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Legal English Training Unit

The Legal English Training Unit (LETU) of the Law Department is charged with the task of providing ongoing and discipline-specific English language instruction to law students enrolled in the Program.  Its goal is to enhance students abilities to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as legal professionals.

The LETU supports the work of law professors by developing students’ abilities to effectively read a range of legal genres, prepare oral and written case briefs, conduct research, and write academic papers.  It also includes the development of formal and informal presentation skills.  It entails close cooperation between the English language instructor and law professors and incorporates the use of authentic materials linked directly to course lectures and assignments when possible.

Support Provided

To provide effective support, students' language abilities are assessed at the beginning of the semester, plans for improvement are developed with the students’ input, and periodic feedback is provided. Both individualized and group instruction techniques are employed. Regular office hours are also held.

Workshops regularly offered include Effective Reading Strategies, Navigating the Research Process, Employing Legal Research Conventions, Developing a Legal Argument, Respecting Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism, and Effective Presentation Skills among others. Each semester the Law Department Thesis Research Orientation is also held.

Resources

All AUC students enrolled in law classes have access to the internal AUC LETU website. On it, a range of research and writing resources can be found in addition to legal databases and Turnitin access information.