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Legal English And Foundations (First Base) 4 Weeks of Intensive Pre-LLM. John Haberstroh Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, English as a Second Language Coordinator Northwestern University School of Law. Northwestern University School of Law
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Legal English And Foundations (First Base)4 Weeks of Intensive Pre-LLM John Haberstroh Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, English as a Second Language Coordinator Northwestern University School of Law
Northwestern University School of Law • 1 in 8 students is a non-native speaker of English. • 125+ LLM, LLM Human Rights, & LLM-Kellogg students.
LEAF: Why? East Asian students’ inadequate skills: • Speaking (Discussion) • Listening • Writing/Grammar • Vocabulary/Reading a little stronger
LEAF needed to be discussion, listening, and writing rich (red lines)
LEAF Content • 40% Pre-LLM ‘Writing & Rhetoric’ • 60% ‘Reading & Discussion’
Writing & Rhetoric • Avoid substantive overlap with existing LLM writing course. • Incorporate advanced ESL methodology and curriculum. • Communicative: maximize small group tasks and discussion.
Reading & Discussion, Purposes 1. Catch up other 3 skills to reading skill. 2. Establish ‘habits’ that maximize language learning during school year. 3. Push forward with reading skill.
Reading & Discussion, Features 1. Motivated legal and advanced English reading, speaking & listening in small group task settings. 2. Legal and advanced English vocabulary: the 500; many opportunities. 3. Reading comprehension with authentic, well-written legal academic texts. 4. Provide 1L knowledge needed for law school language community.
Reading & Discussion Content 1L doctrine! • Introduction to U.S. Law • Torts • Constitutional Law • Civil Procedure • Legal Ethics • Contracts • Corporate Law
1L Content = Excellent Motivation • Why? • Instrumental motivation • Integrative motivation (!)
What have we learned? 1. Less reading homework. 2. Law professors only. 3. Finish day early. 4. Class starter: 20-25 minute lecture. 5. Comparative law, not so much.
What have we learned? 6. It works! 7. It integrates international students.