Addressing Challenges in Legal English: Strategies for Non-English Major Law Students

Abstract

This study examines the challenges faced by non-English major law students in learning Legal English, with a particular focus on how these obstacles affect their academic performance. Conducted at the College of Shariah and Law, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU), the research explores the difficulties encountered by students who are required to study Legal English despite limited proficiency in the English language. The study investigates the impact of these challenges on students’ understanding of legal concepts and their overall academic achievement. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates both qualitative and quantitative data, gathered through surveys, interviews, and student performance records. Data analysis involved coding qualitative responses from interviews to identify recurring themes and patterns, while quantitative data were analyzed using statistical methods to determine correlations between language proficiency and academic performance. The findings reveal that insufficient exposure to legal terminology significantly hinders students’ comprehension of legal texts and impedes their performance in assessments. In response to these findings, the study highlights the importance of providing more comprehensible input, such as simplified explanations, glossaries, and context-rich examples, to bridge the gap between legal terminology and students’ current language proficiency. Furthermore, the study underscores the crucial role of instructional strategies and classroom practices in shaping students’ learning outcomes. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing teaching methodologies and materials, emphasizing the need for targeted support to bridge the gap between legal education and English language proficiency.