Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson plan for English teachers is perfect for a B2 ESL class on professional networking. This class material helps students build confidence in making connections with vocabulary, grammar, a listening exercise, and speaking activities.
This practical lesson plan equips students with the language and confidence for professional networking events. It starts with a warm-up discussion and vocabulary building. Students then listen to an expert give networking tips before diving into the grammar of polite, indirect questions. A reading task reinforces the language in context, leading to a final role-play activity where students practice starting, maintaining, and politely ending conversations at a simulated conference mixer.
Activities
- Students start by discussing their views on networking and then match key vocabulary like "elevator pitch" and "build rapport" to their definitions. This builds a strong foundation for understanding professional communication and social etiquette.
- The lesson includes a listening gap-fill exercise based on an audio clip of a professional giving networking advice. This is followed by a grammar focus on forming polite, indirect questions, which is a crucial skill for professional settings.
- After a reading comprehension exercise, the lesson culminates in a dynamic role-play. Students use a list of useful phrases to practice their new skills by mingling at a fictional conference, making connections, and exchanging information.
Vocabulary focus
This lesson focuses on essential vocabulary for professional networking. Students will learn and practice terms such as "elevator pitch," "build rapport," "follow up," "break the ice," "mingle," and "make an impression." The activities ensure students can use these phrases confidently in professional social settings.
Grammar focus
The grammar section concentrates on forming polite and indirect questions to avoid sounding too direct in professional situations. Students learn to transform direct questions into softer forms like "Could you tell me..." or "I was wondering if...", mastering the change in word order for more diplomatic communication.
