| LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this ESL lesson on contracts are to:
- share opinions and experiences of dealing with ‘legalese’;
- learn contract terminology;
- watch a short video series about converting everyday language into ‘legalese’;
- participate in dialogues, assess legal situations, and practise contract drafting.
This ESL lesson on contracts allows advanced students to discuss whether contract terminology, a.k.a ‘legalese’, is necessary or archaic! Students discuss types of contracts and their past experiences. There is a short video series (less than one minute total) in which a lawyer turns everyday language into legalese. Students have their own chance to play with language, re-writing legalese into plain English, and vice versa.
WARM-UP AND DISCUSSION
This ESL lesson on contracts begins with a simple warm-up. Students discuss the last or most memorable experience they have had signing a contract. In the next exercise, students read the terms used to denote specific parts of contracts (e.g. clause, addendum). They read about different agreements and match the description to each contract term. Next, they look closer at the types of contracts from and discuss questions about them. After that, students prepare for the video. They read sentences of legalese containing pronominal adverbs (e.g. hitherto, henceforth). Students have to re-write the adverbs into plain English.
VIDEOS AND VOCABULARY
The next part of this ESL lesson on contracts contains a series of short videos (less than one minute total) in which a lawyer turns everyday language into legalese. Before watching, students read both versions: legalese and plain English. They try to complete the gaps in the legalese version with what they think might be the correct word. Afterwards, they watch the videos to check their answers. Next, they copy the video and re-write plain sentences into legalese (e.g. Let’s go on a date). Following that, students discuss general opinions about legalese. Students also learn contract terminology by reading client-lawyer dialogues (e.g. arbitration, force majeure). In the exercise, they choose the correct word to complete the lawyer’s response. Next, students describe legal situations using words or phrases in brackets (e.g. violating a non-compete clause – indemnification, injunction). The ESL lesson on contracts finishes with a fun exercise in which students choose a classroom contract and draft some sections, using different contract terms.
WORKSHEETS
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This is a fantastic lesson for anyone working with Legal English students, so look no further! Bravo for creating this! A lot of fun and superbly put together!
Thank you so much for the feedback!
Kudos, hats off and a big thank you for this handout.
Thank you!!
Once again you have come up with the goods or rather “we can confirm that you have provided the required service to the level expected by my client”. Thanks!
Hahaha, putting the legalese to use! You’re most welcome 😀