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E9 M - Negotiate a group decision

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E9 M - Negotiate a group decision

Mini-description: Negotiate several options, prioritise clear criteria and reach a reasoned group decision. You work mainly in English at B1-oriented M level: understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.

Deutsch-Hilfe bei Bedarf

Du verhandelst mehrere Möglichkeiten, gewichtest Kriterien und begründest eine gemeinsame Gruppenentscheidung. Übersetze nicht alles Wort für Wort.

Target group: English as a first foreign language, Year 9, Baden-Württemberg, M level. The official Bildungsplan for classes 7/8/9 expects M-level learners to take part in conversations, exchange and comment on information, agree on a shared goal or solution, ask for clarification and keep a conversation going. The Mittlerer Schulabschluss is oriented towards B1, partly B1+. Bildungsplan: speaking in conversations · Bildungsplan: English as first foreign language

Einleitung

A good group decision is more than a quick vote. You listen, compare options, ask questions, weigh criteria, react to other ideas and explain why the final choice works for the group.

Course rhythm: English first → understand → respond → ask → use a hint only when needed → improve → use the language again.

Safe media rule: Use fictional names and data only. Recordings are optional and should stay private unless everyone has agreed to a specific school use. Do not upload class recordings, faces, names or private social-media data without permission. Do not send private material to external AI services. If an approved AI tool is used, check facts, sources and feedback yourself, and keep your own original text.

Media start: notice the interaction

Look first. What helps a group make a decision? Say three actions in English.

listen to each other
compare options
ask for reasons
check the criteria
summarise the decision

Now watch a short language model. Focus on how speakers make, accept and reject suggestions.

Viewing 1 — understand: What is the main purpose: giving orders, making suggestions, or telling a story?

Viewing 2 — notice: Write down one phrase for making a suggestion and one phrase for rejecting a suggestion politely.

Viewing 3 — use again: Replace the example idea with one of your own.

I-can goals

After this aiMOOC, you can say:

I can compare at least three options using clear criteria.
I can make and react to suggestions politely.
I can ask follow-up questions and clarify unclear points.
I can give reasons and refer to another speaker's idea.
I can negotiate a compromise and help a group reach a decision.
I can present the final decision in a short, coherent summary.
I can write a short reasoned group-decision report.
I can mediate the key points of a short German notice into English without translating every word.

What do you already know?

Say these aloud without translating everything:

I think option A is ...
I agree because ...
I see your point, but ...
What do you mean by ...?
Which criterion is most important?
Could we combine ... and ...?
So, are we agreed on ...?

Quick challenge: Give a 20-second answer to: What makes a fair group decision?

Deutsch-Hilfe

Nutze bekannte Wörter, Beispiele, Gestik und Rückfragen. Eine perfekte Übersetzung ist nicht nötig.

Input: the decision challenge

Your fictional Year 9 class has €80, two preparation lessons and 60 minutes for one English project activity. Your group must choose one option.

Option	Short facts	Possible strength	Possible concern
A: School podcast	€0–20; 3–4 roles; recording optional	clear final product	needs planning and quiet space
B: Outdoor photo challenge	€0–10; teams; object photos can replace people photos	active and creative	weather can affect it
C: Skills workshop	€30–60; indoor; several small stations	easy to include different strengths	materials must be prepared

Important: No public upload is required. If a group uses audio or photos, participation is voluntary; a transcript, drawing or object-only photo task must be available as an alternative.

Prioritise criteria

Choose four criteria and put them in order before you argue for an option.

Criterion	Guiding question
cost	Can we stay within the budget?
preparation time	Can we prepare it well in two lessons?
inclusion	Can everyone take part in a suitable role?
learning value	Will we use English actively?
fun / motivation	Will the activity keep the group engaged?
privacy / safety	Can we do it without unnecessary personal data or public uploads?

Rule: A criterion is not just a word. Use it to explain a reason: Option C is more inclusive because people can choose different roles.

Listening and viewing

Listen to a multi-speaker example of disagreement in a meeting. The language is useful when a group has competing ideas.

First listen — understand: What are the speakers trying to decide?

Second listen — respond: Which speaker reacts most politely to disagreement? Note one useful expression.

Third listen — ask: Pause after a disagreement and add one follow-up question of your own.

Fourth listen — improve: Change one direct sentence into a more diplomatic one.

Optional challenge: Watch a shorter BBC model for polite disagreement and compare the language.

Deutsch-Hilfe

Achte zuerst auf Ziel, Tonfall und Reaktion. Notiere nicht jedes Wort. Höre beim zweiten Durchgang gezielt auf Redemittel.

Reading: a model group exchange

All names and details below are fictional.

