Business English · Module 1 · Unit 1
Introducing Yourself At Work
Pre B1 IntermediateLearning Objectives
In this session, you will discuss introducing team members and expand your vocabulary for everyday communication.
Situation
Discussion
- How do you usually introduce a new colleague to your existing team?
- What key information should be shared when welcoming someone to a department?
- How do team introductions help launch new projects smoothly?
New Words & Expressions
My role is…
Set Phrase/maɪ roʊl ɪz/
Meaning:A simple, direct way to state your main duties or job responsibilities.
My role is to manage client communications and keep projects on schedule.
Real Life Tip:
Commonly used in American business settings when introducing yourself or clarifying team responsibilities during kickoffs.
Get the ball rolling
Idiom/ɡɛt ðə bɔːl ˈroʊlɪŋ/
Meaning:To start an activity, process, or project.
Since everyone is here, let's get the ball rolling on the planning session.
Real Life Tip:
Widely used by meeting facilitators to transition from small talk to the main agenda.
Touch base
Phrasal Verb / Informal/tʌtʃ beɪs/
Meaning:To contact someone briefly to exchange updates or confirm plans.
Let us touch base after lunch to review the project timeline.
Real Life Tip:
Universal American workplace slang used to arrange short check-ins without scheduling a long meeting.
Bring on board
Phrasal Verb/brɪŋ ɑːn bɔːrd/
Meaning:To hire or include someone as a new member of a team or project.
We are excited to bring Alex on board as our new coordinator.
Real Life Tip:
Frequently used in onboarding and announcement emails to warmly welcome new employees.
Conversation
Direction:
- Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation aloud.
- Role-play the conversation with your teacher
SarahOmar, I want to officially bring Alex on board with our project.
OmarWelcome, Alex! What will your focus be on our team?
AlexThanks, Omar! My role is to coordinate client reports and timelines.
Q&A
- Does Sarah bring Alex on board with the project?
- Is Alex's role to coordinate client reports and timelines?
- Does Alex suggest that they touch base tomorrow morning?
Integrating New Team Members Effectively
Exercise
We are thrilled to ________ Sarah as our new project manager.
Let us ________ after the presentation to ensure we are aligned.
Which sentence is correct?
If we meet at 9:00 AM, we ________.
rolling / ball / get / the / let us / now
base / afternoon / touch / will / I / this / with you
Ask Your Teacher
- How do you usually introduce new hires when you bring them on board?
- What is the best way to get the ball rolling in meetings?
- How often do you touch base with your supervisor each week?
Your Time To Speak
- Do you touch base with your manager every morning?
- Have you ever helped bring on board a new colleague?
- How do you get the ball rolling on new team assignments?
- Why is it important to explain "my role is..." clearly?
- What do you think helps teams get the ball rolling quickly?
- Would you agree that it takes time to bring someone on board?
- Is it true that brief meetings are best to touch base?
- Would you touch base late in the evening with colleagues?
- What if a new employee struggles after you bring them on board?
- What would you do if nobody tries to get the ball rolling?
- What do you think will happen if teams never touch base?
- Which is better, a long email or choosing to touch base?
- What should leaders do when they bring on board new staff?
- What do you think causes delays when trying to touch base?
- What happens if someone forgets what their role is on a project?