Topic 1: Stating one's own name with "me llamo" 

• This is one of those things that is much easier if you accept it as it is in Spanish, and don't try to force a translation to English.
   
• "Me llamo" does not mean "my name". It is a verb phrase that literally means "I call myself".
   
• "Me llamo es" is incorrect and does not exist in the language. Do not use this.

Topic 1: Stating one's own name with "me llamo"

Instead, learn the construction:

• To state your own name: "Me llamo" + name
   
• Or, if you want to be really emphatic, "Yo me llamo" + name. But it's not necessary or better to do do this.

Topic 1: Asking another person's name with "te llamas" or "se llama"

"Me llamo" plus your own name answers 2 possible questions: "¿Cómo te llamas? " and/or "¿Cómo se llama usted?" (they mean the same thing--only difference is level of formality)

Use "¿Cómo te llamas?", which is informal, when talking to:

• Someone younger than you
• Someone your own age
• A classmate, unless there is a significant age difference

Use "¿Cómo se llama usted?", which is formal, when talking to:

• Someone older than you
• Anyone you'd automatically treat as "sir" or "ma'am" in English
• Your professor, your boss, any employee of a business you visit who is your age or older.

Topic 1: Asking and answering questions about names

Let's practice! (¡Practiquemos!)

Here's the question for you to ask each other:  

¿Cómo te llamas?

• How will you answer?
• Of course, you will say "Me llamo" + your own name

Here's the question for you to ask me:  

¿Cómo se llama usted?

• How do you think I will answer?

Topic 2: Asking and answering questions about how someone is feeling/doing

Here's the question for you to ask each other:  

¿Cómo estás?

• To answer, you don't even need to use a verb (not yet, anyway! That's coming later)
• Just say one of our chapter phrases for how you're feeling:
• Muy bien, gracias
• Bien, gracias
• Regular
• Mal (this really should be avoided, unless you're talking to a very good friend)

Here's the question for you to ask me:  

¿Cómo está usted?

• How do you think I will answer?

Topic 3: Introductions:

Here's what our textbook tells you to say:  

Es mi [relation to you--friend, professor, etc]. Se llama [name].

• As in: "Es mi amiga. Se llama Érica" 
• When someone is introduced to you, respond by saying:
• Mucho gusto (stays the same, regardless of your gender)
• Encantada (if you are a woman)
• Encantado (if you are a man)