Law for English - a one-to-one course to improve your general English
This course is for lawyers and law students who want to expand their existing knowledge of English by studying a law-based subject, such as copyright, sports law or human rights, to learn not only the terminology of that subject but also grammar and vocabulary for use in everyday writing and conversation with lawyers and clients.
The lessons listed below are sample one-hour lessons to give you an idea of the topics we can cover and the learning outcomes, but every course will be tailored to your needs and aims.
First lesson FREE - Finding your level, setting your goals
This is where we meet and discover your needs. What legal business do you work in and what is your current level of English? What course length can you commit to? How do you like to learn? What are your reasons and goals for improving your English skills? Do you have an important negotiation to prepare for, or a client agreement to draft? Or you may need help to prepare reports or witness statements. Target your business responsibilities with your English needs.
We will then draw up and agree the lesson plan, subjects and outcomes. Here are some sample lessons, but any subject or language skill can be covered.
Sample lesson 1 Social media on trial
This lesson focuses on how the widespread use of social media is affecting the law. Students will listen to a news report regarding efforts in the United States to limit TikTok's influence. Additionally, a reading comprehension exercise examines how digital platforms can impact trials. The lesson also includes a grammar component that concentrates on adverbial phrases, as well as discussion sections and an optional extension in the form of an essay.
Sample lesson 2 Attack on democracy
In this lesson, learners will look at the storming of the Supreme Court Congress in Brazil. The potential ramifications of this will be examined in the form of a listening exercise, while a comprehension task compares this incident to the Jan 6th Capitol attack in the US. Then, learners will study how the two countries are planning to coordinate legally. The lesson also looks at the charges Donald Trump is now facing for his role in the failed insurrection. There is a section that uses specific legal vocabulary, and there are opportunities for discussion at different points throughout the class.
Sample lesson 3 The gender gap
This lesson explores aspects of the law in relation to divorce and divorce settlements. It is based on articles from The Evening Standard, The Guardian, and Sky News about the high-profile divorce of Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum and his ex-wife Princess Haya of Jordan, and the consequent settlement ruling. The case involved phone hacking, abduction and a record-breaking payout. Exercises will require learners to learn new legal vocabulary in connection to divorce and family law (and use these words in different contexts), analyse an article that details a complicated divorce settlement, listen to a report and answer questions related to it, look at the role of the Family Court.
Sample lesson 4 Equality before the law
In this lesson, learners study language related to equality and discrimination in hiring practices. The language of equal rights and representation is important in the fields of human rights law, labour law, education law and other fields of law that affect how people interact with each other.
Sample lesson 5 Intellectual property and art
In this lesson, learners study the British graffiti artist Banksy and the invalidation of the trademark application of his artwork "The Flower Thrower". Students learn and practise language related to trademarks and copyright. They also learn and practise new legal vocabulary.
Sample lesson 6 Free speech on trial
This lesson looks at free speech through the case of a man being permitted to burn the Quran in Sweden and a bill in the UK that has the potential to affect the media’s ability to report on certain issues. Exercises test reading and listening skills, and there are opportunities for discussion. Students will learn related vocabulary and there is an additional exercise which looks at why laws governing free speech in the UK can be difficult to interpret.
Sample lesson 7 Financial crimes
This lesson looks at two high-profile cases of fraud. A listening exercise focuses on Elizabeth Holmes, who was found guilty of securities fraud through her company Theranos, while a comprehension centres on Sam Bankman-Fried and the collapse of FTX.
Sample lesson 8 Indonesia bans sex outside of marriage
This lesson focuses on a new criminal code that was introduced in Indonesia, which, among other measures, criminalises sex outside marriage. Students will explore the topic through listening and reading exercises, and there will be opportunities for discussion throughout the class. There is also a section concerning adverb-adjective collocations.
Sample lesson 9 Legal films on trial
In this lesson, learners explore how the legal system is shown in popular media, including television and films. Many people’s understanding of the law, and especially courtroom proceedings, is based on the popular media. Students explore what is real and what is fantasy.
Fees The fee for this specialist course is £50 for each one-to-one 60-minute lesson.
Flexibility The course can be modified or extended to suit your needs and can be combined with lessons from the English for Law and Business courses to add variety and to widen English vocabulary and skills
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ME TO BOOK YOUR FIRST FREE LESSON OR TO DISCUSS YOUR TRAINING NEEDS
Learning methods and outcomes
Gain confidence when writing and speaking in English to your international colleagues and clients.
Online learning with one-to-one tuition using lessons tailored to your needs and goals.
The first 30 minute lesson is free including language assessment, goal-setting and choosing course length. All fees are set and agreed in advance.
Fully flexible timetable. Book a lesson a week, a lesson a day, or set aside a whole day for learning. Evenings and weekends sessions (UK time) can be arranged.
Fully flexible course topics. You decide the subjects you want to learn about in depth or to use as a basis for conversation.