Maya: I think the skills workshop is the strongest option because it is indoors and everyone can choose a role.

Leo: I see your point, but it is also the most expensive option. The podcast would cost almost nothing.

Noah: True, but cost is only our third criterion. We said inclusion and learning value are more important. How much English would we actually use in the photo challenge?

Maya: Probably quite a lot if the instructions and final captions are in English.

Amina: Could we combine ideas? We could run a short skills workshop and create one optional audio summary at the end. That would keep the main activity inclusive, and nobody would have to be recorded.

Leo: That sounds more balanced. If we keep the materials under €50, I can support it.

Noah: So our decision is the skills workshop with an optional private audio summary. Our main reasons are inclusion, learning value and a manageable budget.

Reading task: Find one proposal, one polite disagreement, one question about criteria, one compromise and the final decision.

Context vocabulary

English	Meaning in this course	Useful chunk
option	one possible choice	compare the options
criterion	a standard used to judge	our main criterion is ...
priority	something more important	our top priority is ...
trade-off	a gain in one area with a cost in another	the trade-off is ...
compromise	a solution where sides move towards each other	could we compromise by ...?
evidence	facts or examples supporting a point	what evidence supports that?
concern	a worry or possible problem	my main concern is ...
consensus	a decision the group can support	can we reach a consensus?

Functional grammar for negotiation

Use grammar to perform a job in the discussion.

Function	Pattern	Example
suggest	could + base verb	We could choose the workshop.
recommend	should + base verb	We should prioritise inclusion.
compare	comparative + than	The podcast is cheaper than the workshop.
predict a result	if + present, can / will	If we choose the workshop, more people can take part.
soften a claim	might + base verb	The photo challenge might be harder in bad weather.

Do not overbuild the sentence. One clear reason is better than a long unclear sentence.

Pronunciation and fluency

Goal: understandable, connected speech — not accent-free speech.

Stress the key idea: Our TOP priority is inclusion.
Use short chunks: I see your point / but I think / cost matters less here.
Let your voice rise slightly for a genuine question.
Pause before a reason: I prefer option C / because ...
Do not rush. Moderate speed is better than losing clarity.

Fluency drill: Speak for 30 seconds using three chunks: In my view ... / I see your point, but ... / So could we ...? Repeat once and improve one thing only: speed, stress or linking.

Speaking: the 8-minute group negotiation

Group size: 3–4 speakers. If you are five, add a timekeeper. If you are three, the reporter also checks criteria.

Roles:

Facilitator: opens, invites views, keeps turns balanced.
Criteria checker: asks whether reasons match the agreed criteria.
Clarifier / challenger: asks follow-up questions and tests weak points.
Reporter: notes the decision, strongest reasons and one remaining concern.

Timing:

1 minute: choose and rank four criteria.
2 minutes: each person presents a preferred option and one reason.
3 minutes: compare, challenge, clarify and suggest compromises.
1 minute: test the leading option against the top criteria.
1 minute: state the group decision and reasons.

Minimum language moves per learner: one proposal + one reason + one follow-up question + one response to another idea + one comparison or compromise.

Useful B1 chunks:

Move	Phrase
open	Shall we start with our criteria?
propose	I suggest we choose ...
reason	My main reason is ...
compare	... is more practical than ...
agree	I think you're right about ...
disagree politely	I see your point, but ...
clarify	What do you mean by ...?
challenge	How does that meet our top criterion?
compromise	Could we meet halfway by ...?
close	So, are we agreed on ...?

If the group gets stuck: return to the top two criteria. Do not repeat the same opinion louder.

Help levels

Hint 1 — light: Use only the phrase table above.

Hint 2 — medium: Use this decision frame: Option ___ is stronger on ___, but weaker on ___. Because our top priority is ___, I suggest ___.

Hint 3 — strong:

Deutsch-Hilfe öffnen

1. Nenne deine Option. 2. Gib einen Grund mit einem Kriterium. 3. Reagiere auf eine andere Idee. 4. Frage nach. 5. Suche einen Kompromiss. 6. Formuliert am Ende eine gemeinsame Entscheidung.

Use again: After one feedback round, repeat the last two minutes of the negotiation with one improvement.

Writing: decision report

Write 130–160 words to your teacher.

Include:

the three options you compared
your top criteria
the final group decision
two reasons linked to criteria
one concern or trade-off
one next step

Start: Our group discussed three options for the English project activity. We decided to ...

Keep your own text. Feedback may suggest changes, but do not replace the whole text with AI-generated writing.

