Introducing Yourself with Impact

Warm-up: Thirty seconds to impress

2 warm-up questions

• Can you think of someone who made a really strong first impression on you? What did they do?
• First try: we've just met at an event. “So, what do you do?” — answer me in 30 seconds, go.

Reading: The Power of a Strong Introduction

Read a 225-word text about The Power of a Strong Introduction

The Power of a Strong Introduction You walk into a networking event, a conference, or even a casual meetup. Someone asks the simplest question in the world: "So, what do you do?" And suddenly, your mind goes blank. You stumble through a boring job title, add a few vague details, and watch their eyes glaze over. We've all been there. Here's the truth: first impressions are formed in about seven seconds. That means the way you introduce yourself matters enormously — not just what you say, but how you say it. A strong introduction doesn't just share information. It creates curiosity. It makes people want to know more. The good news? You don't need to be naturally charismatic. You need a structure. The Elevator Pitch framework gives you exactly that — a simple three-part formula that helps you sound confident, clear, and memorable in about 30 seconds. Think of it like a movie trailer. A trailer doesn't tell you the whole story — it gives you just enough to make you want to see the film. Your introduction should do the same thing: share who you are, what you do, and why it matters — then let the conversation flow from there. In this lesson, you'll learn the Elevator Pitch framework, practise key vocabulary for introductions, and deliver your own pitch in a realistic scenario.

Framework: The Elevator Pitch

Elevator Pitch, 3 steps

Elevator Pitch: The Elevator Pitch is a 30-second introduction that tells people who you are, what you do, and why it matters. It's called an 'elevator pitch' because it should be short enough to deliver during a single elevator ride. The key is to be concise, specific, and end with something that invites further conversation.

Practice: Introduction Vocabulary Practice

Gap-fill exercise, 5 items

• She delivered her ____ so smoothly that the investor immediately asked for a meeting.
• Making a good ____ is important because people form opinions in the first few seconds.
• At the conference, I tried to ____ with as many people as possible.
• He's very ____ — he can talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable.
• Her introduction really ____ because she told a personal story about why she loves her work.

Dialogue: Your Elevator Pitch at a Professional Meetup

Role-play: You're at a professional meetup for people in your industry. During the coffee break, you start chatting with someone who asks what you do. Deliver your elevator pitch using the Who-What-Why framework. (4 lines)

• attendee: Sam starts the conversation casually. Respond with the 'Who' part of your pitch — introduce yourself with your name and context.
• attendee: Sam says 'Oh, interesting! What does that involve?' Now deliver the 'What' part — explain what you actually do in plain language.
• student: Now add the 'Why' part — share why you're passionate about your work or what makes it interesting. End with something that invites Sam to respond.
• student: Sam mentions they're thinking about changing careers. Give a slightly different version of your pitch — this time, make it more personal and conversational, as if you're talking to a friend.

Discussion: Your mission: the 30-second pitch

5 discussion questions

• Mission: practise using the Elevator Pitch framework. Introduce yourself in 30 seconds — Who you are, What you do, Why it matters. Real you, real job or studies. (Tutor: time it and check all three beats land.)
• Harder second take: same pitch, different audience — a potential client or employer instead of a peer. What changes in the Why?
• Do elevator pitches feel natural or forced to you? How can a prepared introduction still sound spontaneous?
• How does introducing yourself in English feel different from your first language? What's harder — and what might actually be easier?
• Compare with your first try: what does the new version say that “I'm an engineer” didn't?