Course aims:

• Updating, correcting and developing the previously acquired English skills
• Developing the study abilities in English through specific tasks based on listening, speaking, and reading
• Developing a cognitive strategy for the understanding of the specialized texts through the familiarization with the specialized Legal terminology in English.
• Developing the abilities of clear communication and presentation of the acquired information in English.

Course Entry Requirements:

A2-B1, B2 English level

Course contents:

1. Basic legal terms People in the Legal System: Civil Cases 2. Basic legal concepts Law firms, initiating a lawsuit 3. Legal resources Where do I look? 4. Preliminary documents Intake memos, retainer agreements and other documents 5. Court structure Understanding the Levels of the US Federal Courts 6. Jurisdiction Types of Jurisdiction 7. In the courtroom Jury Duty: rules and expectations 8. Court process Main procedures/actions in a trial 9. Court etiquette The Rules and Language in a Courtroom 10. Criminal Law The Objective of Criminal Law 11. Civil law Responsibilities of a Civil Law Attorney 12. Administrative law Responsibilities of a Specialist in Administrative Law 13. Initial client interview Eliciting information and taking notes 14. Interviewing witnesses Do You Trust Your Witness? – witness qualifications

Teaching methods:

Communication methods, audio and video resources, presentations, student-student interraction.

Learning outcomes:

• Developing listening, reading and speaking abilities related to specific Administrative and Legal topics • Acquiring familiarity with specialized language; reading for gist, understanding and communicating contents.

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

Oral examination and presentation by students: – 60%; continuous assessment – 40%.

Recommended reading:

• Murphy, Raymond, Essential Grammar in Use, second edition, Cambridge University Press, pg. 10-49, 60-77.
• Evans, V., Dooley, J., Smith, D., J., Career Paths – Law, Express Publishing UK Ltd, pg. 4-33.
• Mason, C., Atkins, R, The Lawyer’s English Language Coursebook, Global Legal English Ltd, 2011, pg. 9-38.
• Wyatt, R., Check Your English Vocabulary for Law, A&C Black London, 2006, pg. 1, 2, 23-31, 45, 48-50.
• Wyatt, Rawdon, Check Your English Vocabulary for Business and Administration, fourth edition, A&C Black. London, 2007, pg. 1-7, 11-12, 16-17, 49-54, 65-66.