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aiMOOC

E8 M - Negotiate and compromise

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E8 M - Negotiate and compromise

Mini-Beschreibung: Verhandle in einer fiktiven Planungssituation über Optionen, Prioritäten und Kompromisse. Du arbeitest auf Englisch auf M-Niveau in Klasse 8: verständlich, zunehmend selbstständig, mit Gründen, Rückfragen und klaren Ergebnissen.

Media start – Look, think, speak: Look at the picture for 20 seconds. What may the group be deciding? Name two possible priorities. Then say one sentence: I think ... is important because ...

Einleitung

In this aiMOOC you plan a fictional school event called Greenbridge Project Day. Your team has limited time, rooms and money. You need to make proposals, ask questions, disagree politely and find a compromise. The goal is not to “win”. The goal is to reach an agreement that the group can explain.

Learning route: English first → context → try → ask → hint → German help if needed. Try in English before you use a hint. German support is short and selective, not a full translation.

Media and privacy note: Wikimedia-Commons files remain linked to their licence information. YouTube material is used as an embedded learning resource. Use only fictional profiles in tasks. Recordings are voluntary and private; do not send recordings, personal data or private social-media information to external AI services.

I-can goals

I can make and react to suggestions: How about ...?, We could ..., I’d prefer ....
I can explain priorities and give reasons.
I can disagree politely and offer a compromise.
I can use the passive to describe plans and rules.
I can report statements, questions and commands with reported speech.
I can write a short professional follow-up message after a decision.

Before you start: activate what you know

Try first. In pairs, collect English phrases for these four moves: suggesting, agreeing, disagreeing, compromising. You have two minutes.

Ask: Compare with another pair. Which phrase sounds polite and natural?

Hint: Start with Maybe we could ..., That could work, but ..., What if we ...?

German help if needed: proposal = Vorschlag; priority = Priorität; compromise = Kompromiss; deadline = Frist.

Context: Greenbridge Project Day

All people and places in this scenario are fictional. Four students are planning a two-hour school event for Year 8.

Person	Priority	Concern
Maya	a creative workshop	not enough materials
Leo	a sports challenge	bad weather
Sam	a quiet game area	noise in the hall
Noor	a short student presentation	limited stage time

The team has a budget of £120. The hall can be used from 2:30 p.m. The sports area can be used only if the weather is dry. One classroom must stay quiet for another group.

Listening and viewing: suggestions

Look first: What helps learners follow a video task: watching for the main idea, noting keywords or stopping after every word? Choose two useful strategies and explain why.

Watch selected parts of Making Suggestions in English by Oxford Online English. Focus on how speakers make, accept and reject suggestions and how intonation changes the effect.

Before viewing: Predict three phrases you may hear.

First viewing: Listen for the main function. Do the speakers suggest, accept, reject or give a reason?

Second viewing: Note two useful phrases. Do not copy whole sentences.

Use it: Make one proposal for Greenbridge Project Day and respond to a partner.

Listening and viewing: polite disagreement

The BBC Learning English video models ways to disagree in English. Listen once without pausing. On the second viewing, write down one phrase that keeps the disagreement polite.

M-level challenge: Give a reason after your disagreement and add a new option: I see your point, but ... What if we ...?

Listening and viewing: negotiation in context

This Oxford Online English lesson is more advanced and uses a business negotiation. You do not need every word. Watch short sections, especially the parts about stating a position, disagreement and reaching agreement.

Viewing strategy: Listen for useful moves, not for perfect understanding. Pause after a key move and restate it in simpler English.

Reading: a planning note

Read first without a dictionary.

Greenbridge team meeting – draft note

Maya suggested a design workshop because many students had asked for a creative activity. Leo replied that the sports challenge would attract more people. Sam agreed with Leo about variety, but he was worried about noise. Noor asked whether the presentation could be moved to the beginning. The group had already booked the hall for 2:30 p.m., so the schedule was limited.

After ten minutes, they found a possible compromise. The presentation would be kept short. The sports challenge could be prepared outside, but an indoor backup game would be planned. Half of the remaining budget would be spent on workshop materials. Sam asked the group to keep one classroom quiet. Maya said that she could accept the plan if enough materials were provided.

Try: What are the four priorities? Which two constraints change the plan?

Ask: Which sentence shows a compromise rather than a simple yes or no?

Hint: Look for a solution that combines different interests.

Context vocabulary

Word or phrase	Simple English meaning	Useful example
priority	something that is especially important	Safety is our first priority.
proposal	an idea offered for discussion	I have a proposal.
option	one possible choice	We have two options.
constraint	a limit that affects a plan	Time is our main constraint.
compromise	an agreement where sides adjust their positions	Could we find a compromise?
flexible	ready to change part of a plan	I can be flexible about the time.
deadline	the latest time for finishing something	The deadline is Friday.
agreement	a decision accepted by the group	We reached an agreement.

Active listening move: Before you answer, show that you understood: So your main concern is ..., If I understand you correctly, ... Then react.

Pronunciation: clear before perfect

Your goal is understandable English, not accent-free English.

