Lesson 2: Greetings and Introductions

English A1 – Beginner

In this introductory video, Abraham Lincoln teaches us how to greet others in English — formally, informally, and neutrally. You’ll hear real-life examples, learn key phrases, and discover how body language supports communication.

Transcript:

Good morning. I am Abraham Lincoln.
Today, we explore how to greet others in English — not just with words, but with warmth and purpose.
Let’s begin with a formal greeting.
Imagine you walk into a shop.
You say: “Hello, Mr. Thompson. How are you today?”
He replies: “I’m fine, thank you, Mr. Lincoln. And you?”
You answer: “Doing well, thank you.”
This is polite, respectful, and clear.
We use “Hello” or “Good morning” in professional settings, with strangers, or in public places.
Now let’s look at an informal greeting.
You meet a friend on the street.
He says: “Hey! What’s up?”
You smile and say: “Not much. Just enjoying the morning.”
This is casual.
“Hey” and “What’s up?” are common among friends or younger people.
But remember — context matters.
Here’s another example.
You greet a neighbor.
You say: “Hi, Sarah. Nice to see you again.”
She replies: “Nice to see you too, Mr. Lincoln.”
“Hi” and “Nice to see you” are friendly and neutral.
They work well with neighbors, classmates, or colleagues.
Now let’s talk about body language.
When you greet someone, smile.
Make eye contact.
Speak clearly.
Your words matter — but so does your presence.
Let’s review.
Formal greetings: “Good morning,” “Hello,” “How are you?”
Informal greetings: “Hey,” “What’s up,” “Yo”
Neutral greetings: “Hi,” “Nice to see you,” “How’s it going?”
Whether you say “Hello,” “Hi,” or “Hey,” greetings are more than words.
They open doors.
They build trust.
They show respect.
Now that you’ve learned how to greet others in English — formally, informally, and with confidence — it’s time to practice.
Explore the vocabulary, try the interactive activities, and complete your first communicative task.
Let’s continue together — your next step is just below.

—End of Transcript—

Lesson Goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Use three different ways to greet people in English (Formal, Informal, and Neutral).
Understand and use the difference between formal and informal greetings.
Ask and respond to questions about well-being (“How are you?”).
Introduce yourself and others using key phrases.
Use appropriate farewell expressions.

1. Getting Started: How We Say Hello

In English, we change how we greet people depending on the situation. We use Formal greetings when talking to a boss, teacher, or someone you don’t know well. We use Informal greetings with friends and family.

A. Formal Greetings (More Serious)

English Phrase	Meaning	When to Use
Good morning.	Used from sunrise until noon (12:00 PM).	Meeting a teacher or starting a business meeting.
Good afternoon.	Used from noon (12:00 PM) until sunset (approx. 6:00 PM).	Meeting a colleague in the afternoon.
Good evening.	Used from sunset until bedtime.	Meeting someone for dinner or a formal event.

Note: We usually do not say “Good night” to greet someone; we use it only to say goodbye before going to bed.

B. Informal Greetings (Casual)

English Phrase	Meaning	When to Use
Hello.	The most common, all-purpose greeting.	With anyone, anytime.
Hi!	A quick, very friendly greeting.	With friends, family, or people your age.
Hey.	Very casual.	Used mainly with close friends.

C. Neutral Greetings (Polite but Friendly)

2. Asking How Someone Is

After you say “Hello” or “Good morning,” it is common to ask how the other person is doing.

Question (English)	Common Answer (English)	How to Ask Back
How are you? (Standard)	I’m fine, thank you.	And you? / How about you?
How are you doing? (Standard)	I’m well, thanks. / Great!	And you?
How’s it going? (Informal)	Good, thanks. / Not bad.	How about you?

👉 Practice: Say “Hi, how are you?” to your screen and answer, “I’m fine, thank you!”

3. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Introductions

The purpose of introductions is to clearly state your name and politely acknowledge the other person.

A. Introducing Yourself

Phrase	Usage	Example Dialogue
My name is…	The standard way to state your name.	Hello, my name is Alice.
I am… (I’m)	A common, slightly faster alternative.	I’m Ben.
Allow me to introduce myself.	Very formal phrase (use rarely).	Good evening. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dr. Smith.

B. Meeting and Introducing Others

To introduce two people, use the phrase: This is…”
Example: “Hello, I’m Anna. This is Tom.”

When meeting a new person, the best responses are:
1. Nice to meet you.

2. Pleased to meet you.

4. 🚪 Saying Goodbye

Use these farewell phrases to end a conversation:

A. Standard Farewells

B. Before Bed

✨ Use Good night only when leaving someone who is going to bed or when you are going to bed yourself.

5. Greeting and Introductions Scenarios

Choosing the right greeting for different situations is important. Whether you’re meeting a professor, texting a friend, or welcoming a guest, the way you greet someone sets the tone.