“Networking is Marketing..." – Teacher’s notes Topics: Business English – networking – introduction – small talk Level: B2 and above Skills: Speaking and Listening Link: Networking for success, TedTalk by Theresa Reaume Aims: To discuss the meaning of networking and its importance. To compare networking in the past and nowadays. To predict information using prompts before watching a video. To listen for gist and detail. To express opinion. To practice role-play situations: networking, introducing themselves, small talk, etc. Use of language: To use Simple Present to talk about current activities. To use Simple Past to talk about past actions. To review connectors to express contrast. To review phrases to express opinion. To learn / review collocations of the verb “build”. To learn / review phrasal verbs. Before watching 1. Lead-in discussion: Students discuss the questions and talk about their personal experience. Encourage them to come up with a definition of networking in pairs or groups, and then compare their ideas. The quote belongs to Christine ComafordLynch, who is an American businesswoman, author and serial entrepreneur. More info on Wikipedia. Some suggested follow-up questions: What kind of events do you usually attend / did you use to attend? Do you like / enjoy networking? Do you think you’re good at it? Why? Why not? What do you need to work on? (These questions will also come up in the last exercise) 2. Students talk about the importance of networking in the past and nowadays. They might also talk about Covid-19 and how the conventions and events they used to attend in person are organized online nowadays, how the pandemic changed the concept of networking, etc. Encourage them to use connectors to express contrast: while, whereas, but, on the other hand, however… Some possible answers: The pictures suggest face to face networking (meetings, conventions, events, ….), social media (Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), phone calls, emails, etc. 3. Answers may vary. Students predict information that will be said in the video according to their personal experience and prior knowledge on the topic. While watching 4. Students watch the video and write down some ideas using the six prompt given in exercise 3. Suggested answers: Networking is a marketing tool that can help you build your business and build your network. Networking is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. Body language helps people realize who is open for conversation and it also tells others a lot about ourselves. (E.g.: open vs closed circles, folded arms and scowl on the face are not welcoming expressions) Look for common ground, lateral networking, with people you would like to meet / talk to. Don’t go straight to business, talk about sports, movies, books, travel first and then people may want to know about your business. VCP: Visibility, Credibility, Profitability. Dr. Ivan Misner. Try to gain visibility, go to networking events, belong to referral networking groups, service industries like a rotary, volunteer. Credibility happens over time by showing up on time, dressing the part and conducting yourself appropriately. All these will lead to profitability and doing business together. Follow-up: After the event is over, connect on Linkedin, send them a card, meet for coffee… 5. In order to answer the questions, play the video again, if necessary, and correct exercise 4. Suggested answers: a. The woman turned back around, got back to the car and started to cry. b. This kind of questions show interest and keep the conversation going. c. By reading the paper, articles on latest business trends, etc. Suggestion: After correcting exercises 4 and 5, you can ask students some follow-up questions: Have you ever been in a similar situation to the woman Theresa mentioned? Do you usually use open-ended questions to make conversation? How do you add value to your conversations? After watching 6. Before discussing the statements, you can ask students which of these tips they already do, which ones are new to them and which ones they find useful. Answers may vary in this exercise. Encourage students to tell personal anecdotes and use phrases to express opinion. Agreeing: I totally agree. Absolutely ! Definitely! I couldn't agree more. Partly agreeing: I agree up to a point... That's partly true, but ... Disagreeing: I don't agree!. I totally disagree... I'm not sure about that. Focus on lexis 7- If they don’t know, tell students that a collocation is a group of words that often go together or that are likely to occur together. They should use some of the collocations given to talk about their personal experience. 8. Some other collocations include: self-esteem, self-confidence, self-awareness…. 9. This exercise is important for students to become aware of the importance of context when studying phrasal verbs given that many of them have more than one meaning so context is key to inferring meaning. 10. Answers: a. After entering the room, the woman turned back around, got back into her car and started to cry. b. It is intimidating to strike up conversations with strangers. c. Theresa hopes the audience take(s) away some concrete ideas to help them become effective networkers. d. By reading articles on business trends going on, you can add value to your networking. e. If you want to join a conversation, look for open circles in the room. f. Volunteering is a good way of giving back to your community. g- If you show up on time and dress the part, you will definitely gain credibility. Follow-up task 11. Role-play: Give students some time to brainstorm some ideas: ways of introducing themselves, telling what they do, some professional background. Encourage them to use some of the tips given by Theresa. 12. Students can share their reflection or just write down a few ideas for them to work on in the future. Your notes: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… EFL Creative Ideas - Ⓒ2021
