Center for Global Legal English (Office of Graduate Programs)


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	Center for Global Legal English Professional fluency in written and spoken English is increasingly important for lawyers around the world. Indeed, enhancing their English language skills is a major goal for many LL.M. students – even those with a very high proficiency. Learning to write for a legal audience and to communicate with subtlety requires more than immersion in the language; it requires sophisticated instruction targeted for the needs of lawyers. To help students to achieve their goal of fluency, we have created the Georgetown Center for Global Legal English.


	Legal English Courses and Programs The Center for Global Legal English is fully integrated into Georgetown Law, and is staffed with a Director and an Associate Director, both of whom are trained in both law and linguistics, as well as an ESL Specialist. The Center offers a wide range of course and programs designed for students who want to improve their proficiency in Legal English. Many LL.M. students have studied English for many years; others have learned English more recently. The Center provides all students opportunities to improve their command of Legal English through the Center’s classes and programs. Courses include: U.S. Contract Drafting Writing in the Law Firm Context Writing for Tax Practice Writing for Corporate Practice U.S. Legal Discourse Presentation Skills for Lawyers Negotiations Georgetown’s Resource Center for Global Legal English offers regular workshops and tutorials for students seeking to further refine their language skills. The Fall 2007 schedule of workshops/tutorials can be found here. Interesting link for resources Personnel Sophisticated programs in legal English require faculty who are experts in both law and applied linguistics. The Center for Global Legal English has three such experts: Craig Hoffman Professor of U.S. Legal Discourse Director, Center for Global Legal English J.D., University of Texas; Ph.D. (Linguistics), University of Connecticut Peter Cramer Associate Director, Center for Global Legal English LL.M., Ph.D. (Language Education), Indiana University Kirsten Schaeztel ESL Specialist, Center for Global Legal English M.A. (Teaching English as a Second Language), University of Illiniois; Ph.D. (Applied Linguistics), Boston University Georgetown Law's LL.M. Program Georgetown offers one the foremost LL.M. programs in the U.S. with LL.M. degrees in: Global Health Law International Legal Studies Securities & Financial Regulation Taxation General Studies International Business & Economic Law (beginning 2008) In addition, Georgetown offers optional certificates in: World Trade Organization (WTO) Law International Human Rights Law National Security Law Employee Benefits Law Estate Planning The Georgetown Advantage Extensive curriculum – over 200 courses & seminars Diverse international community – students from over 60 countries Distinguished faculty – 115 full-time and over 200 adjunct professors World-class facilities – two libraries, fully wireless campus, fitness center, student residence hall Special Programs The Two-Year LL.M. Program Georgetown Law offers a unique, two-year LL.M. program for foreign-educated lawyers with strong records of academic achievement and professional experience. This small, highly selective program is designed for students with outstanding credentials who might not otherwise be eligible for an elite U.S. LL.M. program because they have not yet achieved the required level of proficiency in English. For more information, please see the program web page. Summer Programs for Non-Degree Students In addition to the LL.M., Georgetown offers shorter courses for lawyers who would like an introduction to U.S. law and an opportunity to enhance their skills in legal English. [Link for Summer 2008 program is here.] For more information about these programs, contact Peter Cramer via e-mail at pkc24@law.georgetown.edu, or by phone at (202) 662-4260. Revised September 9, 2008 (mbj)