The Language of Negotiation — Professional English
Negotiation is about interests, not positions. Don't say "I want X." Say "Given our volume, we were expecting something closer to X, because…" — reason + number = negotiating power.
Negotiation is about interests, not positions. Don't say "I want X." Say "Given our volume, we were expecting something closer to X, because…" — reason + number = negotiating power.
Polite + specific + solution-focused = the complaint that gets results. Anger might feel satisfying — but it rarely fixes the problem.
The examiner rewards specific examples, not general claims. "He was hard-working" = B1. "He walked 4km to school every day in the dark because there was no bus" = C1. Details do the work.
Don't overuse discourse markers — one per paragraph is enough. However is not a magic word; it loses power if every sentence starts with it. Choose precisely.
🗺️ Draw a map of your town or neighbourhood. Label 5 places in English: the school, the park, the supermarket, the church, the river.
🛒 Play "market" at home! One person is the seller, one is the buyer. Use toy food or real items. Say the prices in English!
🙋 It's always okay to ask! If you don't understand, say "Sorry, again please?" — teachers love it when students ask.
🏠 Draw your family tree! Write each person's English name (mum, dad, grandma…). Show it to your family and teach them their English names!
Greetings are like a magic key 🔑 — say "Hello!" with a smile and people always smile back. Practise every morning: say hello to your mirror!
1. What topics should you AVOID in small talk with strangers? Politics, religion, money, personal health problems, relationship issues.
Questions about a post, a lesson or a video? Write to me.
sourovdeb.is [at] gmail [dot] com
Sourov Deb EI · SIRET 106 764 061 00011 · Saint-Pierre, La Réunion