Speaking: Functional Language C1 - Lesson 2: Negotiating Complex Solutions & Agreements

Speaking: Functional Language C1

Negotiating Complex Solutions & Agreements

Listen to the negotiation scenario.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use advanced phrases to state your position, propose solutions, bargain, concede, and formalize complex agreements in a professional setting.

Scenario: Negotiating Project Scope 💬

Listen to a project manager (Dara) and a client (Vanna) negotiate an unexpected change. Notice the phrases they use to manage the disagreement and find a solution.

Dara: "Thanks for meeting, Vanna. Regarding the new AI feature, our main priority is maintaining the quality of the core product."

Vanna: "I understand, but for us, this feature is non-negotiable. We need it for our launch."

Dara: "I see where you're coming from, however, adding it now will definitely impact the timeline. Would you be open to extending the deadline by two weeks?"

Vanna: "I'm afraid we can't move on the deadline. What if we were to descope the 'reporting' module and do that in Phase 2 instead?"

Dara: "Hmm. That's a potential compromise. We could be flexible on that, on the condition that we get immediate approval on the new specs."

Vanna: "Excellent. So, to confirm, we'll proceed with the AI feature, postpone the reporting module, and keep the original deadline."

Dara: "That's my understanding, yes. I'll send over the revised plan."

The Diplomat's Toolkit: Phrases for Negotiation 🛠️

A C1 negotiation uses specific language to signal your intention at each stage.

1. Stating Your Position

Clearly state what you need (your "non-negotiables").

• "Our main priority is..."
• "The bottom line for us is..."
• "For us, ...is non-negotiable."

2. Proposing & Bargaining

Make conditional offers ("If you do this, I'll do that").

• "Would you be open to...?"
• "What if we were to...?"
• "We'd be prepared to... on the condition that..."

3. Handling Disagreement

Acknowledge their point before politely disagreeing.

• "I see where you're coming from, however..."
• "I'm afraid we can't move on that."
• "That's not really feasible for us."

4. Conceding & Compromising

Show flexibility to find a middle ground.

• "That's a potential compromise."
• "We could be flexible on..."
• "I suppose we could manage that, provided that..."

5. Finalizing the Agreement

Summarize and confirm to prevent misunderstanding.

• "So, to confirm, we've agreed on..."
• "Let's just recap what we've settled on."
• "That's my understanding, yes."

C1 Strategy Tip

🗣️ The "Softener": Sounding Polite While Disagreeing

At a C1 level, saying "No" directly can be too aggressive. Use "softening" phrases to make your disagreement more diplomatic and polite, which helps the other person stay open to negotiation.

• Instead of "No, that's wrong," try: "I'm afraid I see it differently."
• Instead of "That's a bad idea," try: "I'm not sure that's the best approach."
• Instead of "Your price is too high," try: "To be perfectly frank, that's a bit more than we were expecting to pay."

Practice Your Negotiation Skills 🎯

Practice Quiz: Choose the Most Effective Phrase

Read the situation, then choose the *best* phrase for a C1-level negotiation. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Situation: You need to ask your client for more time on a project. You want to sound professional and flexible.

A) "I need more time. It's impossible." B) "Would you be open to extending the deadline by one week?" C) "I will give this to you late."

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2. Situation: A vendor offers you a service for $5,000. Your budget is only $3,000, and $5,000 is impossible.

A) "I don't like that price." B) "I'd be prepared to pay $3,000." C) "To be frank, that's just not feasible for us at this time."

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3. Situation: You and your partner have just agreed on three complex points. You want to end the meeting and make sure you both agree.

A) "Great. So, let's just recap what we've settled on." B) "Okay, I'm done. Are you done?" C) "Did I win?"

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

• Non-negotiable (Adjective) | មិនអាចចរចាបាន
  Something that cannot be changed through discussion.
• Feasible (Adjective) | អាចទៅរួច
  Possible to do easily or conveniently.
• To descope (Verb) | ដកចេញពីវិសាលភាព
  (Business jargon) To remove features or work from a project's plan.
• Compromise (Noun) | ការประนีประนอม
  An agreement where each side gives up something they wanted.
• Concession (Noun) | ការអនុលោម
  A thing that is granted or given up in a negotiation.
• Leverage (Noun) | អានុភាព
  The power to influence a person or situation.
• To reach an impasse (Verb Phrase) | ឈានដល់ការទាល់ច្រក
  To reach a point in a disagreement where no progress can be made.

Your Mission: The Salary Negotiation ⭐

Your mission is to role-play a classic complex negotiation: asking for a raise.

Get a partner. One person is the **Employee**, the other is the **Boss**.

• Employee's Goal: You want a 15% salary increase. Your "main priority" is getting a significant raise.
• Boss's Goal: You cannot give more than a 5% raise due to "budget constraints." Your "main priority" is to keep the employee happy without breaking the budget.

Instructions:
Use the phrases from the **Diplomat's Toolkit** to find a compromise. Can you negotiate a 7% raise plus two extra vacation days? Can you agree on a 5% raise now with a "non-negotiable" review in 6 months? Try to reach a **mutually agreeable** solution.