Mediation: key information, not full translation

Read this fictional German school notice:

Für den Projekttag stehen höchstens 80 Euro zur Verfügung. Die Aktivität soll in 60 Minuten durchführbar sein. Foto- und Audioaufnahmen sind freiwillig. Eine Veröffentlichung ist nicht vorgesehen. Wer nicht aufgenommen werden möchte, bekommt eine gleichwertige Alternative.

Task: An English-speaking exchange student asks what matters for the decision. Explain the relevant information in 3–4 English sentences. Do not translate every word.

Hint

Focus on budget, time, voluntary recording and the alternative.

Feedback and error analysis

Peer feedback — choose one strength and one next step:

Check	Yes / partly / not yet
The decision is clear.
Reasons refer to criteria.
Speakers react to each other.
Questions move the discussion forward.
Disagreement stays polite.
Speech is understandable at a moderate pace.

Common errors — repair them:

Not yet	Improve
I am agree.	I agree.
It is more cheaper.	It is cheaper.
I suggest to choose option C.	I suggest choosing option C. / I suggest we choose option C.
If we will choose C, everyone can join.	If we choose C, everyone can join.
I disagree you.	I disagree with you.

AI check: If an approved school AI tool gives feedback, verify grammar advice, factual claims and sources. Keep a copy of your original version so you can see what you improved yourself.

Transfer: a new decision

Your English class wants one final product for a unit: a mini exhibition, a class guide booklet or a live quiz session. Choose new criteria, negotiate for 8 minutes and write a 90-word decision note. Use fewer hints than before.

Can-do check

Tick what you can now do:

□ I can make a clear proposal.

□ I can link a reason to a criterion.

□ I can compare options.

□ I can ask a useful follow-up question.

□ I can disagree politely.

□ I can suggest a compromise.

□ I can help a group state one reasoned decision.

□ I can write a short coherent decision report.

□ I can mediate key information without translating everything.

If two or more boxes are still difficult: repeat the 8-minute task with Hint 2, then use a new scenario without the hint.

Folgekurs

Continue with E9 M - Present and defend a group decision: turn your group's result into a short presentation, answer spontaneous questions and defend the choice with evidence.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What should you do before comparing the three options? (Agree on and rank criteria) (!Choose the cheapest option immediately) (!Translate every sentence into German) (!Record every speaker)

Which phrase is a polite disagreement? (I see your point, but I think we should compare the criteria.) (!No. That is wrong.) (!You do not understand.) (!Stop talking.)

Which sentence links a decision to a criterion? (Option C is more inclusive because people can choose different roles.) (!Option C is nice.) (!Option C is my favourite.) (!Option C has a letter.)

Which question helps clarify an unclear point? (What do you mean by more practical?) (!Can we finish now?) (!Who is the best speaker?) (!Do you like English?)

Which sentence uses could correctly for a suggestion? (We could choose the workshop.) (!We could to choose the workshop.) (!We could choosing the workshop.) (!We could chose the workshop.)

Which sentence compares two options correctly? (The podcast is cheaper than the workshop.) (!The podcast is more cheaper than the workshop.) (!The podcast cheaper the workshop.) (!The podcast is cheapest than the workshop.)

What is the main purpose of a compromise? (To move different positions towards a solution the group can support) (!To make one speaker win) (!To avoid giving any reasons) (!To end the discussion without a decision)

Which first conditional sentence is correct? (If we choose the workshop, more people can take part.) (!If we will choose the workshop, more people can take part.) (!If we chose the workshop tomorrow, more people can took part.) (!If we choosing the workshop, more people can take part.)

What is mediation in this course? (Explaining the relevant information in English without translating every word) (!Translating every word in the same order) (!Reading the German text aloud) (!Replacing the source with a new story)

What should happen with a voluntary class recording? (It should stay private unless everyone has agreed to a specific school use) (!It should be uploaded publicly by default) (!It should include everyone's full name) (!It should be sent to any external AI service)

Memory

criterion	standard used to judge an option
priority	something ranked as especially important
compromise	solution that moves different positions closer
concern	possible problem that needs attention
evidence	facts or examples supporting a point
consensus	decision the group can support
clarify	make a meaning clearer
trade-off	advantage in one area linked to a disadvantage in another

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Funktion
I see your point, but ...	polite disagreement
What do you mean by ...?	clarification
Could we combine the two ideas?	compromise
Our top priority is ...	prioritising a criterion
So, are we agreed on ...?	closing a decision

...

