Practise strategic introductions, insightful questions, rapport-building, and a graceful close in a realistic conference setting.
Lesson preview
What learners will do
Learn advanced networking vocabulary and polished conference language.
Practise value propositions, objection handling, and follow-up moves.
Complete a B2 role play between a founder and a potential enterprise client.
B2 speakingBusiness English~40 minutes
Discuss with your partner:
1. What distinguishes a high-quality professional connection from a superficial one? How do you tell the difference in the first five minutes?
2. How do you gracefully exit a conversation at a networking event when you want to move on?
3. What are the cultural differences in networking between English-speaking countries and your own? How might this affect your approach?
Teacher note: At B2, move beyond the mechanics of introduction to strategic communication: value articulation, active listening signals, pivoting topics, managing awkward silences, and the graceful exit. Focus on register flexibility — knowing when to be formal vs. conversational.
Today's scenario — a high-profile industry conference: Future of Work Summit, London:
Student A — Dr. Priya Mehta
Head of People & Culture at a FTSE 250 firm. Expert in organisational psychology and hybrid work strategy. Here to find research partners and explore speaking opportunities at similar events.
Student B — Tom Ashworth
Founder of a HR-tech startup. Built an AI-powered employee engagement platform. Actively seeking enterprise clients and strategic advisors. Has heard of Priya's firm and considers it a target client.
Click a word from the box, then click a blank. Hover for definitions.
Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.
10 min
Stage 3 — Functional language
Sophisticated networking language
8 minutes · Study and practise
8 min
Stage 4 — Language in use
B2 networking language drill
10 minutes · Multiple choice
10 min
Stage 5 — Role play
The conference conversation
12 minutes · Pair work
How to use: Student A = Dr. Priya Mehta (potential client). Student B = Tom Ashworth (founder, wants Priya as a client). Tom must build rapport, articulate value, handle objections, and close for a follow-up — without being pushy. Priya must be interested but discerning.