Stress the important content words: Our MAIN priority is the BUDGET.
Use a calm falling tone when you summarise an agreement.
Use friendly intonation when you disagree politely.
Link short phrases naturally instead of speaking word by word.

Return to the suggestions video and listen around the section on intonation. Copy one short phrase, then say your own phrase with the same communication purpose.

Speaking: negotiate the plan

Work in groups of three or four. Choose fictional roles only.

Round 1 – position: Each person states one priority and one reason.

Round 2 – questions: Ask at least one real question before you reject an idea.

Round 3 – compromise: Change at least one part of your plan.

Round 4 – result: Summarise the agreement in three sentences.

Useful language: From my point of view ... / What matters most to me is ... / Would you be willing to ...? / I can agree to that if ... / Could we meet halfway? / So we’ve agreed that ...

Recording: A recording is optional. Keep it private unless everyone involved has agreed to share it. Do not upload recordings or personal data without permission.

Functional grammar: passive voice

Use the passive when the action or result is more important than the person who does it.

Active	Passive
The team will use the hall.	The hall will be used by the team.
Students can prepare the games indoors.	The games can be prepared indoors.
The group must check the budget.	The budget must be checked.

Try: Rewrite: The team will present the final plan on Friday. → The final plan ...

Feedback: Check three things: form of be, past participle, and whether the passive is useful in the context.

Functional grammar: reported speech

At M-level, you use backshift and you can report statements, questions and commands.

Direct speech	Reported speech
Maya: “The hall is too expensive.”	Maya said that the hall was too expensive.
Noor: “Can we move the presentation?”	Noor asked whether they could move the presentation.
Sam: “Keep the classroom quiet.”	Sam told them to keep the classroom quiet.

Notice: In reported questions, use statement word order. In reported commands, use told/asked + person + to + verb.

Try: Report: Leo asked, “Will the sports area be open?” Then report: Maya said, “Please bring the material list.”

Language boundary for this course: You do not need the past perfect progressive here.

Writing: follow-up email

Write a short professional email of about 90–120 words after the meeting.

Your email should include: the agreement, one reason, one passive sentence and one reported statement or question.

Starter: Subject: Greenbridge Project Day – agreed plan

Hi team,

Thanks for the discussion. We agreed that ...

The ... will be ...

Noor asked whether ...

Best,

...

Mediation: German information, English action

Do not translate word for word. Pass on only the information your fictional English-speaking partner needs.

German note: Die Aula ist am Freitag bis 14:30 Uhr belegt. Der Musikraum kann danach genutzt werden, aber die Türen müssen geschlossen bleiben. Für zusätzliches Material stehen höchstens 30 Euro zur Verfügung.

Task: Explain the three key points in simple English. Then suggest one change to the project plan.

Hint: Use available, can be used, must be kept, maximum.

Direct feedback: four checks

After a speaking or writing task, use this quick feedback order:

Meaning: Did the listener understand the proposal and the final decision?
Negotiation move: Did you ask, react and compromise instead of only repeating your own idea?
Accuracy: Check passive forms and reported speech.
Fluency: Could you continue after a small mistake without stopping for too long?

Give feedback on one strength and one next step. Do not correct every small accent feature.

Error analysis: fix what blocks communication

Problem	Better version	Why?
I disagree you.	I disagree with you.	disagree takes with before a person.
The hall will used.	The hall will be used.	Passive needs be + past participle.
She asked could we move it.	She asked whether we could move it.	Reported questions use statement word order.
He told that keep it quiet.	He told us to keep it quiet.	Reported commands need a person and to + verb.
We must finding compromise.	We must find a compromise.	A modal is followed by the base form.

Transfer: new constraints

Your first plan is finished. Now two things change: the budget is cut by £25 and the outdoor area is closed. In three minutes, renegotiate the plan. Keep at least two parts of the original agreement.

Transfer question: Which phrases helped you stay flexible without giving up your main priority?

Can-do check

Mark each statement with yes, almost or not yet.

Can-do	yes / almost / not yet
I can make a proposal and give a reason.
I can disagree politely and offer an alternative.
I can ask a follow-up question before deciding.
I can use passive forms in a plan.
I can report a statement, question and command.
I can summarise a compromise clearly.

Next course: E8 M - Present and justify a decision

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which sentence makes a polite proposal? (Maybe we could move the presentation to the beginning.) (!Move the presentation now.) (!You must accept my plan.) (!Your idea is wrong.)

What is a compromise? (An agreement in which sides adjust parts of their positions.) (!A decision where one person gets everything.) (!A list of all possible ideas.) (!A rule that cannot be changed.)

Which response disagrees politely and offers an alternative? (I see your point, but what if we use the classroom instead?) (!No. That is a bad idea.) (!You are completely wrong.) (!I will not discuss it.)

Which sentence uses the passive correctly? (The final plan will be presented on Friday.) (!The final plan will presented on Friday.) (!The final plan be presented on Friday.) (!The final plan will be present on Friday.)

Which sentence reports a statement correctly? (Maya said that the hall was too expensive.) (!Maya said that the hall is too expensive yesterday.) (!Maya said the hall too expensive.) (!Maya asked that the hall was too expensive.)

