EDR for Instructors
English for Dispute Resolution (EDR) provides resources and professional development courses for ESL and ESP instructors.
EDR shows ESL instructors how to engage their students with negotiation and mediation activities and role-plays. EDR shows ESP instructors how to teach negotiation and mediation in Legal English or Business English courses or in new standalone ADR courses. And through this website, ESL and ESP instructors can support each other as they learn and teach EDR.
EDR for ESL and ESP Instructors
For ESL Instructors
ESL instructors can use EDR to teach English the same way they would use drama, literature or problem-solving activities, with the added advantage of providing valuable “soft skills.”
Many EDR activities are similar to standard ESL activities. EDR shows you how to:
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Use Getting to Yes © to teach principled negotiation, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, academic honesty, critical thinking, problem solving and more.
For ESP Instructors
Instructors who teach Business English, Legal English or other ESP courses can use EDR to expand their current units – or start new units – on negotiation, mediation, ADR, and cross-cultural understanding and communication. EDR may be particularly helpful in ESP courses for diplomacy, aviation, social work, health care, hospitality and other contexts where preventing and resolving cross-cultural disputes are essential skills.
Legal English and Business English instructors can propose new EDR courses like these:
Resources for Instructors
Conflict Resolution Training for the Classroom: What Every ESL Teacher Needs to Know
This concise guide helps ESL instructors integrate conflict resolution skills into their language teaching. Designed for those with no formal training in negotiation or mediation, it provides practical strategies for intermediate to advanced students in various educational settings.
Available online and in print
Designed for ESL instructors with no formal training in conflict resolution
Practical activities and role-play scenarios
Sample syllabi and resource lists
English for Dispute Resolution: Mastering Negotiation, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (July 2025)
This book will introduce non-native English speakers to ADR concepts and practices. It includes resources for instructors new to teaching ADR or working with non-native speakers.
In-depth coverage of negotiation, mediation, and ADR
Teaching guide with activities and instructor support
Online companion site for extended learning
Self-study options for independent learners
The Teaching Guide for English for Dispute Resolution: Mastering Negotiation, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (July 2025)
The teaching guide shows ESL and ESP instructors how to use the book for activities, units or whole courses even if they have no formal training in negotiation or mediation. The teaching guide provides
An introduction to teaching EDR
Lesson plans and teaching tips for each chapter
Separate guidance for ESL and ESP instructors
Step-by-step instructions for activities and role-plays
Lists of online and other resources
A free online companion site that makes it easy to send activities and materials to students
Getting to Yes © Resources for Instructors
The “Getting to Yes” © Guide
This companion guide to Getting to Yes shows instructors how to integrate ESL and negotiation activities. It provides lesson plans and activities for each chapter, suitable for classroom use or self-study.
Provides ready-made lesson plans for each chapter of Getting to Yes.
Offers activities for reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and critical thinking.
Includes short stories applying negotiation concepts to real-world disputes.
Using Getting to Yes © to teach English, negotiation, and other 21st century skills
Barrie J. Roberts
Journal of Research Institute, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies 58
This article shows English language and Legal English instructors how to use Getting to Yes to teach integrated lessons in negotiation, English and essential 21st century skills. Written for instructors with no formal training in negotiation, the article describes four different courses that combine GTY with language learning.
In this episode of the “Study Legal English” podcast, Barrie discusses her book, which helps non-native English speakers understand the negotiation classic “Getting to Yes” by Roger Fisher and William Ury. She offers tips for using her guide, explains its purpose, and shares insights on learning negotiation skills in English.