American English For Students of Law (S995-30004)

For Summer 2008 applications are no longer being accepted for the Law Seminar as all available spaces have been filled.  We urge you to consider one of our other courses or to consider applying to the 2009 seminar, a process which will begin next January.

This seminar provides intensive orientation to the American legal system. It is designed for non-native speakers of English who are planning to enter law school in the U.S. or who will be working in the field of law in an international context. Participants explore the historical roots and basic institutions of the American legal system and are introduced to concepts and methods of American legal analysis. In the process of discussing legal topics students have the opportunity to sharpen their English language skills including discussion techniques, principles and strategies of oral and written argument, and informal debate.

The morning program is conducted by a practicing attorney who is also a teacher of law. Seminar students will practice written and oral communication within the context of such contemporary American legal issues as:

	the right to freedom of speech
	the right to privacy
	discrimination based on gender or race (judicial selection and discipline)

To complement class sessions, field trips are projected to:

	a federal and state correctional facility (prison)
	state and federal courts to observe a criminal trial and to meet with judges before and after the trial
	the United Nations to meet with lawyers and UN officials

Afternoon Courses

Advanced Writing

This course will explore the elements of persuasive writing and argumentation through a variety of contexts related to the U.S. legal system and legal issues. The course will discuss the kinds of writing that U.S. lawyers most frequently use, including their purpose and format.

American English Pronunciation

This workshop is designed to help students quickly reduce their foreign accent. Students will learn about phrasing, word stress, speech rhythm, and intonation. The vowel and consonant sounds of English will also be introduced.