Your everyday work. Your practice.
02 · BUSINESS SKILLS
Small talk Open conversations, ask relevant follow-ups and move into a meeting.
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These taster courses are designed around B1–B2 workplace situations. They are practice, not a language placement test. Your answers stay in this page until it is closed or reloaded.
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Small talk · Business English
Start with shared context Travel, the event or first impressions of the location often provide an easy opener. Match your question to the situation.
How was your journey?
Listen and follow up Pick up on a specific detail. A relevant follow-up shows more interest than immediately changing the subject.
You mentioned a new project. What are you working on?
Make a smooth transition Use a short bridge to move into the meeting. Let the relationship and context guide how personal the conversation becomes.
Shall we get started?
Small talk · Business Deutsch
Use the situation A question about the journey or event is often an easy opener. With new business contacts, start with neutral topics.
Hatten Sie eine gute Anreise?
Show interest with a follow-up Pick up on something in the reply. Questions beginning with Was …? or Wie …? invite the other person to say more.
Wie gefällt Ihnen die Veranstaltung bisher?
Move politely to the agenda A friendly suggestion helps you move into business. Keep the agreed form of address; do not switch from Sie to du without agreement.
Wollen wir mit dem ersten Tagesordnungspunkt beginnen?