Talking about where you're from

In this video, Emir and Vanya learn more about each other. Listen to the language they use for talking about where they're from and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you talk about where you're from? Listen out for useful language for talking about where you're from. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Emir: So where are you from, Vanya? 

Vanya: I was born in Cambridge, but I live in Glasgow.

Emir: I've never been to Glasgow. What's it like? 

Vanya: Oh, it's wonderful. There's always something interesting to do and the people are really friendly.

Emir: It sounds like a nice place to live. 

Vanya: It is. I love it. What about you? Where are you from in Turkey?

Emir: I'm from Istanbul. 

Vanya: Oh, I love Istanbul! I went once, but a long time ago. My favourite thing was baklava. I really, really love baklava!

Emir: Today's your lucky day, Vanya. I made it myself!

Vanya: Oh! These look delicious.

Yuna: Hi.

Vanya: Hi, Yuna!

Yuna: Can I?

Emir: Of course!

Yuna: Emir's baklava is the best. Thank you!

Emir: You're welcome. 

Vanya: I love this place!

 

Ana: Hello again! Mmm, that baklava looks delicious! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for talking about where you're from? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

Where are you from?

I was born in London.

I live in Glasgow now.

What's it like?

It sounds like a nice place to live.

What about you?

I'm from Istanbul.

I love Istanbul.

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you talk about where you're from in English. Bye for now! 

Discussion

Download
Worksheet119.68 KB

Language level

Average: 4.1 (70 votes)

Submitted by Suraj paliwal on Mon, 29/11/2021 - 10:42

Permalink

I was born in a district in India. I don't like this place. People are not very good . Security of people is very dangerous in this place. I don't want to live in ever more.

Submitted by Anwar68 on Sat, 27/11/2021 - 16:32

Permalink

what's the difference between these phrases
I've never been to Glasgow.
I don't ever go to Glasgow.
regards

Hello Anwar68,

'I've never been to Glasgow' describes all of the speaker's life up to the moment in speaking. It doesn't tell us anything about the present or the future. You could even say this when you are in Glasgow with the sense of '...until now'. The verb form here is present perfect.

'I don't ever go to Glasgow' is a general statement which tells us about the speaker's behaviour without reference to time. This is something which is generally true and which we can assume will remain true in the future. The verb form here is present simple.

Peter
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by BabyD on Tue, 26/10/2021 - 13:07

Permalink

Hello every, my name is BabyD, I was born Viet Nam, I live in Buon Ma Thuot City. In my opinion, it is a nice place to live, people here are friendly, traffic is not bad and it has many beautiful spots, too.

Submitted by LamVanPhuong on Wed, 20/10/2021 - 12:04

Permalink

Hi, i am from VIETNAM, i was born in Ho Chi Minh city but now i am living in Tra Vinh province, this place just a small town but quite modern and the people here are very friendly and kind.

Profile picture for user MonicaJ

Submitted by MonicaJ on Sat, 16/10/2021 - 08:57

Permalink

I am from Colombia. I was born in Bogota city, but I love Bucaramanga city. It is a wonderful place to travel and live, the people are so lovely and warm, the weather is perfect, and this place has a lot of natural parks, and the streets are beautiful. Oh, the food is delicious. I am exacting to remember Bucaramanga. It is the best place in Colombia.

Profile picture for user YinLiXing

Submitted by YinLiXing on Sat, 11/09/2021 - 01:49

Permalink
I’m from Lashio, Myanmar. This is a small city.

Submitted by DzanaP on Fri, 27/08/2021 - 23:22

Permalink
I was born in Bosnia, but I live in Norway now. It's a beautiful country and people are friendly.

Submitted by Emily Mellor on Sat, 17/07/2021 - 15:00

Permalink
I'm from Myanmar. It's wonderful and people are friendly. There is always something interesting to do. But now it's not a nice place to live due to some political problems.

Submitted by KATIELLE RAIAN… on Mon, 12/07/2021 - 16:35

Permalink
I am from Brazil. The weather in Brazil is wonderful! The sun shines in the sky every day, people are so funny