Business English: Small Talk and Networking
Small talk and networking is the B1–B2 professional-relationship skill that turns first meetings into ongoing connections. The worksheet covers networking conversation openers (How’s your conference going? What brings you here?), follow-ups that show interest (Tell me more about that, how did that come about?), graceful transitions (Lovely to meet you — I should let you mingle), and follow-up phrases for after the event (It was great to meet you, I’d love to continue the conversation).
This worksheet builds B1–B2 fluency with networking and small-talk skills.
Worksheet preview
What’s inside:
- A phrase bank organised by networking phase (open, develop, transition, follow up)
- Role-play scenarios: networking at a conference, workplace event, after-work drinks
- Topic-suitability sort: professional small talk vs over-personal
- Card-exchange protocol practice
- Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes
Common challenges: Calibrating professional intimacy at B1–B2 — networking is friendly but not intimate. Asking follow-ups that show genuine interest: what attracted you to that field? Polite exit: I should circulate, I won’t keep you.
For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1–B2, in intermediate and upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly professionals. Maps onto BEC Vantage. Part of the Networking & Communication collection — the natural next step is Telephone Phrases.
