Summary
This 90-minute ESL lesson for B1 learners explores Professional networking: using tag questions effectively through a real article. Across 10 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.
What you'll practise:
- 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
- Grammar focus: Tag questions with examples and practice
- Real-world phrases for following up after a networking event
- Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
- Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
- Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
Lesson activities (10 exercises)
Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.
- Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
- Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
- Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
- Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
- Grammar — Study Tag questions — explanation, examples, and key rules.
- Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
- Practical English — Learn phrases for following up after a networking event — ready to use in real conversations.
- Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
- Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.
Vocabulary
This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:
- strike up a conversation — to start talking to someone you don't know, often in a friendly and confident way.
- exchange business cards — to give your professional contact card to someone and receive their card in return.
- a mutual connection — a person that you and someone else both know.
- touch base — to contact someone briefly to share updates or just to say hello.
- get your foot in the door — to get your first opportunity to work in a particular company or industry.
Grammar
This lesson focuses on Tag questions.
Tag questions are short questions we add to the end of a statement. At networking events, they are very useful for starting conversations and confirming information in a friendly, polite way.
Examples from the lesson:
- You work in the tech industry, don't you? — Use a negative tag ('don't you?') after a positive statement ('You work...').
- We haven't met before, have we? — Use a positive tag ('have we?') after a negative statement ('We haven't...').
- That was a great presentation, wasn't it? — The verb in the tag (wasn't) must match the main verb in the statement (was).
Key rules:
- A positive statement is followed by a negative tag.
- A negative statement is followed by a positive tag.
- The intonation is important: use a falling tone to confirm, and a rising tone to ask a real question.
Practical English
following up after a networking event
You've met some interesting people at an event. What's next? Sending a follow-up email or message is key to building a professional relationship. Here are some phrases to help you write a clear and effective message.
Phrases you'll learn:
- "It was great to meet you at [Event Name] last week." — to start your message and remind the person where you met.
- "I really enjoyed our conversation about [Specific Topic]." — to make your message more personal and help them remember you.
- "I was wondering if you might be free for a quick coffee sometime next week?" — to politely suggest meeting again to continue the conversation.
- "As we discussed, I'm attaching [the document] for your reference." — to follow through on something you promised during your conversation.
- "Here's that article I mentioned. Thought you might find it interesting." — to add value and be helpful without asking for anything.
