Business English Classes

Course Overview - English for Small Talk and Networking.

Unit 1: First Impressions

In this unit, you’ll learn how to make first contact with colleagues, clients, or business partners. You’ll practice sending short, polite emails to arrange meetings, and how to greet people in person or on the phone. You’ll also develop small talk skills around safe topics like the weather, travel, and weekend plans—ideal for breaking the ice. By the end of the unit, you’ll be able to confidently introduce yourself, ask questions to show interest, and make a positive first impression.

Unit 2: Creating a warm Welcome

This unit prepares you to receive international visitors at your company or workplace. You’ll learn the right phrases to welcome guests, give a short introduction about your company, and make them feel comfortable. You’ll also practice offering refreshments, showing someone around the building, and introducing them to colleagues. These skills help you create a professional yet friendly atmosphere that makes visitors feel valued.

Unit 3: Building Rapport and Getting Acquainted

Here, the focus is on building relationships after the initial introductions. You’ll practice talking about your free time, hobbies, travel, and experiences. You’ll also learn how to ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going naturally. Special attention is given to listening actively and responding politely, so you come across as interested and approachable. The unit also covers how to send a short thank-you or follow-up email after meeting someone.

Unit 4: Entertaining a Visitor

This unit moves outside the office into more social settings. You’ll learn how to show guests around your city or local area, recommend places to visit, and give clear directions. You’ll also practice how to describe your city in a positive way and answer questions about local culture, history, or attractions. These skills are useful when building rapport with business contacts outside formal meetings, especially when hosting visitors from abroad.

Unit 5: Having Dinner with Clients

Meals are a very common part of business socializing. In this unit, you’ll practice polite conversation during a meal—choosing food, talking about preferences, and making small talk about family, education, and general life topics. You’ll also learn expressions for thanking your host or guest, making toasts, and ending the evening gracefully. These skills are essential for leaving a good impression in more relaxed, but still important, business contexts.

Unit 6: Networking and Trade Fairs

The final unit focuses on professional networking. You’ll learn how to start conversations with new contacts, explain your company’s products or services clearly, and keep the conversation flowing with a mix of business talk and small talk. You’ll practice exchanging contact details politely, as well as writing short follow-up emails to maintain professional relationships. By the end of the unit, you’ll be ready to make useful connections at conferences, trade fairs, or industry events.