Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Socializing

Meeting New People (B1/B2)

Your goal: introduce yourself, ask good questions, and keep a conversation going with a stranger.

1

Survival Phrases

Introducing

  • Hi, I'm Marina — I don't think we've met.
  • Are you a friend of Diego's?
  • How do you two know each other?

Good questions

  • What brings you here tonight?
  • What do you do when you're not doing this?
  • Have you been to one of these before?

Finding common ground

  • Oh, you're into hiking too? Where do you go?
  • No way — I lived there for a year!
  • That's so funny, I was just saying the same.

Exchanging details

  • Do you want to swap numbers / follow each other?
  • It was really nice meeting you — see you around?
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Marina: Hi — I'm Marina. I don't think we've met?

Lia: Lia, hi. Yeah, I'm a friend of Diego's from work.

Marina: Oh, how do you two know each other?

Lia: We used to work together — keep in touch. You?

Marina: Old school friend. So what brings you here tonight — just the party?

Lia: Mostly! And I'm new in town, so trying to meet people.

Marina: Me too, honestly. What do you do when you're not at parties?

Lia: I climb — badly. You?

Marina: No way, I climb too! Where do you go?

Lia: There's a wall near the harbour. We should go sometime!

Marina: Love that. Want to swap numbers?

Lia: Done. Nice to meet you, Marina.

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationMore formalMore informal / natural
IntroducingHi, I'm Marina — I don't think we've met.Hi, I'm Marina.
Opening questionWhat brings you here tonight?What brings you here?
ConnectingOh, you're into hiking too? Where do you go?You hike? Where?
ClosingIt was really nice meeting you — see you around?Nice meeting you. See you?
At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.
4

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

  • I am Marina, nice to meet. → I'm Marina — nice to meet you. ((meet you))
  • How you know Diego? → How do you know Diego? ((auxiliar))
  • What you do for living? → What do you do for a living? ((a living))
  • I am new in the city. → I'm new in town. ((in town))
  • We should go sometime, no? → We should go sometime! ((exclamation, não tag))
  • Can I have your number? → Want to swap numbers? ((swap, softer))
5

Culture Note

  • Open questions ('What brings you here?') start chats that last; closed ones ('Do you like it?') kill them.
  • Finding common ground fast ('You climb too?') turns a stranger into a contact.
  • Asking 'how do you two know each other?' is the safest, friendliest opener at a party.
  • Swapping numbers is normal early; 'see you around' alone can read as a polite brush-off.
6

Practical Task

  1. Rebuild the dialogue with your real hobby and a different setting (a class, a meetup).
  2. Record both roles, with open questions and reactions.
  3. Write three open questions you'd ask a stranger.
  4. Real-life mission: listen to a casual English conversation and note three connectors ('No way', 'Me too', 'Same').

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐introduce yourself and ask how people know each other?
  • ☐ask an open question that keeps it going?
  • ☐find common ground quickly?
  • ☐swap details naturally?
Bring your dialogue — the teacher gives short answers so you must keep asking.