"EDR bridges cultures and languages, empowering non-native English speakers to master the art of dispute resolution in a globalized world."
English for Dispute Resolution (EDR) combines advanced ESL with Alternative Dispute Resolution, providing students, professionals, instructors, and interpreters with the tools to negotiate, mediate, and communicate effectively across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
About Barrie J Roberts
Barrie has worked as a public interest attorney, ESL/ESP instructor, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Administrator for two southern California courts. Over the past 20 years, she has created and taught a variety of English for Dispute Resolution courses, including mediation for international students at UC Berkeley and negotiation for international lawyers and LL.M. students at the Chapman University Fowler School of Law. With Maria Ceballos-Wallis, she is a co-founder of InterpretADR, which provides online and in-person ADR trainings for court interpreters.
Barrie is the author of two books, The Getting to Yes © Guide for ESL Students and Professionals (University of Michigan Press, April 2024) and Conflict Resolution Training for the Classroom: What Every ESL Teacher Needs to Know (University of Michigan Press, 2020).
Her next book is English for Dispute Resolution: Mastering Negotiation, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (University of Michigan Press). This book introduces non-native speakers of English to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as generally taught and practiced in the United States.
Barrie received a B.A. (Political Science) from UC Berkeley, a JD from UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly "Hastings College of the Law"), an MA (TESOL) from California State University, Sacramento; and an LL.M. (Dispute Resolution), from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law.
What is EDR?
EDR is a new field for non-native speakers of English. It combines advanced-level English as a Second Language (ESL) with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), so it's like Business English, Legal English, and ESL communication courses for people who want to negotiate, mediate, or generally communicate at a high, professional level in English.
EDR began in 2002 as a small experiment in a single classroom at UC Berkeley: Could 14 international students learn basic conflict resolution skills - in English - during a 6-week summer session, and if so, with what results?
The short answers were "yes" and "great success." The 14 university students from Asia and Europe improved their fluency, accuracy and confidence in English while focusing on something entirely different: Conflict resolution skills they could use for the rest of their lives. "Two for the price of one!" according to one satisfied student.
Who is EDR for?
Students/Professionals
EDR helps you improve English fluency while learning valuable dispute resolution skills. Gain confidence in negotiation, mediation, and professional communication without explicitly studying English grammar.
Instructors
Expand your teaching repertoire by integrating ADR concepts into ESL courses. EDR provides resources to create engaging activities, role-plays, and standalone courses for advanced language learners.
Researchers
Explore opportunities in this emerging field, including cross-cultural ADR, language and dispute resolution, sociolinguistics, and pedagogy. Contribute to shaping EDR's theoretical and practical foundations.
Interpreters
Enhance your skills for ADR sessions, including negotiations and mediations. Learn key terminology, concepts, and ethical considerations specific to interpreting in dispute resolution contexts.
What is ADR?
"ADR provides many ways to resolve disputes without courtroom trials. "Alternative" refers to "alternatives" to trial, such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
There are two ways to think about ADR for English for Dispute Resolution:
ADR as a professional field
ADR is an international field for professionals who aim to resolve disputes without courtroom trials. Many countries throughout the world use ADR in a variety of ways. The main ADR methods are negotiation, mediation and arbitration.
ADR for "soft skills"
ADR provides valuable "soft skills" that help us think and communicate effectively at home, work, the university, out in the world in general and online. Soft skills include cross-cultural communication, participating in group discussions and interviews, making presentations, teamwork, leadership, active listening, empathizing, collaborating, explaining, advocating, persuading, agreeing and disagreeing, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
How EDR Helps
Skills beyond language
Fluency with purpose
EDR combines ESL instruction with ADR skills. Students improve their English while learning negotiation and mediation techniques, gaining confidence in professional communication without explicitly studying grammar.
Transform your classroom
Conflict resolution through language
EDR provides resources for integrating ADR into ESL courses. Teachers can create engaging activities and role-plays, turning language lessons into valuable dispute resolution training.
Specialized communication skills
Bridging languages in mediation
Interpreters learn key ADR terminology and concepts. This specialized knowledge enhances accuracy in negotiations and mediations, ensuring effective communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions about English for Dispute Resolution? Our FAQ section offers quick insights into EDR's unique approach, benefits, and applications. Explore how EDR can enhance your language skills and dispute resolution abilities across various professional contexts.
Contact us
We're here to help you navigate the world of English for Dispute Resolution. Whether you have questions, want to contribute to our community, or need more information about our resources, don't hesitate to get in touch. Reach out via email, phone, or our contact form below. Join the global EDR conversation today!