central America now, isn’t it?
Fatima: That’s right. We’ve just restructured a bit and—oh, I won’t bore you with the details just yet!
Brian: (laughs)
Fatima: Were you working in HR before this, Brian?
Brian: Yes, I was at ELA Global.
Fatima: Oh, okay! So you should fit right in here then.
Brian: Hopefully!
Teresa: We’ll see you later, Fatima. We’re just off to IT.
Fatima: Sure. Nice meeting you, Brian, and have a good first day!
Brian: Thank you!