Simulated negotiations as a teaching tool in the ESP classroom

Courses of English for Specific Purposes are offered by many universities, yet the potential these courses have to enhance learning in the students´ field of study is sometimes neglected. This article describes one effective method, focusing on the use of simulated negotiations as a teaching tool in the ESP course for political scientists. Simulated negotiations have been used in teaching of political science, international relations, diplomacy and related fields for many years but so far, their use outside political science courses has not been described. Relying on personal experience, we not only outline the steps needed to run a successful simulation in the ESP classroom, but also look at the benefits simulated negotiations bring both within and outside the ESP course. Participant feedback shows that apart from developing English language proficiency, simulated negotiations in ESP classes also enhance the students´ understanding of topics and issues from the field of political science. Another perceived benefit is the development and cultivation of transferrable / soft skills. Closer cooperation between language centres and individual university departments may lead to such modifications of the ESP syllabus that will complement both the ESP course and specialised courses from the students´ field of study.