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Posted Sept. 19, 2024
How does Legal English help international LLM students?
Studying a course in Legal English helps foreign-educated LLM degree students gain a better understanding of legal theory and practice. It does this by giving them the necessary language to understand law, equipping them with the specialised vocabulary, syntax and communication skills essential for navigating US legal education and practice. To put it simply, Legal English helps students who are non-native English speakers to gain a better understanding of legal texts including statutes, case law and legal doctrines, as well as to engage in legal reasoning and argumentation.
Many law schools in the United States offer a Legal English course as a bolt-on to their Master of Laws (LLM) degree program. For example, Georgetown Law offers a two-year LLM with a Certificate in Legal English which integrates language support with legal studies to prepare foreign-trained students for professional legal environments. By mastering Legal English, these LLM graduates will gain a competitive advantage in the job market, this is particularly important for those who want to pass the US bar exam or work in English-speaking jurisdictions.
Specialised English language training is key to building proficiency in reading, writing and understanding the intricacies of legal discourse, this in turn is critical for success in legal coursework, bar exams and professional practice.
US law schools that offer Legal English as part of their LLM degree
Several US law schools offer specialised Legal English programs to help foreign-educated LLM students prepare for their studies. These courses bridge language and legal concepts, enabling students to succeed and thrive in an English-speaking legal environment.
Columbia Law School – Columbia offers a four-week summer course called “English for Advanced Legal Study”. This program focuses on enhancing fluency in legal discussions, debates, and writing, specifically targeting students entering Columbia’s LLM programs.
American University Washington College of Law – Washington College of Law provides a Legal English program designed to introduce foreign lawyers and incoming LLM students to US legal concepts and vocabulary.
Boston University School of Law – BU Law integrates legal English into their extended LLM programs to assist students in mastering the language and US legal practices, helping them succeed both academically and in professional in legal exams such as the bar exam. In an article published in The International Jurist in June 2024, Rebecca Pendleton, Lecturer and Faculty Director of the BU Law Two-Year LLM Program, explained why she thinks that Legal English is essential to the LLM experience for foreign-trained LLM students, saying, “it serves as a gateway to not only understanding the intricacies of statutes, case law and legal doctrines but also effectively communicating and arguing within the legal arena.” She continues, “Mastering legal English gives LLM graduates a strong advantage in the competitive job market, making them highly desirable to employers who value English proficiency.”
The importance of proficiency in Legal English
Proficiency in Legal English is vital for those who want to excel in a legal career in an English-speaking country, as well as those with an interest in international law as it is the most common language of communication worldwide. Effective communication is an essential part of the legal profession, and a strong grasp on. Legal English enables students to present arguments, draft documents and engage in negotiations. It also enhances their performance in exams like the bar exam, where speed and comprehension of complex legal texts are essential for success. In short, a strong grasp of Legal English makes LLM graduates more competitive in the global job market, as many employers highly value legal professionals who can navigate English-speaking legal environments.
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