Listening and Speaking. Conversational Skills: Polite Language

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In groups, talk about what you understand by personal responsibility.

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Conversational Skills: Polite Language

Activity 1

  1. Introduce yourself to your classmates.
  2. In groups talk about the following:
    1. The details most learners included in introducing themselves.
    2. The polite language that was used in the introductions. 
    3. The different types of introductions that you know.
  3. Make a list of details that you would need to know for you to properly introduce people.
  4. Watch the video that your teacher will play for you.
  5. List the tips for an effective self-introduction. Talk about the tips with your classmates.

Activity 2

Act out the following dialogue in pairs.

Teacher:

Good morning. I do not think we have met.

Student:

Good morning, Madam. No, we have not met. This is my first day in this school.

Teacher:

What is your name? I am Teacher Moraa.

Student:

My name is Chege Cherere, Madam.

Teacher:

I am delighted to meet you, Chege. Welcome to Joyspring School. I am sure you will be very happy here.

Student:

Thank you,Teacher Moraa. I know many of your former students and they all say very nice things about the school.

Teacher:

Oh! Do they? Thanks. I am glad to hear this.

Student:

I look forward to learning many things in this school.

Teacher:

Yes you will, Chege. I need to meet someone in the office. Please, excuse me. I hope you settle down quickly. Good day.

Student:

Thank you very much. Good day, Teacher Moraa.

Questions

  1. Which polite words have been used in the dialogue?
  2. What do you like about Teacher Moraa?
  3. How do you think the student feels after talking to the teacher?

Activity 3

  1. Imagine that you are introducing the people named in column A below.
  2. What information in column B would be appropriate to give about them?
  3. Explain to one another in groups.

A

B

  1. Your teacher to your parents or guardian
  2. Two of your friends to each other
  3. Your married sister or brother to a new neighbour
  4. Your grandparents to a friend
  1. their names
  2. where they live
  3. co-curricular activities they are in charge of
  4. why you like him or her
  5. what they do for a living
  6. how old they are
  7. their favourite sport
  8. the size of his or her family
  9. how much they earn
  10. your relationship with them
  11. what they teach
  1. In groups, talk about whether or not it is always polite
    ​to mention people’s names as you introduce them.
  2. Role play the following dialogue.

(A boy and a girl meet during a club meeting)

Mwari:

Good morning. (Looking at the boy and greeting him) My name is Mwari. What is your name?

Mpaayei:

Good morning, Mwari. My name is Chuck Mpaayei. (Smiles) I am pleased to meet you.

Mwari:

(Sounding curious) Are you new here? I don’t think we have met.

Mpaayei:

(Shaking his head) No, I am not new. However, I am in a different stream. Perhaps that is why we have not met.

Mwari:

This is the first time I am attending this club meeting. I want to be a member.

Mpaayei:

Welcome. I have been a member for some time. In fact, I am the secretary.

Mwari:

(Looking happy) Oh! Congratulations.

Mpaayei:

(Bowing slightly) Thank you, Mwari.

Work in groups of three and do the following.

  1. Assume that the other two students in your group do not know you. Introduce yourself to them politely.
  2. Imagine that you are introducing two people that you know well but who do not know each other.
  3. Match the letter with the correct introduction.
  1. Introducing yourself to a group
  2. Two people introducing themselves to each other
  3. Introducing two people to each other
  4. Introducing people in a group

  1. Good afternoon, parents. Please allow me to introduce our teachers. This is Mr Karanja, the class teacher of Grade Seven. He teaches English. Next to him is Mrs Wanjala. She teaches mathematics and is in charge of sports. Over here is Mr Kazungu who teaches Kiswahili and is in charge of the Drama Club.

  2. Abdi, please meet Halima, my cousin. Halima, please meet Abdi, my best friend.

Mary:

Hello. My name is Mary Akina.

Kolosho:

Hello, Mary. My name is Kolosho Temo. It is my pleasure to meet you.

Mary:

Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you too.


  1. Good morning everyone. I am Mary Akina, a Grade Seven student in Twaweza Secondary School in Nakuru County. I love swimming. I am happy to meet you all.

Activity 5

  1. In groups, tell one another about yourselves. Say your name, where you come from, what you like and what you would like to be in future.
  2. Play the game, “Catch the ball”. When you throw the ball, the one who catches it then introduces you. This goes on until everyone has been introduced by somebody else.

Takeaway Assignment

Use books or the Internet to search for information on the different types of introductions and share it with your classmates or someone at home.

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