ESL CONNECT - Professional Networking

Section 1

Stage 1 — Warm-up

Networking at a professional event

5 minutes · Discussion and context

Stock photo of professionals networking at a business event

Lesson preview

Introduce yourself, build connections, and arrange a follow-up

This lesson helps learners practise professional introductions, follow-up questions, and natural networking conversations in English. The first page now includes a more polished visual preview to set the scene.

B1CEFR level

40 minInteractive lesson

6 stagesPractice flow

Discuss with your partner:

1. What is the purpose of a networking event? What do people hope to achieve?

2. Have you ever had to introduce yourself professionally in English? What did you find difficult?

3. What is the difference between small talk and a professional conversation? When does one become the other?

Teacher note: Introduce the concept of the "elevator pitch" — a 30-second description of who you are and what you do. B1 students should move beyond "I am a teacher" to "I work in education — I specialise in adult language learning." Focus on follow-up questions that show genuine interest.

Today's scenario — a business networking evening at The Innovation Hub, Manchester:

Student A — Jamie

Marketing Manager at a digital agency. Specialises in social media campaigns for retail clients. Looking to connect with potential new clients or collaborators in the tech sector.

Student B — Morgan

Product Designer at a software startup. Works on UX for mobile apps. Interested in finding marketing support for the startup's new product launch next quarter.

Business EnglishElevator pitchFollow-up

5 min

Stage 2 — Vocabulary

Key networking vocabulary

10 minutes · Gap-fill exercise

Click a word from the box, then click a blank. Hover for definitions.

collaborate

specialism

pitch

follow up

sector

portfolio

lead

launch

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.

We are looking for a design agency to with on the new product campaign.

My is social media marketing for retail brands.

She gave a great thirty-second — everyone in the room was interested in her work.

I will with an email tomorrow and send you the information we discussed.

We are expanding into the healthcare — it is a new area for us.

I have my on my phone — would you like to see some examples of my work?

This event is a great place to find a new — there are lots of potential clients here.

The app is scheduled for next quarter, so we need marketing support now.

10 min

Stage 3 — Functional language

Phrases for professional networking

8 minutes · Study and practise

Introducing yourself professionally

I'm Jamie — I'm a marketing manager at a digital agency.

I specialise in social media campaigns for retail clients.

I've been in the industry for about five years.

I don't think we've met before — I'm Morgan.

Showing interest and asking follow-up questions

That sounds really interesting — what kind of clients do you work with?

How long have you been working in that sector?

What does your typical project look like?

I'd love to hear more about what your startup does.

Finding common ground

That's actually very relevant to what we're working on at the moment.

We've had a similar challenge — we were looking for exactly that.

It sounds like there could be some overlap between what we do.

We might actually be able to help each other.

Small talk and keeping it natural

How are you finding the event so far?

Have you been to one of these before?

I noticed you were talking to the organiser earlier — do you know him well?

The speaker earlier was really interesting, wasn't she?

Arranging a follow-up

I'd love to continue this conversation — could we set up a call next week?

Let me give you my card.

Would it be OK if I sent you an email with some more details?

I'll connect with you on LinkedIn — what's your surname?

The best networkers ask more questions than they answer. Show genuine curiosity about the other person's work — people remember those who made them feel interesting, not those who spoke most.

8 min

Stage 4 — Question forms

Networking grammar drill

10 minutes · Multiple choice

10 min

Stage 5 — Role play

The networking conversation

12 minutes · Pair work

How to use: Student A = Jamie (Marketing Manager). Student B = Morgan (Product Designer). Have a natural networking conversation — introduce yourself, find common ground, show interest, and arrange a follow-up.

Jamie — Student A

[Approach Student B at the event. Make eye contact and introduce yourself with your name and company. Use a natural opening line.]

Morgan — Student B

Great to meet you, Jamie! I'm Morgan — I'm a product designer at a software startup called Nexus. What brings you to this event tonight?

Jamie — Student A

[Say you are here to meet new people in the tech sector and find potential collaborators. Ask Morgan what Nexus does.]

Morgan — Student B

We build mobile apps — mainly productivity tools for small businesses. We've got a new product launching next quarter and we're trying to figure out the marketing strategy.

Jamie — Student A

[Show genuine interest. Say this is relevant to what you do. Give a short pitch of your specialism: social media campaigns, especially for product launches.]

Morgan — Student B

Oh, that's really interesting! We've been struggling to find the right marketing partner. What kind of clients do you normally work with?

Jamie — Student A

[Describe your typical clients: retail brands, but you are expanding into tech. Mention a brief example of a successful campaign. Ask Morgan about the target market for the new app.]

Morgan — Student B

It's aimed at freelancers and small teams — people who need simple project management without the complexity of something like Jira. Have you worked with that kind of audience before?

Jamie — Student A

[Say yes — you have worked with SaaS products and understand freelance audiences well. Find a common challenge to bond over. Suggest there might be a good fit.]

Morgan — Student B

I think so too! We should definitely talk more. Do you have a card or are you on LinkedIn?

Jamie — Student A

[Offer your card. Connect on LinkedIn. Suggest a specific follow-up: a call or coffee next week. Ask Morgan what day works best.]

Morgan — Student B

Tuesday afternoon works well for me. Shall I send you a calendar invite?

Jamie — Student A

[Agree enthusiastically. Confirm your email. Say it was great to meet them. Close the conversation warmly.]

Swap roles — use your real jobs!

This time both students use their real job (or a job they would like to have). Have a natural networking conversation for 5 minutes without looking at the script. Try to arrange a genuine follow-up.

12 min

Stage 6 — Summary

Lesson complete!

5 minutes · Review

Today's lesson

B1 — Intermediate

Professional Networking

~40 minutes

What you practised:

8 professional networking vocabulary words: specialism, collaborate, pitch, lead, launch

Functional phrases for 5 networking stages: introductions, showing interest, finding common ground, small talk, follow-up

6 grammar drills: present perfect with for, indirect questions, specialism phrases, idiomatic questions

A realistic networking role play with business context cards and a mutual opportunity

Homework ideas:

1. Write your own 30-second elevator pitch in English. Include: name, role, specialism, and one interesting fact about your work.

2. Write a short follow-up email (80-100 words) from Jamie to Morgan after the event, referencing what they discussed.

3. Research 5 questions you could ask someone at a networking event. Make them open-ended and genuine.

Great work! Networking is a skill that improves with practice. The most important thing is genuine curiosity — ask good questions and listen well.