The art of networking (reported speech)

Inna | Mar 13, 2026Mar 13, 2026

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this ESL lesson on reported speech are to:

• discuss and role-play networking scenarios;
• practise reported speech in different situations;
• watch a video on networking strategies.

In this lesson, students discuss where and how networking happens. They explore networking vocabulary, think of potential solutions to people’s problems and watch a video with networking tips. Students reflect on networking methods, read a dialogue involving professional encounters and work with the rules of reported speech. They also examine typical workplace scenarios and role-play networking conversations.

WARM-UP AND VIDEO

This ESL lesson on reported speech starts with a warm-up. Students read the definition of networking and discuss questions reflecting on how and where it happens. After that, they look at sentences involving networking issues. Students match words and phrases (e.g. expand one’s network, reconnect, reach out to) with their meanings. Then, students look at the people’s problems from the previous exercise (e.g. I can’t overcome my fear of talking about myself and my skills more openly) and think of potential solutions to them. Moving on, they watch a video about networking and check if any of the solutions they came up with in the previous task are mentioned. Following that, students decide which word or phrase can be used to complete gaps in networking tips. They then watch the video again and check their answers. Next, students discuss questions about networking strategies.

REPORTED SPEECH AND ROLE-PLAY

In this part of this ESL lesson on reported speech, students read a dialogue about networking experiences and recent professional encounters. After that, they analyse and practise the rules of reported speech. Moving on, students report sentences related to professional networking and career development. They then complete sentences about corporate updates and workplace progress with the correct forms of verbs in reported speech. Afterwards, students write a one-sentence continuation of each situation. Finally, in pairs, students role-play two networking conversations. Student A is considering a job at Student B’s company. Having already gathered some information from another employee, Student A uses card prompts to ask Student B for more details. After each response, Student A reports what they previously heard. Finally, Student A decides whether to apply for the position. Then, students swap roles and continue with another set of cards.

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This ESL lesson on reported speech also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students imagine they are at a networking event and they hear some gossip from the people they meet. They report what they said, using different reporting verbs and structures. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.

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