What's Your Name? ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 0C · Unit 2Starter · Ages 4–6

What's Your Name?

This introductions ESL lesson practises 'What's your name?' and 'My name is...' with preschool learners. Children sing, decorate a name tag and join a Name Train that gives everyone repeated speaking practice. They create paper-bag puppets and use them to introduce themselves and share something they like.

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Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Starter

Age group

Ages 4–6

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Learn to ask and answer 'What's your name?'
• Create personalised name tags
• Build social confidence introducing themselves
• Reuse phrases in a playful puppet context
• Practise pair conversations
• Build listening skills through songs

Lesson flow

Children sing a name song, then make and decorate a name tag while practising 'Hello! My name is ___,' building a 'name train' where each child adds their name to the line. The second lesson has children build a paper-bag puppet, introduce it in pairs ('What's your name?' / 'My name is Lulu!'), and share a circle story where puppets say their name and something they like.

Target language

  • • 'What's your name?'
  • • 'My name is...'
  • • 'Hello!'
  • • Simple present ('I like...')

Key vocabulary

  • name
  • I am
  • my name is
  • nice to meet you
  • introduce
  • spell
  • letter

Speaking questions students answer

  • • What's your name?
  • • What is your puppet's name?
  • • Can you introduce yourself?
  • • What do you like?
  • • Who is this?

Recommended teaching contexts

• Starter ESL and EFL classes• Ages 4–6• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching greetings vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Ask and answer 'What's your name?', make and decorate a name tag, introduce themselves through a puppet. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "What's your name?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

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