Effective communication on sophisticated topics in a second language

Learning Hero: Rebecca Pendleton 

In my Legal English class, I teach English Language Learners with non-U.S. law diplomas how to improve their speaking and listening skills for the study of law at Boston University. Students focus on listening and speaking challenges of lawyers and law students including: academic speaking and listening in the law school classroom, informal speaking with other lawyers and hypothetical clients, and persuasive/formal speaking in the courtroom. English is predominantly the language of international legal practice and its importance to lawyers cannot be over-emphasized. The way in which one uses legal English can therefore be crucial to professional success. The course provides students with the opportunity to build on language skills in the professional context through realistic legal scenarios and materials prepared by qualified lawyers. After completing this class, students have expressed feeling more confident in their ability to communicate about complicated legal topics using a more sophisticated vocabulary.