Joining a Group Conversation at a Company Event
Three people are chatting by the buffet — how to join the conversation politely in English without intruding.
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)
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Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
It was really nice talking to you. ___ later!
I'm Thomas, by the ___ — I look after logistics for the Hamburg region.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode a sales rep explains how to join a group conversation at a company event: opening with "Mind if I join you?", introducing yourself briefly, connecting to the topic and moving on politely. You learn the key networking phrases in English (level B1) — and why "We see us" is not an English goodbye.
The entry: a question, not a monologue
You do not enter a group with an introduction but with a permission question: "Mind if I join you?" It hands control to the group, which makes it polite rather than pushy. The name comes second — casually, with "by the way": "I'm Thomas, by the way." Starting with name, company and job title instead sounds like a sales pitch, not small talk.
Connecting instead of changing the subject
The most common networking mistake is overwriting the running conversation with your own topic. Thomas does the opposite — he listens briefly and connects: "That sounds familiar — my train this morning was forty minutes late." Open questions then keep the conversation going: "How was your journey?", "Is this your first time at this event?" Open questions signal interest and give the group room — closed yes/no questions stall the talk.
The goodbye: "See you", not "We see us"
Moving on is normal at events — nobody expects you to stay all evening. The polite formula: "It was really nice talking to you. See you later!" The German word-for-word "We see us" does not exist in English; native speakers usually understand it, but it instantly marks the speaker as unsure. Remember the three variants: "See you later" (concrete), "See you around" (non-committal) and simply "See you".
Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.
Frequently asked questions
What language level is this episode for?
Level B1 (CEFR). The monologue uses everyday networking English with distinct pronunciation; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.
How do I join a group conversation in English?
In three steps: make eye contact and wait for a natural pause, ask "Mind if I join you?", introduce yourself briefly ("I'm …, by the way") and connect to the running topic ("That sounds familiar …").
Why is "We see us" wrong?
"We see us" is a word-for-word translation of "Wir sehen uns" — the construction does not exist in English. Correct options are "See you later", "See you around" or simply "See you".
Where can I practise these phrases live?
In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — since 2004. Start with a free consultation.
Are the voices real?
Episodes are produced with high-quality AI voices (Hume) and editorially reviewed by our trainer team — the same method as our interactive lessons.
Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?
The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.