The challenges in teaching and learning legal writing

P. 272–282.

Popova T. P.

To include English into the curriculum of law schools throughout the world is essential since it has become an international language of communication practically in all the spheres of our life and legal sphere is not an exception. Basically, legal English is used by legal professionals (solicitors, barristers, prosecutors, judges) in their work. It stands to reason that international law students need to be trained by specialists in legal English. When it is taught at university level challenges of various character arise: the interference of the first language; the differences between common law jurisdictions and that of the learners’ jurisdiction; cultural differences between the culture of foreign students and the legal culture studied/taught; the lack of qualified English language teaching practitioners; the lack of appropriate textbooks and reference materials for language learners. This article focuses on the challenges experienced by teachers and students when designing and doing a course of legal English. Special attention is paid to teaching legal writing when assisting students to prepare for the Cambridge examination in legal English (ILEC). The article considers the advantages of obtaining ILEC, its requirements in the part of legal writing and some ways to overcome the difficulties in compiling a preparation course for law students. Competence-based approach is recommended to implement. 

Keywords: competence-based approach, legal writing, language interference

In book

Наука и образование: проблемы и тенденции развития. Материалы международной научно-практической конференции, 20-21 декабря 2013 г.: сборник статей в 3-х ч.

Ч. 3. , Уфа: РИЦ БашГУ, 2013.