Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa v Nitre

English for Legal Purposes

Odborná Angličtina
(Seminárna práca)

2023 Dávid Juhar

MJAJ22m
Table of content
The importance of teaching legal English.............................................2
Target audience.....................................................................................3
Teaching legal English..........................................................................3
Simulate Courtroom Communication...................................................4
Conclusion.............................................................................................5
Bibliography..........................................................................................6
The importance of teaching legal English
Teaching English to law students is of paramount importance as it equips them with
the necessary linguistic skills to navigate the complex and specialized world of legal practice.
English proficiency is a foundational requirement for success in the legal field for several
reasons: Legal documents, contracts, and court pleadings demand a high level of precision
and clarity. A nuanced understanding of English is essential for drafting and interpreting legal
texts accurately. Ambiguity in language can lead to misinterpretation and legal disputes.

Law is inherently a communicative profession, whether it be in written documents,

oral arguments, negotiations, or client consultations. Lawyers must be able to express
themselves clearly and persuasively, and a strong command of English ensures effective
communication in legal settings.

Proficiency in English is crucial for comprehending the subtle nuances and intricacies
of legal texts, ensuring that lawyers can accurately interpret and apply the law.

With the increasing globalization of legal practice, lawyers often collaborate with
international colleagues, clients, and organizations. English serves as a lingua franca in the
legal world, facilitating effective communication and collaboration across borders.

Legal research involves extensive reading, analysis, and synthesis of legal materials. A
solid understanding of English is indispensable for navigating legal databases, comprehending
court opinions, and producing well-structured legal documents. Strong writing skills are
particularly crucial for drafting contracts, briefs, and other legal instruments. (Strbakova,
2021)

English proficiency enhances a law student's marketability and opens up opportunities

for professional development. Many legal journals, conferences, and prestigious legal
positions require the ability to communicate effectively in English. A lawyer with strong
language skills is better positioned for career advancement.

English is the primary language of legal scholarship, making a proficiency in English

essential for law students to access and contribute to international legal discourse. Many
seminal legal texts, landmark cases, and legal publications are in English, underscoring the
importance of language skills in legal education. (Prior, 2023)

Lawyers often represent clients who may only speak English. Clear and effective
communication with clients is crucial to building trust, explaining legal concepts, and
ensuring that clients fully understand their rights and obligations. English proficiency is
essential for this client-centered communication.

Target audience
Law students: Mastery of Legal English is vital for law students as it provides them with the
linguistic capabilities essential for success in legal studies.

Corporate professionals: Those who work in legal departments of multinational companies.

Language instructors: English language teachers, that aspire to specialize in legal English.

Government officials: Individuals who work in government positions related to law.

Interpreters and legal translators: It is important for translators to have a basic knowledge of
legal English since this course can enhance their accuracy and understanding of legal texts.

There is a limited number of lawyers and law professionals, so the classes would be
smaller, meaning that we cannot divide students by English proficiency. Apart from being on
different levels of fluency they also have different professional needs. All law students
routinely review contracts, providing their feedback and suggesting amendments. They also
regularly engage with legal statutes and stay updated on the latest legal regulations. Most
students are required to communicate with their peers in the legal field. Additionally, most of
them must convey legal perspectives to individuals without legal backgrounds, such as
colleagues from other departments or clients. While only a small minority actively use
English in non-legal contexts, such as reading books or watching films and TV series, all
students perform the tasks regardless of their current language proficiency. (Strbakova, 2021)

Teaching legal English

Vocabulary

One of the fundamental aspects of teaching legal English is teaching students the extensive
and specialized language of law. We can employ interactive methods such as flashcards, word
games, but the most important part is to actually show them real world examples of such
language being used, so the base of legal English teaching should be about explaining how
certain words function in real life scenarios. Additionally, there are certain word pairs that
non-native English speakers have a difficult distinguishing between, so the teacher should
always pay attention to correct such mistakes as confusing “ensure” and “insure”. (Prior,
2023)

Extensive reading

"Extensive reading and extensive listening are the best ways to build up the language
needed“ (Horowitz, 2021) It is crucial to expose students to authentic legal materials such as
statutes, contracts, and court opinions, as this exposure is essential for a comprehensive
understanding of legal language within its practical context. Engage learners in the analysis of
case studies and legal documents to augment their grasp of legal terminology and drafting
conventions. Encourage critical thinking and facilitate discussions that enable students to
apply legal language to real-world situations. (Prior, 2023) According to research the most
effective method for enhancing reading and listening speed, expanding vocabulary, and
acquiring background knowledge, among other advantages, is through "extensive reading"
and "extensive listening." Essentially, this involves engaging in a substantial amount of
reading/listening, choosing materials that genuinely interest you, and selecting texts that are
easily comprehensible, where you understand at least 90% of the words, eliminating the need
for frequent dictionary consultations. (Horowitz, 2021) It's important to recognize the
potential fatigue associated with studying law. With an extensive volume of legal texts and
numerous required readings, students may find it challenging to cover all materials and may
lose interest. To mitigate this, maintain a balanced approach, offering a variety of lessons in
moderation to ensure sustained engagement and better outcomes. (Prior, 2023)

