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Lesson
B2ENThe Art of Networking: Present Perfect and Professional Introductions
Work the room, make the right impression, and leave with contacts that matter. Master present perfect for professional experience, networking phrases, and the art of the strategic conversation. A practical B2 English lesson on present perfect, networking vocabulary, and building professional relationships. Ideal for adult learners, English tutors, and language schools.
How this lesson works
Students participate
Students interact directly with the lesson — responding, speaking, solving tasks, making decisions and joining activities.
You see what is happening
See student responses, answers, mistakes and activity in real time where supported.
You guide the experience
Guide the lesson, manage activities and timing, and respond to what students are doing where supported.
Everyone participates
Students actively contribute and interact instead of simply consuming lesson content.
What Nobody Tells You About Networking. Content Block
Content Block
Most people hate networking. A Harvard study found that professional networking makes people feel physically dirty — participants who networked for career reasons were more likely to want to wash their hands afterwards than those who networked out of genuine curiosity. Yet the same research shows that 85% of jobs are filled through personal connections, not applications. The problem is not networking itself — it is how people do it. The biggest mistake is treating networking as selling. Walking up to someone and immediately talking about your company, your product, or your needs is the fastest way to be forgotten — or avoided. The best networkers do the opposite: they ask questions, they listen, and they look for ways to help the other person first. Keith Ferrazzi, author of "Never Eat Alone," says the key to networking is generosity. Give before you ask. Connect people who should know each other. Share useful information. The relationship comes first — the business comes later, naturally. Another common mistake is collecting business cards without follow-up. Research shows that if you don't contact someone within 48 hours of meeting them, the connection is essentially lost. A short message — "Great to meet you at the conference, I enjoyed our conversation about X" — turns a stranger into a contact. The best networkers also know when to leave a conversation. Staying too long with one person means missing everyone else. The trick is to end gracefully: "It's been great talking to you — I'd love to continue this over coffee sometime. Can I send you an email?" Then move on.
Discussion questions
- Do you enjoy networking, or does it feel uncomfortable? Why?
- Have you ever got a job, a client, or an opportunity through someone you met at an event?
- What is the difference between genuine networking and just using people for your career?
Networking and Professional Relationship Vocabulary. Taboo
Taboo
Network
- connect
- people
- business
- contacts
- professional
Follow up
- after
- meeting
- message
- contact
Elevator pitch
- short
- introduce
- seconds
- sell
- yourself
Business card
- name
- number
- paper
- give
- contact
Rapport
- trust
- relationship
- connection
- comfortable
- like
Referral
- recommend
- someone
- introduce
- suggest
- send
LinkedIn
- social
- media
- profile
- online
- professional
Mutual contact
- both
- know
- same
- person
- shared
Small talk
- weather
- chat
- casual
- conversation
- light
Conference
- event
- big
- speakers
- industry
- attend
Lesson Board
Lesson Board
The Networking Conversation. Word Choice
Word Choice
- I 've workedworked'm working in the pharmaceutical industry for about fifteen years now.
- AreHaveDid you ever attended this conference before?
- We 'vearewere recently partnered with a startup that does exactly what you described.
- That's interesting — how long didhaveare you been working on that project?
- I 've comecomecame across your company's name several times — you have a great reputation.
- Actually, I 've spoken'm speakingspoke to your CEO at a conference in Berlin last year.
- We wereare've been looking for a partner with your kind of expertise — would you be open to a conversation?
- I hadwashave to say, your presentation this morning was really impressive.
- How long hasisdid your company been operating in the European market?
- It 's beenwasis great talking to you — could I send you an email next week?
The Conference Mixer. Roleplay Quest
Roleplay Quest
Scenario
You are at a drinks reception after a major industry conference. There are 200 people in the room. You have 90 minutes to meet the right people, make a good impression, and exchange contacts. Start conversations, find common ground, and exit gracefully when it's time to move on.
The Startup Founder
You launched a B2B software company 18 months ago. You need investors and clients. You have a great product but nobody knows your name yet.
Secret goal: Your goal: find someone who could become an investor, a client, or a strategic partner. You've rehearsed your elevator pitch but it sounds robotic. Try to be natural. Ask about the other person first — don't pitch immediately. Use present perfect: "We've developed...", "I've been working on..."
The Corporate Director
You run business development at a large company. You're not looking for anything specific tonight — you're just here to stay visible and see what's new in the industry.
Secret goal: Your goal: have interesting conversations and collect three contacts worth following up. You've attended this conference five times and know many people here. Be generous — introduce people to each other. If someone pitches too hard, find a way to redirect politely.
The Job Seeker
You were laid off two months ago. You're at this conference to meet people, not to hand out CVs. You've been told that networking is more effective than applications but you feel uncomfortable.
Secret goal: Your goal: talk to at least three people without directly saying "I'm looking for a job." Instead, talk about your experience and interests. If someone asks what you do, say "I've been exploring some new directions after ten years in [industry]." See if opportunities come up naturally.
The Industry Expert
You are a well-known speaker and consultant. You gave a talk at the conference today. People keep approaching you but most of them just want something from you. You're tired of one-sided conversations.
Secret goal: Your goal: find someone genuinely interesting — not just another person who wants free advice. If someone only talks about themselves, exit politely. If someone asks good questions and listens, give them your real email, not your generic contact form.
Networking Adventures. Drama Event
Drama Event
Scenario
The conference mixer is in full swing. You've had a few conversations, you're starting to relax. But networking events are full of surprises...
- 🎲
wordlist
What a coincidence — I've actually heard of your work! I'd love to continue this conversation — could I get your card? Sorry, I didn't catch your name — could you say it again? It's been great talking to you — I hope we can stay in touch. I'm not sure I'm the right person, but I know someone who might be able to help. That's a really interesting question — let me think about that. Actually, I think we might have a mutual contact... I appreciate the offer, but I'd need to think it over first.
- 🧭
Opportunity
You overhear two people talking about a project that is exactly what your company does. They seem frustrated because they can't find the right partner. How do you enter the conversation without being pushy?
- 🔄
Twist
You introduce yourself to someone and halfway through they say: "Actually, we've met before — at a conference in Vienna two years ago. You don't remember me, do you?" You have absolutely no memory of them. What do you say?
- 🧠
Revelation
The person you've been having the best conversation of the evening with casually mentions they are the CEO of a company you applied to last month — and never heard back. Do you mention your application?
- ⏱
Pressure
A very senior person gives you their card and says: "Email me tomorrow — I think we should talk." You realise you have nothing to offer them right now. What do you write in that email?
- 🧨
Crisis
You accidentally spill red wine on someone's white shirt while gesturing during a conversation. They are clearly important. Everyone nearby is watching. What do you say and do?
- 🔄
Twist
Someone you've been networking with for 20 minutes turns out to be a competitor. They've been asking very specific questions about your company's strategy. You realise they've learned more from you than you have from them. How do you handle it?
- 🚧
Constraint
Your phone dies and you can't exchange contact details digitally. You have no business cards. The person you just had a brilliant conversation with is about to leave. How do you make sure you don't lose this connection?
- 🧭
Opportunity
A keynote speaker is standing alone at the bar looking tired. Everyone else is avoiding them because they seem unapproachable. You have 60 seconds before their colleague arrives. What do you say?
- 🎲
settings
- 🎲
settings
Why Edugine?
Turn your lessons into experiences.
Edugine helps tutors create and run live learning experiences where students actively participate, interact and collaborate — while tutors see what students are doing and guide the lesson in real time.