Introducing yourself at school orientation
A real situation from the OGIMA community · Everyday Life
The scene
Rows of plastic chairs, a slide projected on the front wall, and the teacher has just asked each new student to stand up and say their name and one hobby. Your turn's in six people and you're deciding between 'I like to read' and something less boring.
Why this moment is tricky in Germany
German school orientations favor brief, factual self-intros — name, level, one interest. US 'fun fact' expectations feel performative to German teachers; overshooting with personality reads as trying too hard rather than friendly.
Rehearse it before it happens
This situation is practised out loud in OGIMA: you speak, an AI conversation partner answers back, and you rerun it until the real thing feels routine.
Prefer to read first? Our guide covers this territory: How to Practice Speaking German