Roleplay
It is essential for future legal practitioners to hone their courtroom communication skills.
Conducting exercises such as mock trials, debates, and oral arguments to provide students
with opportunities to practice articulating their thoughts persuasively within a legal context.
Teachers should emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional demeanor and tone
when presenting arguments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the importance of teaching legal English extends beyond mere linguistic
proficiency. The specialized nature of legal practice demands a nuanced understanding of
English, particularly in the drafting and interpretation of legal texts where precision and
clarity are paramount. As the legal landscape becomes increasingly globalized, proficiency in
English becomes a valuable asset, facilitating collaboration and communication with
international colleagues and clients. The target audience for legal English instruction is
diverse, including law students, corporate professionals, language instructors, government
officials, and interpreters/legal translators.

Recognizing the unique challenges and professional needs of these individuals, it

becomes essential to tailor instruction to meet their specific requirements. Teaching legal
English involves not only imparting specialized vocabulary but also incorporating extensive
reading and listening exercises. The benefits of such approaches are highlighted, emphasizing
the importance of exposure to authentic legal materials, case studies, and practical
applications to enhance comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Simulating
courtroom communication through exercises like mock trials and oral arguments is a crucial
component of legal English teaching. These activities provide students with opportunities to
practice and refine their speaking skills, fostering confidence and persuasiveness in a legal
setting. In essence, teaching legal English is an investment in the professional development of
individuals within the legal sphere, equipping them with the language skills necessary for
success in their careers and ensuring effective communication in the complex world of law.
Bibliography
Horowitz, S. (2021). How to teach legal English to busy students? Asynchronous and other options. Dostupné na
Internete: linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-teach-legal-english-busy-students-
asynchronous-stephen

Prior, J. (28. November 2023). How to Teach Legal English: From Language to Law. Dostupné na Internete:
dotefl: https://www.dotefl.com/how-to-teach-legal-english/#How_To_Teach_Legal_English

Strbakova, Z. (2021). Why is teaching Legal English such a challenge? Dostupné na Internete:
teachinglegalenglish: https://www.teachinglegalenglish.com/why-is-teaching-legal-english-such-a-
challenge/

Useful resources for teaching legal English

Legal ESL resources - a website with grammar, dictionaries and some legal vocabulary
Linguahouse Business Law - lesson plans related to business law (the lesson plans without the
padlock icon are free to use without subscription)
Business English Pod - audio materials to do with the law
Onestopenglish: Law - articles and lessons
UsingEnglish.com - a few lesson plans and some legal vocabulary
Best Legal English Podcasts - a website offering a choice of legal English podcasts
Discussion questions
Law - a chart with several questions
ESL vault: law - discussion questions and law idioms
ESL Conversation topics - questions for B1-C2 learners
Teflpedia.com - justice conversation questions
Youtube channels
Study Legal English with Louise - plenty of videos here
Legal English Cenre - a channel to recommend to Polish speakers
https://intercom.help/fluentbe/en/articles/5805629-teaching-legal-english

 právnická angličtina Alena Hradilová

English for law students : Zuzana Kurucová ->

 Lesson Plan

Aims: To work with real documents, and introduce new vocabulary based on cases that
happened in real life.

Teaching aids: Computer, Projector, Mobile phones, Textbook, Printed version of legal
documents

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

Lesson:

Introduction of new vocabulary (15 minutes)

2 exercises using the textbooks mentioned.

Document Analysis (20mins)

Analyze a real legal case study, focusing on the language used in legal documents and
the impact on the case. These documents contain words that we learned from the previous
exercise.

Client Consultation Document Simulation (40 mins): Simulate a client consultation

with an emphasis on document explanation and communication. Analyze the role of
documents in client interactions.

Interactive Group Reflection Board (15 mins)

Instead of a traditional reflective discussion, set up a collaborative online reflection

board (using platforms like Padlet or a shared document). Ask each student to share their key
takeaways, challenges faced, and insights gained during the document-centric learning
process. Encourage them to comment on each other's reflections, fostering a collaborative
reflection experience.
Exercise example