Deborah Capras - Small Talk - B1+

My goals

• Strike up conversations at conferences

• Respond to strangers who greet me

• Become more confident at making the first move

Conferences, trade fairs and events are the perfect places to network. The people you meet there may be able to help you and your business in the future – and you may be able to help them too. But it can only happen if you strike up conversations with strangers. This can be scary at first, but this chapter provides you with the language you need to do this, together with helpful tips and advice.

Key phrases

In the exhibition hall

Is this the first time you’ve been to this conference/trade fair?

Are you giving a talk later? I think I recognize you from the programme.

Are you waiting to go into the workshop/presentation?

The venue/atmosphere is amazing/great/outstanding, isn’t it?

The weather here has been fantastic/terrible, hasn’t it?

After a presentation or workshop

(That was a) good/great/nice session. I got a lot out of it.

That was thought-provoking/entertaining/impressive.

The keynote speaker certainly gave me some food for thought.

He/She made some valid points, don’t you think?

He/She knows his/her stuff. I was impressed.

It’s been a long day.

In the break

Hi. Is this seat taken?

(Do you) mind if I join you?

Hi there. Is there room for one more at this table?

Responses

Absolutely. / Exactly.

I know what you mean. / I agree. / That’s so true. I know exactly how you feel. / I know the feeling.

No, it’s free. Please join us. / Not at all. Please do.

Of course/Sure. Take/Have a seat.

Giving your name

I’m Dana Dardari, by the way.

By the way, my name’s Peter. Peter Graham.

Go to www.collinselt.com/businessresourcesto listen to the key phrases.

Scenarios

Nasir:Well, the keynote speaker certainly gave me some food for thought.

Breda: She was impressive– and she knows her numbers.

Nasir:Definitely. I loved her accent. She’s Irish, isn’t she?

Breda:Yes, she is. And so am I.

Nasir:I thought so. Are you giving a talk later? I think I recognize you from the programme.

Breda:Yes, I am. My session is at two.

Nasir:Oh! I’m going to it. I’m Nasir Mazhar, by the way.

Breda:Breda Houlihan. It’s nice to meet you, Nasir.

Lesia: Mind if I join you?The other tables are full.

Charlotte: Of course.I’ll just move my bag for you.

Lesia:Thanks. I’ve been on my feet all day!

Charlotte: I know the feeling.I left home at four this morning.

Lesia:That is early. So you’re not from Edinburgh.

Charlotte:No, no. I’m from Avignon.

Lesia:That’s such a beautiful place! I’m Lesia, by the way.

Frank: Hi there. Is there room for one more at this table?

Holger: Of course. Please join us.

Frank:I really need a coffee. I’m running out of energy.

Holger: I know what you mean. It’s been a long day.Just one more session.

Frank:I feel sorry for the presenters who have the last one.

Holger:Well, the organizers put the best speakers in the last session, so actually, I feel sorry for us .

Frank: That’s so true. By the way, I’m Frank.

Go to www.collinselt.com/businessresourcesto listen to the scenarios.

Over to you

1 Match the questions with the correct polite responses.

2 Longer responses sound better. What can you add to make the responses in exercise 1 friendlier?

1. Of course....................................

2. Yes, it is....................................

3. No, it’s free....................................

4. Not at all....................................

3 What can you say to start a conversation? Match the sentence beginnings with the sentences endings.

4 Complete the words in the sentences.

1. This v_ _ _ eis great.

2. The at_ _ _ _ _ _ _ eis amazing, isn’t it?

3. The k_ _ _ _ _ espeaker was good, wasn’t she?

4. She certainly gave me some food for th_ _ _ _ t.

5 Choose the correct word.

1. Her presentation was impressive/ impressed.

2. She made some valid / correctpoints.

3. His talk was really interested / interesting.

4. The weather here has been impressed / terrible, don’t you think?

5. It’s been a(n) outstanding/ validevent.

6 What can you say to show that you agree with someone? Put the words in the correct order. Don’t forget to add punctuation.

1. I / what / know / mean / you

..................................................................

2. feeling / the / know / I

..................................................................

3. feel / how / know / you / I / exactly

..................................................................

4. true / so / that’s

..................................................................

7 Complete the dialogue.

Frank:Hi there. Is there room for one more at this table?

You: (1)( Respond in a positive and friendly way.)

.............................................................................

Frank:I really need a coffee.

You: (2) (Respond and then make a comment about the last presentation.)

.............................................................................

.............................................................................

Frank:Absolutely! It certainly gave me food for thought.

You: (3) (Agree in a friendly way and then make a comment about the venue.)