30-Day English Challenge | Day 1: Introduce Yourself Confidently (A2–B1) | Podcast By MrB

[00:00:00]Hi everyone. Welcome back to podcast by Mr. B, and welcome to day one of our brand new 30-day English challenge.

[00:00:08]>> That's right. 30 days, one small challenge a day, and by the end, you'll speak English with a lot more confidence.

[00:00:15]>> So, if this is your first time here, don't worry. You don't need to be perfect. You just need to try every single day.

[00:00:23]>> Exactly. Even 5 minutes a day can change your English. So, let's not wait. Let's start day one.

[00:00:30]>> Mr. B, what's today's topic?

[00:00:32]>> Today, it's something super important, but also super simple. Introducing yourself.

[00:00:38]>> Introducing yourself? That sounds too easy.

[00:00:41]>> You'd think so, but how many times have you frozen when someone asked, "So, tell me about yourself?"

[00:00:47]>> Okay, actually a lot of times. My brain goes blank, and I just say, "Um, I'm Anna."

[00:00:54]>> "I'm Anna." Shortest interview answer ever.

[00:00:57]>> I know, I know. That's exactly why we need today's episode.

[00:01:02]>> Actually, this happens everywhere. At a new job, on a video call, even meeting someone at a coffee shop.

[00:01:09]>> Oh, totally. Someone asks, "So, what do you do?" And suddenly, you forget your own job title.

[00:01:15]>> Right. Your brain just says, "I do things for work."

[00:01:20]>> "I do things." Very professional, Mr. B.

[00:01:24]>> But that's why a simple, ready-made structure is so useful. You don't have to think from zero every time.

[00:01:30]>> Okay, before we get to the structure, let's talk about where this actually happens, because it's not just job interviews, right?

[00:01:38]>> Not at all. Think about it. First day at a new job, a video call with new classmates, meeting your partner's family for the first time.

[00:01:46]>> Oh, that last one is scary. Hi, I'm Anna, and I promise I'm not weird.

[00:01:52]That's not a good introduction.

[00:01:54]>> Please don't say that in real life.

[00:01:57]>> Too late. I already have, twice.

[00:01:59]>> Well, today we fix that. There's also social media. Have you ever written a bio for Instagram or LinkedIn?

[00:02:06]>> Oh, don't remind me. I stared at that little box for 20 minutes once.

[00:02:11]>> See, that's an introduction, too. Even a short one in text. The same three-part structure works there as well.

[00:02:19]>> Oh, and what about language exchange apps? I matched with someone once and just sent, "Hi." That's it. One word.

[00:02:27]>> Hi, very mysterious.

[00:02:29]>> They probably thought I was a robot testing the app.

[00:02:32]>> Well, actually, that's a perfect example. One word doesn't give anyone a reason to reply, but a simple three-part message would work so much better.

[00:02:42]>> Right. Something like, "Hi, I'm Anna.

[00:02:45]I'm learning English and I love K-dramas." That already gives someone something to talk about.

[00:02:51]>> Exactly. Whether it's an app, a classroom, or a job interview, the same small structure saves you every time.

[00:02:58]>> Mr. B, one more thing. Introductions are a little different in different cultures, right? I feel like in Cambodia, people ask things quickly, like age or if you're married.

[00:03:09]>> That's a really good point. In many English-speaking cultures, those questions can actually feel too personal, especially the first time you meet someone.

[00:03:18]>> Really? Even age?

[00:03:20]>> Often, yes. In a lot of English conversations, people usually stick to safer topics first. Your name, your job or studies, maybe a hobby.

[00:03:30]>> Oh, so it's not that people are being cold, it's just a different habit.

[00:03:34]>> Exactly. It's not better or worse, just different. And that's actually useful to know, so you're not surprised if someone doesn't answer a personal question right away.

[00:03:44]>> That's a great tip, actually. I never thought about that before.

[00:03:47]>> Cultural awareness is part of communication, too, not just grammar.

[00:03:52]>> Okay, I'm convinced. This is a bigger skill than I thought. So, what's the structure?

[00:03:58]>> It's simple. A good self-introduction has three parts: your name, one detail about you, and one interesting fact.

[00:04:06]>> Okay, let's try an example. Ready?

[00:04:09]>> Ready.

[00:04:10]>> Hi, I'm Anna. I'm a podcast host from Cambodia, and I love learning a new word every single day.

[00:04:17]>> Perfect. Name, detail, interesting fact.

[00:04:21]Simple, but it already tells us a lot about you.

[00:04:24]>> See? Not scary at all.

[00:04:26]>> Let's do one more. Hi, I'm Mr. B. I make English podcasts, and my dream is to help 1 million learners speak English.

[00:04:34]>> I love that one. Short, but it says who you are and what you care about.