Kreuzworträtsel

compromise	What do you call a solution that moves different positions closer together?
criteria	What plural noun means the standards used to judge options?
clarify	Which verb means to make an unclear point easier to understand?
proposal	What noun means an idea formally suggested for the group?
priority	What noun means something ranked as especially important?
consensus	What noun describes a decision the group can support?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Redemittel sammeln: Erstelle acht kurze English phrases für propose, agree, disagree, ask und close. Markiere nur die Funktion, nicht die deutsche Vollübersetzung.
Kriterien sortieren: Wähle vier Kriterien aus dem Kurs und ordne sie für eine neue Gruppenaufgabe. Begründe Rang 1 in zwei englischen Sätzen.
Mini-Dialog: Schreibe sechs Zeilen zwischen zwei fiktiven Personen, die zwei Optionen vergleichen und höflich widersprechen.
Fluency practice: Sprich 30 Sekunden über eine Option. Eine Aufnahme ist freiwillig und bleibt privat; alternativ sprich live zu einer Partnerperson.

Standard

Entscheidungsmatrix: Vergleiche drei neue Optionen nach vier Kriterien und formuliere anschließend eine Empfehlung in 80–100 englischen Wörtern.
Rollenverhandlung: Führe die 8-Minuten-Verhandlung mit 3–4 Personen durch und nutze mindestens fünf verschiedene Gesprächsfunktionen.
Mediation: Erkläre einer englischsprachigen fiktiven Austauschperson die wichtigsten Regeln eines kurzen deutschen Schulhinweises, ohne Satz für Satz zu übersetzen.
Feedbackschleife: Gib einer Gruppe Feedback zu Gründen, Rückfragen, Verständlichkeit und Kompromissen. Wiederholt danach zwei Minuten der Verhandlung verbessert.

Schwer

Trade-offs erklären: Entwickle ein Szenario, in dem keine Option alle Kriterien erfüllt. Erkläre zwei echte Zielkonflikte auf Englisch.
Unvorbereitete Reaktion: Lass eine Partnerperson während der Verhandlung ein neues Kriterium einführen. Reagiere spontan und passe deine Position begründet an.
Decision report: Verfasse einen kohärenten 150-Wörter-Bericht mit Optionen, Prioritäten, Entscheidung, zwei Gründen, einem Einwand und einem nächsten Schritt.
Transfermoderation: Modere eine neue Gruppenentscheidung fast ohne Satzstarter. Sorge dafür, dass jede Person gehört wird und der Schluss die Kriterien sichtbar aufgreift.

Lernkontrolle

Kriterien statt Bauchgefühl: Eine Gruppe wählt sofort ihre Lieblingsoption. Erkläre auf Englisch, wie du den Prozess mit Kriterien neu strukturieren würdest.
Schwaches Argument verbessern: Aus Option B is best because I like it soll ein begründetes B1-Argument mit einem Kriterium und einem Vergleich werden.
Missverständnis lösen: Eine Person sagt practical, zwei andere verstehen Unterschiedliches. Formuliere zwei Rückfragen und eine kurze Zusammenfassung, die das Problem klären.
Kompromiss prüfen: Zwei Personen bevorzugen verschiedene Optionen. Entwickle einen Kompromiss und erkläre, welches Kriterium er verbessert und welchen Trade-off er behält.
Mediation mit Auswahl: Übertrage aus einem kurzen deutschen Hinweis nur die Informationen, die eine englischsprachige Person für die Entscheidung braucht. Begründe, was du ausgelassen hast.
Fehleranalyse im Gespräch: Korrigiere drei typische Fehler aus dem Kurs und erkläre, ob der Fehler Verständlichkeit, Höflichkeit oder grammatische Genauigkeit betrifft.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, you should be able to:

take part in an 8-minute discussion with 3–4 speakers.
compare at least three options using agreed criteria.
make a proposal and give a criterion-based reason.
ask a follow-up question and respond to another speaker.
disagree politely and suggest a compromise.
help state one clear group decision and its strongest reasons.
write a coherent 130–160 word decision report.
mediate key information without full translation.
speak clearly enough to be understood at a moderate pace.
use feedback to improve a second attempt.

The Lernnachweis itself should not require public uploads, external AI access or publication of recordings.

OERs zum Thema

Wikipedia background:

Free / openly licensed Wikimedia Commons media used in this course:

— group discussion, CC BY-SA 4.0
— students discussing, CC BY-SA 4.0
— checklist icon, CC0
— listening icon, CC BY-SA 4.0
— speech bubbles, free Wikimedia Commons media
— students in group discussion, CC BY-SA 3.0
— handshake/deal icon, CC0
Datei:What is Consensus Decision Making - Seeds For Change.webm — short CC BY 3.0 video introducing consensus decision-making

Further listening / viewing: The embedded YouTube lessons are shown via the platform player from established English-learning providers; they are embedded, not copied or re-uploaded. Do not download or redistribute them unless the licence explicitly permits this.

B1 reference practice: British Council LearnEnglish: Agreeing and disagreeing

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E9 M - Negotiate a group decision

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