Introducing an external consultant in a stand‑up
CEFR: B1
Read/Listen first
During a weekly stand‑up, the team lead greets a service provider joining for the first time. The lead says, “This is our external consultant for purchasing.” A teammate answers, “Nice to meet you.” The lead clarifies, “They work at a midsize firm that analyzes supplier data.” The consultant replies, “Please, call me by my first name.” The lead quickly summarizes goals: confirm scope, agree on deadlines, and map data sources. Team members introduce their responsibilities and share a few practical constraints. The consultant asks for examples of recent orders and any issues with delivery times. The lead points to a screen with a timeline and invites questions. The group agrees to use clear, polite phrases in emails and meetings. The conversation ends with a brief recap and an invitation to join the next session for a deeper review. The language stays polite and clear, with direct phrases for roles, workplaces, and greetings.⚡ Learning goals
- Introduce a colleague politely in a professional setting
- Say where someone works using a simple pattern
- Invite others to use informal address when appropriate
✨ Key language
- This is our new colleague “This is our new colleague from support.”
- They work at “They work at a partner company.”
- Please, call me by my first name “Please, call me by my first name.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ This is + role/title
Rule: Use “This is …” to introduce someone politely by role or title.Examples: This is our new colleague from support.; This is the project coordinator.; This is the supervisor on duty.
Common pitfall + fix: Using only a name when roles matter — Add a short role after “This is …”.
Choose the best introduction
Tip: Prefer the formula with “This is …”
Fill with the best answer: This __ our new colleague.
Tip: Use the exact phrase as in the example.
2️⃣ He/She/They work at + company type
Rule: Say where someone works using “work at”. Use “They” as a polite singular if needed.Examples: They work at a partner company.; She works at a software company.; He works at a logistics firm.
Common pitfall + fix: Using on/in with work — Use “work at” before the place or type.
Pick the correct preposition
Tip: Only “work at” fits here.
Fill with the best answer: They ____ at a partner company.
Tip: Use the exact phrase as in the example.
3️⃣ Nice to meet you
Rule: Use this fixed phrase the first time you meet someone.Examples: Nice to meet you.; Nice to meet you, too.; It’s nice to meet you.
Common pitfall + fix: Dropping “to” — Keep the full phrase “to meet”.
Choose the complete phrase
Tip: Use the fixed expression.
Fill with the best answer: _______ to meet you.
Tip: Use the exact phrase as in the example.
4️⃣ Please, call me by my first name
Rule: Invite others to use an informal form of address.Examples: Please, call me by my first name.; Please, call me by my title if needed.; Informal is fine today.
Common pitfall + fix: Saying “Call me I” — Use object pronoun “me” after call.
What is polite and correct?
Tip: Mind the pronoun.
Fill with the best answer: Please, call ___ by my first name.
Tip: Use the exact phrase as in the example.
✍️ Vocabulary
consultant
Meaning: an external professional who advisesSynonyms: advisor, specialist
Chunk/Idiom: external consultant
Example: This is our external consultant.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the word aloud, then write a sentence using it.
deadline
Meaning: a time or date when something must be finishedSynonyms: due date, cutoff
Chunk/Idiom: agree on a deadline
Example: Can we agree on a deadline?
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the word aloud, then write a sentence using it.
scope
Meaning: the extent of work to be doneSynonyms: extent, range
Chunk/Idiom: define the scope
Example: Let’s define the scope first.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the word aloud, then write a sentence using it.
timeline
Meaning: a plan that shows datesSynonyms: roadmap, schedule
Chunk/Idiom: share the timeline
Example: I’ll share the timeline now.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the word aloud, then write a sentence using it.
supplier
Meaning: a company that provides goodsSynonyms: vendor, provider
Chunk/Idiom: supplier data
Example: We analyze supplier data.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the word aloud, then write a sentence using it.
data
Meaning: facts or information for analysisSynonyms: information, facts
Chunk/Idiom: analyze data
Example: We store data securely.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the word aloud, then write a sentence using it.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
This is our new colleague from support.
They work at a partner company.
Nice to meet you.
Please, call me by my first name.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the best phrase to introduce someone:
Tip: Start with “This is …”.
Complete the idea about workplace:
Tip: Use “work at”.
Fill with the best answer:
________, ________ ________ ________.Tip: A polite greeting often used in first meetings.
Fill with the best answer:
________, ________ ________ ________ ________ ________.Tip: Invite others to use an informal form of address.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word matches: “ID card used for access”?
Tip: Think of the object used at turnstiles.
Which role matches “external professional who advises”?
Tip: The role often joins for advice, not full‑time work.
Fill with the best answer:
Let’s ________ ________ ________ before we start.Tip: Three words, starting with “define”.
Fill with the best answer:
I will ________ ________ ________ after the meeting.Tip: Three words, starting with “share”.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Could you meet our new colleague from support?B: Nice to meet you. Do you prefer formal or informal address?
A: Informal is fine. Please, call me by my first name.
Why this matters:
Clear introductions help teams work together. Polite phrases reduce confusion. Roles and workplaces set the context for tasks.Verb & Adjective Pack:
introduce — Introduce a colleague before the meeting.clarify — Clarify where the person works.
schedule — Schedule a quick tour.
polite — Use polite phrases at first.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: This is our new colleague from ________.
Tip: Use a department like “logistics”.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: Please call I by my first name
Tip: Start with “Please,” then the verb.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
They work at a partner company
Tip: Use the preposition “at”.