[00:04:39]>> Exactly. You don't need 10 sentences.

[00:04:41]Three is enough.

[00:04:43]>> Can we do one more example, just so listeners really get it?

[00:04:47]>> Sure. Let's imagine a student. Hi, I'm Dara. I'm studying business at university, and on weekends, I love playing badminton with my friends.

[00:04:57]>> See that? Name, Dara. Detail, studying business. Interesting fact, badminton on weekends.

[00:05:04]>> And one more, a working parent this time. Hi, I'm Sophia. I work as a nurse, and I have two kids who keep me very busy.

[00:05:13]>> Busy. I think every parent in the world can relate to that one.

[00:05:17]>> Right? And notice something, none of these examples used difficult words.

[00:05:22]Simple grammar, simple vocabulary, but every single one sounds natural.

[00:05:27]>> That's actually really reassuring. I always thought a good introduction needed to sound impressive.

[00:05:34]>> Not at all. Clear and honest beats impressive and confusing every time.

[00:05:40]>> Okay, your turn now. Pause the episode and say your own three-part introduction out loud. Ready?

[00:05:48]Go.

[00:05:49]>> Nice job, everyone. Now, here's a small tip. If you feel nervous, use a simple starting phrase.

[00:05:56]>> Like what?

[00:05:57]>> Like, let me introduce myself. Or just, hi, I'm Both work perfectly.

[00:06:03]>> And you don't need fancy words. Simple English is still real English.

[00:06:07]>> Exactly. That's actually our whole channel's philosophy.

[00:06:12]>> Mr. B, what mistakes do people usually make when they introduce themselves? I feel like I've made all of them.

[00:06:18]>> Good question. The first big mistake is saying too much, like giving your whole life story in the first 10 seconds.

[00:06:26]>> Guilty. I once told a stranger about my childhood dog within 1 minute of meeting them.

[00:06:33]>> Did they ask about your dog?

[00:06:35]>> No. They asked what I do for work.

[00:06:38]>> That's exactly the mistake. Keep it short first. If people want more details, they'll ask.

[00:06:44]>> Okay. Mistake number one, too much information. What's next?

[00:06:49]>> Mistake number two, being too quiet or too flat. Even in English, energy matters, not just grammar.

[00:06:56]>> What do you mean by flat?

[00:06:58]>> I mean speaking in one boring tone, like, hi, I'm Anna. I work. Goodbye.

[00:07:05]>> Wow, that sounds like a robot, not a person.

[00:07:09]>> Exactly. A little warmth in your voice makes a huge difference, even with simple words.

[00:07:14]>> Okay, so it's not just what you say, but how you say it.

[00:07:19]>> Exactly. And mistake number three, talking too fast because you're nervous and rushing through your own name.

[00:07:25]>> Oh, I do this all the time. I say my name so fast, people ask me to repeat it.

[00:07:31]>> A simple fix is slow down your name a little louder than everything else. It's the most important word in your introduction.

[00:07:39]>> That's a great tip. Slow down for your own name.

[00:07:43]>> And mistake number four, forgetting to smile even on audio or a phone call.

[00:07:48]People can actually hear a smile in your voice.

[00:07:51]>> Really? You can hear a smile?

[00:07:54]>> Yes, try it. Say, "Hello." while smiling, then say, "Hello." with a flat face. It sounds completely different.

[00:08:02]>> Hello.

[00:08:03]Okay, that did sound a little more friendly.

[00:08:06]>> See? Free tip, no cost, just smile.

[00:08:10]>> Okay, is there one more mistake? I feel like there's always one more.

[00:08:15]>> Actually, yes. Mistake number five, talking only about yourself and forgetting to ask something back.

[00:08:22]>> What do you mean?

[00:08:24]>> I mean, after you introduce yourself, a good habit is to ask a small question, like, "And what about you?" or "What do you do?"

[00:08:32]>> Oh, that turns it into a real conversation instead of just a speech.

[00:08:37]>> Exactly. Nobody wants to listen to a one-person show. Introductions go both ways.

[00:08:44]>> Five mistakes, five easy fixes. I feel like I could teach this now. Okay, one more question. Does your introduction change depending on the situation, like formal versus casual?

[00:08:56]>> Great question. Yes, definitely. In a formal situation, like a job interview, you keep it professional.

[00:09:03]>> Like, "Good morning. My name is Anna. I have 3 years of experience in customer service, and I really enjoy helping people solve problems."

[00:09:13]>> Exactly. Polite, clear, and focused on work.

[00:09:16]>> And in a casual situation?

[00:09:18]>> In a casual situation, like meeting new friends, you can relax more. Hey, I'm Mr. B. I make English podcasts, and I'm honestly a huge fan of spicy food.

[00:09:29]>> Huge fan of spicy food. Very Mr. B.

