Analyzing the Spoken English Needs in Pakistani Academic Legal Settings

Abstract

Spoken English needs in Pakistani academic legal settings have never
been investigated despite the fact that the language of the law is
English in Pakistan. This paper is an attempt to carry out a survey
research, in this context. After reviewing literature in the field of
spoken legal language, I designed questionnaires to gather information
for Present Situation Analysis (PSA) of Pakistani learners of law
studying in institutions of legal education. Population groups
comprised of teachers of law and law students who have recently gone
through their academic experiences (recent law graduates). Data was
analyzed quantitatively. The findings reveal useful information about
the law students’ competence in various academic situations: asking
questions to teachers, giving presentations, group work/pair work, and
mock oral argument. Also, the findings provide scientific basis to
develop an outline for a spoken English course that can be
implemented in institutions of legal education. Or, this outline could be
merged into the main stream legal English courses.