Communicative functions: Interacting with others

Using formulaic expressions

Greetings and introductions

When we meet another person we want to interact with, we greet them, eg: "Hi", "Hi"

If we meet another person for the first time, we introduce ourselves:

	Hello. I'm Clare
	Hello. You must be Naomi's sister. I'm Lara.

If there is a person who knows both of us, this person introduces us to each other.

	Hi
	Hi Lara. Lara, this is my sister Clare.

	Hello
	Hello Mrs Young. It's Lara.

Different types of greetings and introductions

The typical greeting in English is Hello. We use this greeting with the following people:

	family
	friends
	people to whom we show respect
	people whom we don't know very well

However, we also use different greetings and introductions for different people.

When we greet our family and friends, we often use informal greetings and introductions, eg hi. 

	Hi
	Hi Lara. Lara, this is my sister Clare.
	Hello Clare. How's things?

When we greet someone to whom we show respect or someone we don't know very well, we often use more formal greetings and introductions. 

	Good morning Kitty.
	Good morning Miss Lee. Miss Lee, I'd like you to meet my sister Dotty.
	Good morning Dotty. How are you?
	Good morning Miss Lee. I'm very well thank you.

Teaching activities

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in interacting with others, see: A visit to the doctor