Photo: Dan Scavino, Public domain
Talk Like Trump: Deal-Making English
A fun, light-hearted hour of English for beginners and elementary learners, built around the famous public-speaking style of Donald Trump: big words like "tremendous" and "huge", short punchy sentences, repetition and "believe me". It is an affectionate style parody, not a politics class. Then we use that confidence for real negotiation English: making an offer, saying "that's too low", meeting halfway and shaking on a deal, with a market role-play in small groups.
An affectionate class about a famous speaking style, not politics. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Donald Trump or the Trump Organization.
After this hour you can
- Use big "superlative" words: tremendous, huge, the best, the greatest
- Copy famous style tricks: short sentences, repetition and "believe me"
- Make an offer and ask for a better price
- Say no politely, or ask for time to think
- Meet in the middle and close a deal with a handshake
- Sound confident in English even with simple words
- 0′–5′
Welcome
Know how the class works and hear the "deal-maker" style.
- 5′–12′
Big words
Say big, positive "superlative" words with the right stress.
tremendous
say trih-MEN-dus
Very big or very good. "A tremendous deal."
huge
say HYOOJ (long "yoo")
Very, very big. "This is huge!"
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 12′–19′
Famous catchphrases
Use the most famous catchphrases of the style, in the right place in a sentence.
Believe me.
say bih-LEEV mee
"Trust me, this is true." Said at the end of a sentence: "It's a great price. Believe me."
A very, very good deal.
say uh VEH-ree VEH-ree GOOD DEEL
A really good agreement or price. Saying "very" twice makes it stronger.
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 19′–26′
Style tricks: short, punchy, repeated
Make a short sales pitch using short sentences, repetition, the rule of three and a pause.
It's simple.
say its SIM-pul
Trick 1: very short sentences. Say it, then stop.
Big. Very big.
say BIG. VEH-ree BIG.
Trick 2: say a word, then say it again, bigger.
+ 5 more on your phrase sheet
- 26′–33′
Making an offer
Ask the price, make an offer and say a price is too high or too low.
How much do you want for it?
say hau MUCH duh yoo WONT for it
Ask the price when the price is not fixed, for example at a market or online second-hand sale.
I'd like to make an offer.
say aid LAIK tuh mayk an OF-uh
"I want to say a price I will pay."
+ 7 more on your phrase sheet
- 33′–40′
Back and forth
Move towards a deal: meet halfway, add something extra, or ask for time.
Meet me halfway.
say meet mee hahf-WAY
"You move a little, I move a little, and we meet in the middle."
Let's split the difference.
say lets SPLIT dhuh DIF-runs
You say 100, I say 80, so let's agree on 90.
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 40′–47′
Closing the deal
Agree, shake on it and finish politely, or walk away with "No deal".
We have a deal!
say wee HAV uh DEEL
"We agree. It is done." Short version: "Deal!"
Let's shake on it.
say lets SHAYK on it
"Let's shake hands to show we agree."
+ 6 more on your phrase sheet
- 47′–57′
Practice: the market deal
Sell and buy an object in English, from first offer to handshake.
- 57′–60′
Recap and this week
Remember the key phrases and know what to practise this week.
Today is an affectionate parody of a speaking style, not politics: we never talk about policies or real people, only about how the style works. And it is a great style for learners: very simple words, very short sentences, lots of repetition and a lot of confidence. Native speakers use the same tricks in sales and business every day. Real negotiation English is often softer and more polite, so we learn both: the big show-off version for fun, and the polite version for real life.
- Zoom on a computer, tablet or phone
- A microphone; headphones with a mic are best
- Somewhere you are happy to speak out loud
- Pen and paper, if you like. No English needed.
Do I need to know any of the language already?
No. Every class is for complete beginners. We start from hello, and everything is explained in English. If you already know a little, it will be a good warm-up, but it will feel easy.
What happens in the hour?
A short welcome, then the sounds (or, for Japanese and Korean, a first look at the writing), greetings, introducing yourself, numbers to ten, ordering at a café and the phrases that get you out of trouble. Then you practise in small breakout rooms and we finish with a recap. Each class page shows the hour minute by minute.
Will I have to speak?
Yes, that is the point, but gently. Most of the time the whole class repeats together with microphones on, so nobody is singled out. Near the end you practise in breakout rooms of 2 or 3. Your camera is up to you.
How big are the classes?
At most 12 people, so everyone gets to speak and ask questions.
How much is a class?
One class is one payment, and you see the price before you pay. Nothing renews and there is no subscription.
Can I cancel or move my class?
Yes. Write to support@bunevents.com at least 24 hours before the start and we will refund you in full or move you to another time, whichever you prefer.
