English - Lesson 123 of 139: Meeting New People

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

I live near here.

say that you live nearby

Meaning: say that you live nearby

When to use: Simple personal-information response for first conversations.

Tip: Some learners say 'I live near to here.' The correct short phrase is 'I live near here.'

'I live near here, so I come by bike.'.

'I live near here — it's easy to walk to the café.'.

I'm here for ___.

state your reason for being at a place or event

Meaning: state your reason for being at a place or event

When to use: Reusable response for explaining why you are present.

'I'm here for the workshop.'.

'I'm here for Anna's party.'.

What do you do?

ask about someone's work or main activity

Meaning: ask about someone's work or main activity

When to use: Common spoken question when meeting adults for the first time.

Tip: Beginners sometimes answer 'I do teacher.' The natural answer is 'I'm a teacher.'

'What do you do?'.

'What do you do for work?'.

Is this your first time here?

ask if someone has been to a place or event before

Meaning: ask if someone has been to a place or event before

When to use: Practical conversation starter at events, classes, and meetups.

'Is this your first time here?'.

'Is this your first time at this meetup?'.

Let's keep in touch.

suggest staying in contact after meeting

Meaning: suggest staying in contact after meeting

When to use: Useful closing move after a positive first conversation.

'Let's keep in touch — here's my number.'.

'It was great to meet you. Let's keep in touch.'.

What brings you here?

Ask about someone's reason for being at an event or place

Meaning: ask about someone's reason for being at an event or place

When to use: High-frequency friendly opener for social situations.

'What brings you here?'.

'What brings you to this class?'.

I'm a friend of ___.

Mention how the speaker is connected to another person

Meaning: mention how the speaker is connected to another person

When to use: Reusable introduction chunk for explaining a simple social connection.

'I'm a friend of Mark.'.

'I'm a friend of the host.'.

English - Meeting New People

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which sentence tells someone you live nearby?

Which question asks about someone's job?

Which phrase asks why someone is at the event?

Which phrase is a friendly way to end a first conversation and share contact later?

Anna: What do you do? David: I'm a teacher.

At the meetup Anna asked, 'What brings you here?' and Tom answered, 'I'm here for the workshop.'

After they exchanged numbers, Anna said, 'Let's keep in touch.'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice