Introduction

Introducing oneself is a crucial life skill that students will use countless times throughout their lives, whether in school, at work, or in social situations. By teaching middle schoolers how to confidently introduce themselves to adults, you’re empowering them with the tools they need to make positive first impressions and build lasting connections. This blog post will provide you with a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help students learn how to introduce themselves effectively.

No-Prep Activity

For this activity, you don’t need any materials or preparation. Simply ask your students to form pairs. In each pair, one student will play the role of an adult, such as a teacher, coach, or supervisor, while the other student will be themselves. The adult will initiate the conversation by stating their name and role, and the student will then introduce themselves using the following steps:

1. Say your name
2. Find out the other person’s name
3. Repeat their name to help you remember
4. Say “Nice to meet you”
5. Shake hands

After practicing the introduction, the students will switch roles and repeat the process. Encourage the students to pay attention to their tone of voice, posture, and eye contact, as these elements contribute to an effective introduction.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to make a good first impression when introducing yourself to someone new?
2. How can repeating someone’s name help you remember it better?
3. What are some other polite expressions or gestures you can use when meeting someone for the first time?
4. How can body language, such as posture and eye contact, affect the way others perceive you during an introduction?
5. Can you think of a situation where you had to introduce yourself to an adult? How did you feel, and what steps did you take to make a good impression?

Related Skills

Beyond introducing themselves, students can benefit from developing other related social-emotional skills, including:

• Active listening: Demonstrating genuine interest in what others are saying, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy
• Effective communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly, concisely, and respectfully
• Assertiveness: Standing up for oneself in a respectful and non-aggressive manner
• Conflict resolution: Identifying and addressing issues or disagreements in a constructive and collaborative way

Next Steps

Teaching middle school students the art of introducing themselves is just the beginning. To further enhance their social-emotional learning, consider exploring additional resources and activities. To get started, sign up for free samples of skill-based lessons and activities from Everyday Speech. These materials will provide you with even more tools to support your students’ growth in various aspects of their social-emotional development.