[00:09:33]>> It's true, and that little personal detail makes people remember you.

[00:09:37]>> Oh, so formal introductions focus on work and casual ones can show more personality.

[00:09:44]>> Exactly. Same three-part structure, just a different style depending on who you're talking to.

[00:09:49]>> Okay, let's practice that. Pause again and try your introduction two ways. One formal, one casual. Go ahead.

[00:09:58]>> Great job, everyone. Okay, let's move to word tour.

[00:10:02]>> Word one, introduce. This means to tell someone your name and information for the first time. Example, let me introduce myself.

[00:10:12]>> Word two, background. This means your history, where you're from, your job, your studies. Example, my background is in teaching.

[00:10:21]>> Word three, nickname. A short, friendly name people call you instead of your real name. Example, my nickname is B.

[00:10:30]>> Word four, passionate. This means you love something a lot. Example, I'm passionate about music.

[00:10:37]>> Word five, connect. This means to build a relationship with someone. Example, a good introduction helps you connect with people.

[00:10:46]>> Word six, confident. This means feeling sure of yourself. Example, she sounded confident during her introduction.

[00:10:55]>> Word seven, casual. This means relaxed and informal. Example, it was a casual conversation, not a formal meeting.

[00:11:04]Word eight, professional. This means related to work in a serious and polite way. Example, keep your introduction professional in a job interview.

[00:11:14]>> Word nine, memorable. This means easy to remember. Example, a short, interesting fact makes your introduction memorable.

[00:11:23]>> And word 10, impression. This means the feeling you give someone when they first meet you. Example, a warm smile creates a good first impression.

[00:11:33]>> One bonus word, polite. This means having good manners and showing respect to others. Example, it's polite to ask a question back.

[00:11:42]>> Eleven great words. Try using two or three of them when you introduce yourself today. Now, let's move to say it better.

[00:11:50]>> Instead of saying, "I'm Anna." you can say, "Hi there, I'm Anna. Nice to meet you."

[00:11:56]>> Instead of saying, "I work at a company." you can say, "I work in marketing at a small company."

[00:12:02]>> Instead of saying, "I like music." you can say, "I'm really passionate about music."

[00:12:08]>> Instead of saying, "Nice to meet you."

[00:12:10]you can say, "It's great to finally meet you."

[00:12:13]>> Instead of saying, "I'm from Cambodia."

[00:12:16]you can say, "I'm originally from Cambodia."

[00:12:19]>> And instead of saying, "That's all about me." you can say, "That's a little bit about me. Feel free to ask me anything."

[00:12:26]>> One last one. Instead of saying, "What's your name?" you can say, "I'd love to know your name, too."

[00:12:33]>> That's such a warm way to ask. It makes the other person feel welcome, not nervous.

[00:12:39]>> Small changes, but they sound so much warmer and so much more natural.

[00:12:44]>> I really love that last one. It invites the other person to keep talking instead of just ending the conversation.

[00:12:52]>> Exactly. A good introduction isn't just about you. It opens the door for a real conversation.

[00:12:58]>> Okay, quick recap before the challenge.

[00:13:01]Name one detail, one interesting fact.

[00:13:04]That's it.

[00:13:05]>> And remember the small fixes, too. Don't say too much, smile even on audio, slow down for your name, and ask a question back.

[00:13:15]>> Five simple ideas, and suddenly introductions feel a lot less scary.

[00:13:21]Okay, now for the most important part.

[00:13:23]Today's challenge.

[00:13:25]>> Here it is. Today, introduce yourself in English using the three-part structure: name, one detail, one interesting fact.

[00:13:35]>> Record yourself saying it out loud, even just on your phone. Just three simple sentences.

[00:13:41]>> Don't worry if it's not perfect. The goal isn't perfect English. The goal is speaking without freezing.

[00:13:48]>> So, better than my food is my favorite food moment, right?

[00:13:52]>> Much better. Even one small try today is a win.

[00:13:56]>> Smiling. If you want a bonus challenge, try recording two versions, one formal, one casual, and see which one feels more natural to you.

[00:14:05]>> And if you feel brave, post it in the comments or share it with the hashtag real life English challenge. Day one done. 29 more days to go.

[00:14:16]>> Remember, this challenge isn't about being perfect on day one. It's about showing up again on day two and day three and every day after that.

[00:14:25]>> Think of it like planting a small seed today. You won't see a big tree tomorrow, but if you keep showing up, by day 30, you'll notice a real difference.

[00:14:36]>> I love that. Small effort every day adds up to something big.

[00:14:41]>> Well said. And remember, this is podcast by Mr. B, simple English, real life, every day.

[00:14:49]>> See you tomorrow for day two.

[00:14:51]>> Bye for now and good luck with your challenge.