Advanced Speaking Practice
Level: B1
Skill: Speaking
Topic: Greetings & Introductions
Time: 20–25 minutes
exercise 1: sophisticated openings (substitution drill)
Say each phrase until it feels natural.
I don’t believe we’ve met before.
I don’t think we’ve been introduced.
You must be … !
If I’m not mistaken, you are … !
I’ve heard so much about you!
It’s a pleasure to finally meet you!
I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.
Now say the response for each phrase.
That’s right! My name is … . Lovely to meet you!
I don’t think so either! My name is … .
Yes, that’s right! And you must be … !
Yes! And if I’m not mistaken, you are … !
Oh, really? I hope it was all good!
The pleasure is mine! My name is … .
Likewise! I’ve heard wonderful things about you!
Repeat until it feels natural.
exercise 2: present perfect continuous (pronoun cycle)
Say the chain for the first phrase.
I have been looking forward to meeting you.
You have been looking forward to meeting him.
He has been looking forward to meeting her.
She has been looking forward to meeting us.
We have been looking forward to meeting you.
You have been looking forward to meeting them.
They have been looking forward to meeting me.
Now repeat the cycle with the other phrases.
living here for …
working here since …
exploring the city recently
meeting new people lately
settling in slowly
getting used to things gradually
Repeat until it feels natural.
exercise 3: polite enquiries (dialogue)
Say the dialogue for each phrase.
name
A: Please, call me David.
B: Call you David?
A: Yes, that’s right. Please, call me David!
B: Of course! It’s a pleasure, David!
ask
A: What is it that you do, if you don’t mind me asking?
B: What is it that I do?
A: Yes, if you don’t mind!
B: Of course! I work as a … . And yourself?
wondering
A: I was wondering if you could tell me a little about yourself.
B: You would like me to tell you a little about myself?
A: Yes, I was wondering if you could!
B: Of course! My name is … and I am from … .
based
A: How long have you been based here?
B: How long have I been based here?
A: Yes, that’s right. How long have you been based here?
B: I have been based here for … . / I have been based here since … .
Repeat until it feels natural.
exercise 4: one word four forms
Say a sentence for each form of the word.
It always pleases me to meet new people.
She had a very pleasant manner about her.
It is a genuine pleasure to meet you.
He introduced himself pleasantly and confidently.
Now say the tongue twister.
“It pleasantly pleases me that this pleasant meeting is such a genuine pleasure.”
“to pleasantly please with pleasant pleasure”
Say three times, faster each time.
Repeat until it feels natural.
exercise 5: natural responses (substitution drill)
Say each response until it feels natural.
What a small world!
Funny you should mention that!
That’s quite a coincidence!
I know exactly what you mean.
I couldn’t agree more!
I was thinking the same thing!
Now say the response dialogue.
A: I’m from London originally!
B: That’s quite a coincidence! So am I!
A: I find the weather here quite extreme!
B: I know exactly what you mean! I was thinking the same thing!
A: I think this city has so much to offer!
B: I couldn’t agree more! It’s been an incredible experience!
A: I actually know Claudia from Rome!
B: What a small world! I know her too!
A: I heard there is a wonderful café nearby!
B: Funny you should mention that! I was just thinking the same thing!
