International Negotiations

2 

 2.02 

Go through the questions with the class for trainees to predict what the two 

negotiators will say about the question. Then play the recording for trainees to check their 

predictions. They discuss their answers in pairs before feeding back to the class. Note that the 

Russian negotiator refers to the outcome as a win–win solution. He is joking, as the bear is 

indeed no longer hungry, because it is dead!

Extension activity

Write the following phrases on the board. Trainees work in pairs to decide which were 

used by the Thai speaker and which by the Russian speaker. They should also try to 

remember as much as possible of what they said about each phrase. Then play the 

recording a second time for trainees to check. They discuss their answers again briefly in 

pairs before feeding back to the class.

be pushed around 

practical and determined 

the loser

land of the free 

rather independent 

tough negotiators

no real authority 

share your victory 

win–win solution

pay for your victories 

stand firm 

you win today