Where are you from? What do you do?

What do you do? is not about today: it asks about your job or studies.

After names, the next questions in a first conversation are usually about where you are from and what you do. These questions are friendly. They give both people something to talk about. This unit teaches how to ask and answer them, and how to keep the talk going with one more question.

Where are you from?

The usual question is Where are you from? The answer uses a country, a city, or both: I’m from Korea. I’m from Busan, in Korea. You can also use the nationality word: I’m Korean. Notice the small difference: from goes with the country (from Korea), and the nationality word stands alone (I’m Korean). Do not say I’m from Korean.

If you live somewhere different from where you grew up, say both: I’m from Daegu, but I live in Seoul now. Where do you live? asks about your home today. If the other person names a place you do not know, a friendly follow-up is Oh, where is that? or What is it like there?

What do you do?

What do you do? means what is your job. It is one of the most common questions when adults meet. Answer with I’m a and the job: I’m a nurse. I’m an engineer. Use an before a vowel sound: an engineer, an English teacher. You can also say where you work or what area you work in: I work for a bank. I work in marketing. In the British Council listening lesson, Peter says I work in the design team, and Carla says I’m in the marketing team.

Students answer: I’m a student. I study biology at Korea University. I’m in high school. If you are between jobs, a short honest line is fine: I’m looking for a job right now. Then ask back: How about you? or And what do you do? Asking back keeps the conversation balanced, just like with How are you?