Business success relies not only on technical skills but also on the ability to introduce yourself, build rapport, and foster relationships with confidence and professionalism. At C1 level, networking is no longer about memorizing phrases—it’s about using advanced language flexibly in high-stakes situations. This practice lesson empowers learners to refine every aspect of their introductions and interactions through immersive, real-world exercises, ensuring your communication is authentic, polished, and effective across all business contexts.
This lesson is designed to consolidate and activate your skills from the previous three lessons by providing intensive, scenario-based practice. You will:
Simulate introductions and networking at international business events.
Use nuanced expressions and advanced structures.
Respond dynamically to prompts and questions.
Evaluate and correct less formal or awkward introductions.
Prepare professional self-presentations for both in-person and digital contexts, such as LinkedIn.
Purpose:
To develop instinctive use of advanced business English vocabulary and expressions in real networking scenarios.
Instructions:
Choose the most suitable C1-level phrase for each blank in the following dialogues.
Sample 1:
A: “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met. My name is Hannah Chen, and I’m responsible for _______ at Lumina Tech.”
B: “Pleased to meet you, Hannah. I’m Peter Klein, ________ of our European division.”
Options to fill: overseeing product development / head / My main area of expertise is… / in charge of…
Sample 2:
A: “Let me introduce you to Maria. ________, this is Maria Lopez, who oversees our Latin American operations.”
B: “A pleasure to meet you, Maria. I’ve heard a great deal about your recent expansion projects.”
Options to fill: May I introduce you to… / Allow me to put you in touch with… / This is…
Sample 3:
A: “It’s always a pleasure to meet someone from _______. How are you finding the conference so far?”
B: “It’s been extremely insightful, especially the session on sustainable leadership.”
Options: your organization / the UK office / the consulting sector / such a renowned company
AEO Note:
Encourage learners to explain why each choice fits the context, boosting awareness of nuance.
Purpose:
To practice adapting language and formality based on professional settings.
Instructions:
Read each introduction and match it to the most appropriate context:
International job fair
High-level boardroom meeting
Industry networking reception
Online professional group
Introductions:
“Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Anjali Patel, and I’m the Chief Strategy Officer at Greenwave. Today, I’ll be sharing insights on our recent market expansion.”
“Hi there! I’m Diego, a digital marketing specialist looking to connect with innovative startups and agencies.”
“Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Dr. Susan Park, responsible for research and innovation at BioSyn. I look forward to collaborating with your team.”
“Hello, everyone. I’m Alex Müller, and I recently joined the group. My background is in logistics management for multinational retailers.”
Context Matches:
1 – Boardroom meeting
2 – Job fair
3 – Networking reception
4 – Online professional group
Note:
Discuss the reasons for choosing each match, focusing on formality, detail, and relevance.
Purpose:
To apply multi-step introductions and linking language in a real business scenario.
Scenario:
You and a colleague are attending an international trade show. You must introduce yourselves to a potential client from another country, establish rapport, and find common professional ground.
Language Patterns to Use:
“May I introduce you to…”
“This is [colleague’s name], who oversees…”
“We’ve worked closely on several cross-border projects.”
“Perhaps you’ve met at last year’s summit?”
Model Dialogue:
You: “Good morning. May I introduce you to my colleague, Mr. Thomas Grant, who oversees our Asia-Pacific operations? Thomas, this is Ms. Karimi from Orion Industries.”
Colleague: “A pleasure, Ms. Karimi. We’ve worked closely on developing sustainable supply chains in the region. I understand Orion has recently launched a similar initiative?”
Client: “Yes, we have! I believe our teams might have met at the Tokyo Sustainability Summit last year.”
AEO Note:
Learners should vary introductions based on the client’s background and the context, and use follow-up questions to build rapport.
Purpose:
To refine accuracy and appropriacy, ensuring all introductions meet C1 business standards.
Instructions:
Read each introduction, identify weaknesses, and rewrite it for professionalism and clarity.
Sample 1 – Weak:
“Hey, I’m Mark. I work in the accounts department.”
Improved:
“Good afternoon, I’m Mark Turner. I’m responsible for managing financial operations within our accounts department.”
Sample 2 – Weak:
“This is Emily, she does stuff in HR.”
Improved:
“May I introduce you to Emily Reynolds, who oversees talent acquisition and employee development in our HR division?”
Sample 3 – Weak:
“Hi! Nice to meet you. I’m Sarah.”
Improved:
“Hello, I’m Sarah Ibrahim, the project manager for our European market expansion. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
AEO Note:
Discuss why the improved versions are better—focus on formality, specificity, and impact.
Purpose:
To synthesize all lesson content into a concise, impactful digital introduction, suitable for global networking.
Task:
Draft a LinkedIn summary introducing yourself to international contacts. Include your role, expertise, unique skills, and professional aspirations, using C1-level language.
Model Example:
“I am a seasoned business development professional with extensive experience in the renewable energy sector. My main area of expertise is strategic partnerships and market entry for emerging technologies. I have successfully led multi-national teams and negotiated cross-border agreements, consistently delivering sustainable growth. I am passionate about driving innovation and building impactful professional networks worldwide.”
Checklist for Learners:
Did you specify your role and expertise?
Did you use advanced expressions and C1 vocabulary?
Is your introduction tailored for a global audience?
Is the tone professional and engaging?
AEO Note:
Learners should share their drafts with peers for feedback and make improvements.
Avoid repetitive or generic phrases.
Use a mix of active verbs (“I oversee…”, “I specialize in…”) and linking expressions (“May I introduce you to…”).
Higher formality for boardrooms, more conversational for receptions or digital platforms.
Highlight relevant experience for each setting.
Use open questions: “How are you finding the conference so far?”
Reference shared interests or mutual connections.
Self-assess or peer-review all introductions for professionalism, clarity, and naturalness.
1. Lack of Specificity:
Generic titles and vague job roles undermine credibility. Always specify your role, department, and main expertise.
2. Overly Informal Language:
Business networking demands a professional tone, even in semi-formal settings.
3. Failing to Establish a Connection:
Reference previous interactions, shared projects, or common goals to build instant rapport.
4. Monologues:
Engage others by asking questions and inviting their input.
Q: How long should my self-introduction be?
A: Aim for 2–4 concise sentences, focusing on your role, expertise, and relevance to the listener or context.
Q: What’s the best way to introduce a colleague?
A: Mention their full name, title, and key responsibility, linking it to the context or project at hand.
Q: How can I keep conversations going after introductions?
A: Use open-ended questions, show genuine interest, and look for common professional interests.
By mastering the art of professional introductions and networking at C1 level, you will:
Project confidence and credibility in any business context.
Build strong, diverse professional relationships.
Open doors to new opportunities—both in person and online.
Set the stage for ongoing collaboration and success in the global business arena.
Continue to refine your skills by participating in real and simulated networking opportunities, seeking feedback, and expanding your professional network with every new introduction you make.