Which sentence reports a question correctly? (Noor asked whether they could move the presentation.) (!Noor asked whether could they move the presentation.) (!Noor said whether they could move the presentation.) (!Noor asked can they move the presentation.)

Which sentence reports a command correctly? (Sam told them to keep the classroom quiet.) (!Sam told that keep the classroom quiet.) (!Sam said them keep the classroom quiet.) (!Sam asked that the classroom quiet.)

What should you do before rejecting a partner’s idea in a good negotiation? (Listen to the idea and ask a useful question.) (!Repeat your own idea more loudly.) (!Ignore the other person’s reason.) (!Change the topic immediately.)

Which phrase clearly names a priority? (What matters most to me is keeping the event affordable.) (!Maybe something will happen.) (!I do not know any options.) (!That was yesterday.)

What is the main goal of the Greenbridge speaking task? (Reach and explain a workable group agreement.) (!Speak with a perfect accent.) (!Use the longest possible sentences.) (!Win every point in the discussion.)

Memory

proposal	idea offered for discussion
priority	something especially important
constraint	limit that affects a plan
compromise	adjusted agreement between sides
deadline	latest finishing time
flexible	ready to change part of a plan

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
make a proposal	suggest an option
state a priority	explain what matters most
ask a follow-up question	understand the other side better
offer a compromise	adjust part of a position
summarise the agreement	state the final decision clearly

...

Kreuzworträtsel

compromise	What agreement can be reached when both sides adjust part of their position?
priority	What word means something that is especially important?
proposal	What do you call an idea offered for discussion?
flexible	Which adjective describes someone ready to change part of a plan?
agreement	What word describes a decision accepted by the group?
deadline	What is the latest time for finishing something called?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Suggestion sprint: Write five different suggestions for Greenbridge Project Day. Use at least three different starters.
Listening move: With a partner, practise So your main concern is ... before you answer. Change roles after two turns.
Priority card: Create a fictional role card with one priority, one concern and one thing you can compromise on.
Intonation check: Choose one polite disagreement and practise it with calm, friendly intonation. A private recording is optional.

Standard

Mini negotiation: In a group of three, negotiate a plan with a £100 budget, two rooms and one 60-minute slot. Reach one written agreement.
Passive plan: Rewrite five planning actions so that the result, room or activity is the grammatical focus.
Meeting report: Turn three direct statements, one question and one command from your role-play into reported speech.
Follow-up email: Write a 90–120 word professional message that confirms the agreement and one next step.

Schwer

Constraint shock: After your group has agreed, draw two new constraints and renegotiate without losing your highest priority.
Mediation challenge: Read a short German room or budget notice and explain only the relevant points in English to a fictional partner.
Decision briefing: Give a two-minute presentation that explains the final plan, two rejected options and the compromise.
Feedback coach: Analyse a fictional dialogue for communication, passive forms and reported speech. Suggest three precise improvements without rewriting the whole dialogue.

Lernkontrolle

Interests and positions: Two fictional students want different activities. Explain how a question about their underlying priorities could open a new compromise.
Changing conditions: The outdoor area closes after your group has agreed. Adapt the plan and justify what you keep and what you change.
Language choices: Compare No, that won’t work with I see your point, but what if we ...? Explain how the second version changes the interaction.
Grammar in context: Write a three-sentence meeting summary that contains one useful passive and one correctly backshifted reported statement. Explain why each form fits.
Decision quality: Evaluate a fictional agreement: Does it address the main priorities, constraints and concerns? Name one strength and one realistic improvement.
Transfer task: Move the strategy from a school event to planning a class trip. Name what stays the same in the language and what new vocabulary is needed.

Lernnachweis

Für einen Lernnachweis zu diesem Thema ist wichtig:

Du kannst in einer fiktiven Planungssituation verständlich Vorschläge machen, begründen und auf andere reagieren.
Du kannst mindestens eine echte Rückfrage stellen und einen Kompromiss sprachlich aushandeln.
Du kannst passive Formen produktiv und passend in einem Plan oder Bericht verwenden.
Du kannst Aussagen, Fragen und Aufforderungen in reported speech wiedergeben.
Du kannst ein Ergebnis mündlich oder schriftlich klar zusammenfassen.
Du kannst Fehler gezielt überarbeiten und zwischen Verständlichkeit, Flüssigkeit und sprachlicher Genauigkeit unterscheiden.
Du dokumentierst nur eigene oder freigegebene Inhalte. Private Aufnahmen bleiben freiwillig und werden nicht ungefragt veröffentlicht.
Wenn Du KI als Lernhilfe nutzt, prüfst Du Niveau, Fakten und Feedback und ersetzt Deine eigene Sprachproduktion nicht durch fertige KI-Texte. Private Daten oder Aufnahmen werden nicht an externe KI-Dienste weitergegeben.

OERs zum Thema

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

Der Kurs verbindet kommunikative Kompetenz, Hör-Seh-Verstehen, Lesen, Sprechen, Schreiben, Mediation, Grammatik und Reflexion. Im Mittelpunkt steht das sprachliche Handeln in einer fiktiven, altersgerechten Planungssituation.

Englisch als erste Fremdsprache