English · B2 · Speaking · about 5 min
Nail the first 60 seconds: greeting, who you are, purpose, structure, timing, questions.
Oksana is presenting quarterly results to forty colleagues from three offices, some in the room and some online. The first minute decides whether people listen. A classic English opening has six moves: greet and thank, introduce yourself, state the purpose, outline the structure, say how long it will take, and explain how questions will work. Signposting language makes you sound prepared even when you're nervous.
MomentYou greet and thank the audience.
Say thisGood morning, everyone, and thanks for joining.
WhyGreeting + 'thanks for joining' — works in the room and online.
MomentYou introduce yourself.
Say thisFor those who don't know me, I'm Oksana, and I lead the data team.
Why'For those who don't know me' — a relative clause that avoids assuming.
MomentYou state the purpose.
Say thisToday I'm going to walk you through our results for the third quarter.
Why'I'm going to walk you through …' — explain step by step.
MomentYou outline the structure.
Say thisI've divided my talk into three parts.
WhyPresent perfect: preparation already done.
MomentYou give the timing.
Say thisIt should take about twenty minutes.
Why'Should' = expected duration.
MomentYou set the rules for questions.
Say thisFeel free to stop me if anything's unclear, but I'll leave time for questions at the end.
Why'Feel free to + verb' — a friendly invitation with a clear plan.
| Moment | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You greet and thank the audience. | Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining. | Greeting + 'thanks for joining' — works in the room and online. |
| You introduce yourself. | For those who don't know me, I'm Oksana, and I lead the data team. | 'For those who don't know me' — a relative clause that avoids assuming. |
| You state the purpose. | Today I'm going to walk you through our results for the third quarter. | 'I'm going to walk you through …' — explain step by step. |
| You outline the structure. | I've divided my talk into three parts. |
‘For those who don't know me’ — a relative clause that avoids assuming everyone knows you. ‘I'm going to + verb’ announces a plan. ‘Walk someone through something’ = explain step by step. Present perfect ‘I've divided’ describes preparation already done. ‘Should’ expresses expectation (‘It should take …’). ‘Feel free to + verb’ is an informal invitation.
Memorise your first three sentences word for word — nerves are worst at the start. Look at the audience, not the slide, while you deliver the outline. For hybrid audiences, greet the online group explicitly.
Related topics: /topics/english/b2/meetings/disagreeing-politely, /topics/english/c1/arguments/qualifying-a-claim. To keep going, continue with the English course on MyAnya.
Greet and thank, introduce yourself with for those who don't know me, state the purpose with walk you through, outline the parts, give the timing with should, and set question rules with feel free.
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The room goes quiet. What's your first line?
Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining.
Greeting + 'thanks for joining' — works in the room and online.
Forty people are waiting, some on video.
For those who don't know me, I'm Oksana, and I lead the data team.
'For those who don't know me' — a relative clause that avoids assuming.
Colleagues from other offices have never met her.
Today I'm going to walk you through our results for the third quarter.
'I'm going to walk you through …' — explain step by step.
The audience needs to know why they're here.
I've divided my talk into three parts.
Present perfect: preparation already done.
A clear map helps people follow.
It should take about twenty minutes.
'Should' = expected duration.
People have another meeting after this one.
Feel free to stop me if anything's unclear, but I'll leave time for questions at the end.
'Feel free to + verb' — a friendly invitation with a clear plan.
She prefers questions at the end but allows quick ones.
| Present perfect: preparation already done. |
| You give the timing. | It should take about twenty minutes. | 'Should' = expected duration. |
| You set the rules for questions. | Feel free to stop me if anything's unclear, but I'll leave time for questions at the end. | 'Feel free to + verb' — a friendly invitation with a clear plan. |