Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Use informal negotiation phrases to mediate or resolve conflict
Express compromise, persuasion, and disagreement politely but casually
Participate in a role-play mediation
Warmer
What would you do?
- One pirate stole treasure from the other. How would you settle it?
- Both want to claim the same island. What’s fair?
- One pirate insulted the other’s parrot. How serious is this?
Pre-listening
Pre-listening vocabulary
Read the sentences and guess the meaning of the words in bold.
- I trusted him with everything, and he totally backstabbed me during the deal.
- We found an old stash of gold coins hidden under the floorboards.
- They planned the heist together, but she double-crossed him and took all the loot.
- That beach has always been our turf—no one crosses into it without a fight.
- Look, it’s been years. Isn’t it time we bury the hatchet and move on?
- Even though he’s quiet, everyone knows she’s the one who calls the shots.
- After weeks of fighting, the rival crews agreed to a shaky truce.
- Don’t blow up over this—it’s just a misunderstanding!
- Their personalities clash too much to work on the same crew.
- Negotiations hit a deadlock when neither side would give up any treasure.
Matching exercise
Vocabulary Gap-fill
Listening
Listening for Gist
Comprehension Questions
Listen again and answer the questions.
Why is Captain Redfang angry at the beginning of the dialogue?
What does Captain Salty Bones accuse Redfang of stealing?
What suggestion does the mediator make to calm things down?
What was the condition for Salty Bones to agree to a truce?
How does the conversation end, and what does “no hard feelings” mean in this context?
Answers
- Why is Captain Redfang angry at the beginning of the dialogue?
Because he believes Captain Salty Bones backstabbed him and stole his stash. - What does Captain Salty Bones accuse Redfang of stealing?
He claims that the treasure was half his and also demands the return of his parrot, Polly. - What suggestion does the mediator make to calm things down?
The mediator proposes a truce: Redfang returns the parrot, and Salty Bones shares the eastern beach. - What was the condition for Salty Bones to agree to a truce?
He wanted an apology for Redfang blowing up his dinghy. - How does the conversation end, and what does “no hard feelings” mean in this context?
They agree to the terms, and the mediator says “no hard feelings?” to make sure both sides are ready to forgive and move forward without resentment.
Key Phrases
Text
A: (Mediator) Alright, enough shouting. Let’s all just breathe, yeah?
B:(Captain Redfang) She backstabbed me and stole my stash!
C:(Captain Salty Bones) That “stash” was half mine to begin with!
A: Look, can we not turn this into a whole thing?
B: A whole thing?! She double-crossed me!
C: You’re not exactly innocent either.
A: Okay, okay. Let’s just find some middle ground.
B: Middle ground? I want my turf back.
C: And I want my parrot! He took Polly!
A: Focus, captains. Let’s talk terms. A truce maybe?
C: Only if he apologizes for blowing up my dinghy.
B: That was an accident—sort of.
A: Sounds like progress. Let’s say… Redfang gives back the parrot.
C: And?
A: And Salty Bones shares the eastern beach.
B: I don’t like it.
C: I can live with that.
A: Come on, Red. Call it even?
B: Fine. But only if she stops calling me “peg-leg.”
C: Deal.
A: Then it’s settled. No hard feelings?
Post-listening activity
Discussion Questions
Answer the questions
- Why do some people believe in conspiracy theories?
- Is it possible to disagree with someone respectfully? How?
- What makes someone seem “crazy” versus just “creative”?
Role Play 1
Role A:(Mediator) -You’re the peacemaker trying to end a bitter feud between two rival pirate captains.
- Stay calm and neutral
- Get each captain to explain their side
- Encourage both to use informal negotiation phrases (e.g., “Let’s call it even,” “Can we find some middle ground?”)
- Suggest a peace deal that includes a fair compromise
Role B: Captain 1
- Angry because the rival crew stole your stash and insulted you
- You want an apology and a share of new territory
- Resist compromise at first but be open to a fair deal
Role C: Captain 2
- You think captain 1 betrayed a deal first
- Demand the return of your parrot and a public apology
- Refuse to give up anything without getting something first
Task
- Use at least 3 informal negotiation phrases
- Reach an agreement that includes at least one compromise
Role Play 1 (2 Students)
Two pirate captains have been feuding over territory, treasure, and insults. You’re meeting face-to-face to settle things once and for all—without swords.
Student A:
You’re furious. You believe the other captain backstabbed you and took your secret stash.
You want:
Your treasure back
An apology
A fair deal going forward
Your Goal: Get what’s owed to you without starting another fight. Use informal negotiation language, express your frustration but try not to blow up.
Student B:
You don’t think you did anything wrong. You had a deal, and you stuck to it.
You want:
To keep half the stash
No blame
A promise that Redfang won’t talk trash about your crew anymore
Your Goal: Keep what’s yours, avoid looking guilty, and end the feud on your terms.
Objective
Use 3 or more informal negotiation phrases (e.g., “Let’s not make this a whole thing,” “Can we split it?”, “No hard feelings?”)
Try to reach an agreement that includes at least one compromise from each side
End the conversation with a truce or unresolved tension, depending on how the role play unfolds
Role Play 2
Situation- One pirate secretly made a deal with the rival crew. Now both sides feel betrayed.
Role A: Betrayer -You’re the peacemaker trying to end a bitter feud between two rival pirate captains.
You made a secret deal to protect your crew (or make extra profit)
You believe you did what was best but are now caught
Try to justify your actions and calm tensions
Role B: Captain 1
Furious about the betrayal
Demand punishment or repayment
You’re unwilling to forgive unless there’s something in it for you
Role C: Captain 2
You got what you wanted from the deal, but now there’s tension between you and the captain.
Offer to smooth things over—only if it benefits you
Threaten retaliation unless you’re treated fairly
Task
- Use informal expressions to explain, justify, or negotiate
- Try to reach a 3-way resolution (e.g., shared loot, apology, new deal)
- Stay persuasive and emotionally expressive
Role Play 2 (2 Students)
Student A:
You just found out your first mate went behind your back and cut a deal with the rival crew
You’re angry, hurt, and ready to kick them off the ship
But part of you wants to understand why they did it
Your Goal: Confront the betrayal, demand an explanation, and decide if they can stay on your crew
Student B:
You made the deal to protect the crew—or maybe to get rich
You know you broke trust, but you have your reasons
You want to keep your position and make things right (sort of)
Your Goal: Defend your actions using informal persuasive language, and talk your way out of trouble
Objective
Use at least 3 casual negotiation or justification phrases (e.g., “We’ve all messed up,” “I’m trying to keep things chill here,” “Just drop it, alright?”)
Try to reach a decision: forgiveness, punishment, or a deal
Stay in character and respond naturally—even if it gets heated
