I am writing with a general survey question, of sorts, and thank in advance anyone kind enough to reply with their experience, thoughts or suggestions about my creation of a "Legal English" program of study preparatory to LLM studieds in the US.

I have been practicing law for 17 years and recently developed an interest in applied linguistics and teaching English as a Second Language. I have discovered that a niche market exists for the teaching of "Legal English." Some law schools offer such courses as summer intensives, and my research discloses that such programs also exist at schools (mostly US "extension" programs) around the globe, presumably for foreign students planning to attend US LLM programs or to undertake practice in or relating to US jurisdictions. However, it seems that the courses are generally taught by EITHER lawyers or ESL teachers (or both, in tandem). By contrast, I have undertaken (and will complete next semester), a program at New School University in NYC to become certified to teach ESL.

Because of my interest in teaching ESL, the obvious fact of my US legal experience, and my desire to live abroad, I've begun to explore how I might exploit all three to offer specialized "Legal English" instruction, ideally, in Paris. Instruction would include focii on the substance and form of US legal papers and language, oral advocacy, legal vocabulary and litigation demeanor peculiar to US courts and practitioners, and the US court system. (At an International Law forum I attended in Paris last year, I found most interesting the very different ways in which British, French, Austrailian and US lawyers interact with judges and opposing counsel.)

As prospective LLM students, I would welcome your thoughts and suggestions on this idea, including whether you would deem such a program of study desireable and, if so, where demand might exist and how you could best utilize such a program of study. I am aware, of course, that US law schools require certain TOEFL scores or something synonymous. My experience, however, is that even the most proficient non-native speakers almost uniformly lack the verbal and written English skills necessary to truly succeeed in a US law school, not just "get by."

What are your thoughts? I welcome all comments, from students or lawyers in any country, but am also particularly interested to hear hear from those in France.

My very best of luck to you all as you pursue your LLM goals. Thank you in advance for your replies.

I must be shadowing you. I am an attorney/journalist...and am also training to teach Legal English...at the New School. I would love to hear more about your experiences. Perhaps by now you've figured out the best way to approach the field...or perhaps you've found out what doesn't work. I would love to hear from you. Thanks.

I'm quite surprised there hasn't been much response to this because it sounds like a great idea to me. I don't know about how many people from France pursue Graduate Studies in the US, but this Board often has people from China and India, and if English is not your first language, it is quite difficult to do well in a law school. I would've thought there would be much more interest from the people I've mentioned above.