English For Legal Studies

The application deadline for the 2013 Summer Programs is May 10, 2013.

Click here to apply to a program.

The dates of the 2013 ELI Summer Programs are: 
June 26 - August 9, 2013

Summer Programs:

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

English for Business Studies (EBS)

English for Legal Studies (ELS)

A deposit of $500.00 must be received before your application can be processed.  

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Program Description - English for Legal Studies

The English for Legal Studies (ELS) program is a seven week non-credit academic legal English program. It is designed for non-native speakers of English who have been accepted into a competitive U.S. law school, most typically for an LL.M program. The focus is on the language and academic skills needed to succeed in a rigorous LL.M program. 

The ELS program provides approximately 20 hours of instruction per week. Classes meet Monday through Friday and are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Students are expected to participate regularly in class and complete daily homework. Small class size and student-teacher conferences provide opportunities for individual attention. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program.

ELS also provides opportunities for students to become familiar with the American legal system and law school culture. This emphasis has been adopted to facilitate the students' transition into a fall law program. Students can expect to gain a wider understanding of the U.S. university system, professor expectations, and student responsibilities.

Because of the nature of the classes, students are required to attend the entire program. However, permission to arrive up to two days late may be given in special circumstances.
The ELS program is committed to extending the students' use of English beyond the classroom. Staff members plan a variety of activities, including social gatherings, sports events, and field trips that provide students with opportunities to use English in both social and educational settings. In addition, students are considered fully enrolled in the University of Michigan and have access to all libraries and computing centers on campus.

ELS Course Descriptions

Researching Legal Issues

This course provides an introduction to academic legal research paper writing. The emphasis of this course is on the linguistic and rhetorical aspects of legal research papers, including reading strategies for understanding cases. Analyses of published articles are the starting point for work on a student research project. Through the course, students use this project to improve their skills in creating a strong introduction, organizing information, defining terms, making claims of appropriate strength, summarizing the work of others, as well as using advanced grammar. At the end of the course, students present their work to other program members and staff.

Academic Legal Presentations

The focus of this speaking course is on individual presentations, including understanding different speech types, deciding relevant content, choosing appropriate organizational patterns, and developing a clear speaking style. Students receive individual feedback on their speeches and receive training in producing effective visual aids. Through group work and negotiation activities, new vocabulary and signposting language is introduced. Pronunciation work is provided as necessary.

Lecture Series: American Law

This course is designed to help students improve the skills they will need during their law classes. With pre-assigned reading of legal cases, coverage of the most commonly used legal terminology, and exposure to extended lectures, students will be introduced to topics and cases dealing with United States common law, statutory law and constitutional law. Through these lectures, students will have the opportunity to discuss issues and ask questions, and will be encouraged to experiment with different note-taking styles. After lectures, students will summarize the content from their notes and receive feedback on their understanding of key points.

Speaker and Field Trip Series

Program participants have the opportunity both to attend a series of lectures on law and to participate in law-related field trips. Speaker topics have included criminal law, international business law, student life, copyright and patent law and discrimination. Field trips have included visits to the prosecutor's office, federal court, and the student legal aid office.

Adjustment to the United States Workshops

In addition to the formal legal courses, several workshops will be held during the first weeks of the program. These workshops will cover topics and linguistic skills relevant to adjusting to a new country, such as social situations, phone interactions, and negotiations with landlords.