Professional networking: making connections with polite language

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Professional networking: making connections with polite language through a real article. Across 10 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Polite and indirect questions with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for making conversation at a networking event
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness

Lesson activities (10 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
5. Grammar — Study Polite and indirect questions — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for making conversation at a networking event — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Cloze passage — Fill in blanks within a connected text to practise vocabulary in context.
9. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:

• To touch base (with someone) — to make brief contact with someone to share or get an update.
• To establish common ground — to find a shared interest, opinion, or experience with another person, which helps in building a relationship.
• A fruitful discussion — a conversation that is productive and leads to positive results or new ideas.
• To work the room — to move around a social event like a conference or party and talk to many different people in a confident and effective way.
• To get your foot in the door — to get your first opportunity to work in a particular organization or industry, which could lead to better chances later.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Polite and indirect questions.

In professional networking, direct questions can sometimes sound too abrupt or demanding. We use introductory phrases like 'Could you tell me...' or 'I was wondering...' to make our questions more polite. This structure changes the word order of the question that follows, making it similar to a statement.

Examples from the lesson:

• Could you tell me what your company specializes in? — Notice the word order changes from a direct question ('what does your company specialize in?') to a statement format ('what your company specializes in').
• I was wondering if you are attending the keynote speech tomorrow. — For yes/no questions, we use 'if' or 'whether' after the introductory phrase.
• Would you mind telling me how you got into your field of work? — This is a very polite and common way to ask for someone's professional background.

Key rules:

• Always start with an introductory phrase (e.g., 'Could you tell me...', 'I'd like to know...').
• After the phrase, use statement word order (subject + verb), not question order.
• Common mistake to avoid: 'Do you know where is the main hall?' Correct: 'Do you know where the main hall is?'

Practical English

making conversation at a networking event

At a professional conference or event, starting, maintaining, and politely ending conversations is key to making valuable connections. These phrases will help you navigate these interactions smoothly and confidently.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "'That was a fascinating talk, wasn't it?'" — to start a conversation based on a shared experience.
• "'So, what line of work are you in?'" — to politely ask about someone's profession.
• "'That sounds fascinating. It reminds me a bit of...'" — to show you're listening and to find common ground.
• "'I'd love to connect on LinkedIn if you're open to it.'" — to ask for a professional connection in a low-pressure way.
• "'Well, it's been great chatting with you. I should probably go and mingle a bit more.'" — to politely end a conversation and move on.