Venus TS #20

Date/Time: Saturday, July 19th, at 10:00 AM

Location: Lucky Goat Coffee
Topic/Skill: Academic Small Talk, Networking Confidence, and Conversation Transitions

Feedback provided to the tutee:

In this session, Nejoud and I tackled one of the most terrifying things in academia, networking small talk. Specifically, how to approach those awkward moments at conferences and receptions.

We opened with a warm-up discussion about awkward professional conversations. Nejoud shared a few relatable stories from previous events where she wasn’t sure what to say, especially in English. We discussed cultural differences in how professional small talk happens, and I introduced the idea that in U.S. academia, small talk isn’t just fluff, it’s the bridge to meaningful connections.

Our mini-lesson focused on a three-stage framework for transitioning from casual to academic conversation:

  1. Friendly Opener: “This is a great event, isn’t it?”

  2. Light Question: “What brought you to this conference?”

  3. Mini-Share: “I’m actually working on a project about [topic]…”

We practiced mixing and matching these elements so Nejoud could build conversations organically, based on the setting and the person. Her delivery improved with each try, especially as she started adding enthusiasm and personal touches to her responses.

Next, we explored a Language Toolkit of high-impact networking phrases. Nejoud practiced:

  • Polite entry lines like “Mind if I join you?”

  • Curiosity-driven questions like “What are you working on these days?”

  • Professional self-disclosures like “My focus is on ___, especially in relation to ___.”

  • And how to exit gracefully: “It was great talking to you. Hope to see you around!”

Lesson(s) about tutoring and/or the tutee you learned:

This session was a great reminder that academic English isn’t just about vocabulary and grammar, it’s about navigating social nuance, expectations, and confidence in high-stakes environments. For international students like Nejoud, networking events can feel doubly intimidating: the pressure to speak well and the pressure to represent their academic identity.

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