Diplomatic Language

B2 · Upper-intermediate48 minConversation SkillsLesson 4 of 8 · Outline

Aims

Goal: deliver uncomfortable messages that can be heard — hedging, distancing, and softening language that keeps the message clear.

The lesson, stage by stage

  1. Warm up5 min

    Warm-up: Soft words, clear message

    2 warm-up questions

  1. Reading10 min

    Reading: The Power of Soft Words

    Read a 214-word text about The Power of Soft Words

  2. Framework6 min

    Framework: Hedging & Softening

    Hedging & Softening, 3 steps

  3. Practice7 min

    Practice: Diplomatic Vocabulary Practice

    Gap-fill exercise, 5 items

  4. Dialogue10 min

    Dialogue: A Sensitive Workplace Conversation

    Role-play: You've been asked to share your honest opinion about a new company policy that requires all communication to go through a project management tool, eliminating casual Slack messages. Your manager, who proposed the policy, is in the room. You think the policy is too rigid and will slow things down. Navigate this diplomatically. (4 lines)

  5. Discussion10 min

    Discussion: Your mission: the diplomatic delivery

    5 discussion questions

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This plan comes from the Advanced Conversation Techniques course in the Tuton library. Browse all free lesson plans.