ESL WAVE · Teacher Toolkit
Self-Introduction Template
Use this four-part script on day one with a new class. Keep it under two minutes, smile, and get students talking as soon as you can.
The script
1. Greeting
Hello everyone! My name is [name]. You can call me [Teacher name / Mr. or Ms. name]. Can you say it with me?
2. Where I’m from
I’m from [city], [country]. Here it is on the map! It’s famous for [one thing students might know].
3. About me
I love [hobby or interest], my favorite food is [food], and I have [a pet / family detail]. Can you guess one more thing about me?
4. Our class
In this class we will [play games / read stories / speak a lot of English]. My three class rules are: [listen], [try your best] and [be kind]. Now I want to know about you!
Adapt it by age
- Kindergarten: use a puppet, photos and big gestures. Keep sentences to three to five words and teach a hello song.
- Elementary: add a guessing game and practice “My name is…” and “I like…” with the whole class.
- Middle & high school: share a short story with photos, then explain your goals, homework and grading clearly.
- Adults: keep it professional — your background, your teaching approach and what they will achieve in the course.
Activities to follow
- Two truths and a lie about you
- Students introduce a partner to the class
- Name ball toss or name chain game
- “Find someone who…” mingle activity
Delivery tips
- Speak slowly and grade your language to the class level
- Show, don’t tell — use photos, a map or a real object
- Repeat the phrase “My name is…” and get students to answer
- Learn and use at least five student names in the first lesson
- Finish with one question back to the class
From the ESL WAVE Teacher Toolkit — free resources for English teachers across Asia. Adapt freely for your own use.