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David Wallace, MA, Dip TESOL, Dip Teaching

This course develops business and legal English vocabulary, legal reading skills and listening.  This legal English course is designed for intermediate English language learners who want to increase their legal vocabulary fast.  Improve your legal vocabulary while reading and listening about important points in contract law.

This course covers topics such as the parts of a contract, types of contracts and what are essential elements of a legal contract.  There are several lectures, and there are also many activities so you can really practise and improve your business and legal English quickly.  These include:

Read more

This course develops business and legal English vocabulary, legal reading skills and listening.  This legal English course is designed for intermediate English language learners who want to increase their legal vocabulary fast.  Improve your legal vocabulary while reading and listening about important points in contract law.

This course covers topics such as the parts of a contract, types of contracts and what are essential elements of a legal contract.  There are several lectures, and there are also many activities so you can really practise and improve your business and legal English quickly.  These include:

  • Vocabulary development quizzes and tests.  We identify the key words for this topic and practice them many times in different legal situations.  This is a fast way to increase your understanding of business and legal vocabulary.

  • Listening to lawyers give advice to clients about their business and legal needs.  With comprehension exercises to assist in your understanding of these conversations and how legal English is used.

  • Listening to clients discuss their business problems.  With comprehension exercises to focus your attention on the key ideas.

  • Reading contracts related to the three business types.  With activities to help you understand these legal documents.

  • Links to online apps like Quizlet where you can further practice the vocabulary in this course.

  • This course will also be very useful for anyone preparing for English exams such as IELTS or TOEFL as it focuses on developing important academic vocabulary, listening and reading skills that are vital to score well in these tests.

At the end of this course you will not only know a lot more about contract law, but you will have also learnt the key vocabulary and grammar for this topic. Improve your English with Engliscape. 

Join "English for Business and Law - Contract Law".  It's the fastest way to improve your business and legal English.  And look out for other business and legal English courses by Engliscape, including Legal Business Structures and Intellectual Property Law.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Essential legal and business language to improve english skills in the workplace or in university study.
  • Key english vocabulary that business and law students must know.
  • Reading skills developed through exercises based on real legal texts.
  • Listening skills improved by responding to dialogs between lawyers and clients.

Syllabus

Contract Vocabulary - Function Words
Understand what a contract must contain to make it legal. Learn the essential vocabulary for writing about contracts.
Read more

An introduction to this course.

This video explains some of the important legal words used in this course.

Links to the free online site for vocabulary learning - Quizlet.com

Practice the legal vocabulary while learning about the different parts of a legal contract.

An explanation about the loan contract in this section.

An example agreement used to discuss the important parts of a legal contract.

Answer the questions about this simple contract.  You might want to download and print the contract.

An explanation of the vocabulary used in this course.

A repeat of the links to Quizlet for practice.

Learn about different types of legal contract.  The lecture describe contracts for sale, lease, loan, etc.

Listen to the video lesson and answer these questions.

A link to a vocabulary quiz.

An explanation of this section where we will study an example of a contract.

Some quick questions to introduce this contract.

An explanation of the contract in this section.

An example of a contract of sale for a piece of land.

Watch the introduction.  Then download the client questions about the land sale contract.   The answers will be in the next video lesson.

Here are the answers for the six client questions about the example land sale contract.

What makes a contract legal?  Here are five things that a contract must contain.

Read the cases.  For each case, decide who should win.

Practice your legal vocabulary.  Answer these questions on contract vocabulary.

An introduction to express / implied and executed / executory contracts.

An example contract with comprehension questions.

Answer these questions from your client.

20 questions covering all parts of this course.  There are 10 questions on vocabulary and 10 questions on general topics.  Good luck!

Congratulations on completing this Engliscape course!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on developing important academic vocabulary, listening, and reading skills, which are vital for scoring well in tests like IELTS or TOEFL
Develops business and legal English vocabulary, legal reading skills, and listening comprehension, which are essential for success in the field
Includes links to online apps like Quizlet, which can further help learners practice the vocabulary introduced in the course
Requires learners to download and print contracts, which may require access to a printer and scanner that are not available to all learners
Teaches vocabulary and grammar for contract law, which may not be applicable in all jurisdictions due to differences in legal systems

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Reviews summary

Essential english for business contract law

According to learners, this course is a highly effective resource for improving English vocabulary and understanding specific legal concepts related to contract law. It's particularly well-suited for intermediate English speakers aiming to use English in business and legal environments or prepare for exams. Students found the practical examples, such as reading actual contracts and engaging in listening activities simulating lawyer-client conversations, to be very helpful. While primarily focused on building vocabulary and foundational understanding, it provides a solid basis for its target audience.
Explanations are easy to follow.
"The lectures were clear and easy to understand, even for complex legal ideas."
"Information is presented in a very clear and structured manner."
"Content is explained well, making it accessible to non-legal professionals."
"I found the explanations about different contract types very clear."
Dialogues aid comprehension of spoken legal English.
"The listening comprehension exercises with lawyer-client dialogues were realistic and helpful."
"Practicing listening to legal conversations improved my understanding of spoken English in this context."
"The audio examples provided valuable listening practice related to legal situations."
Uses real-world examples like contracts.
"Reading and analyzing the example contracts was incredibly practical and insightful."
"The exercises involving real legal documents were very useful for understanding application."
"I appreciated the practical activities like analyzing parts of a loan contract."
"The course uses good examples to show how legal English is applied in practice."
Suitable for intermediate learners and specific goals.
"Perfect for intermediate English learners who need legal vocabulary for business or study."
"This course directly applies to my professional need to understand legal English in contracts."
"Useful for those preparing for English proficiency tests that require academic/business vocabulary."
"The course content aligns well with the stated objectives for intermediate level."
Targets specific vocabulary for contract law.
"This course is excellent for increasing specific vocabulary in the field of contract law..."
"I learned a lot of legal terms used in real-life contracts. The vocabulary exercises were great."
"The emphasis on key vocabulary words for contracts was exactly what I needed for my job."
"Helped me understand the particular language of contracts and legal documents."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in English for Business and Law - Contract Law with these activities:
Review Basic Legal Terminology
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental legal terms to better grasp contract law concepts.
Browse courses on Legal Terminology
Show steps
  • Identify key legal terms related to contracts.
  • Define each term in your own words.
  • Find examples of how these terms are used in legal documents.
Read 'Contract Law for Dummies'
Gain a foundational understanding of contract law principles through a simplified and accessible guide.
Show steps
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Summarize each chapter in your own words.
  • Identify any areas where you need further clarification.
Discuss Contract Scenarios with Peers
Solidify your understanding of contract law by discussing real-world scenarios with other learners.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with classmates.
  • Find or create contract law scenarios.
  • Discuss the legal implications of each scenario.
  • Debate possible outcomes and legal arguments.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Contract Law Glossary
Deepen your understanding of contract law vocabulary by creating a comprehensive glossary of terms.
Show steps
  • Compile a list of key contract law terms.
  • Research and define each term accurately.
  • Provide examples of how each term is used in practice.
  • Organize the glossary alphabetically for easy reference.
Draft a Simple Contract
Apply your knowledge of contract law by drafting a simple contract for a common transaction.
Show steps
  • Choose a common transaction (e.g., sale of goods, service agreement).
  • Identify the essential elements of the contract.
  • Draft the contract using clear and concise language.
  • Review the contract for accuracy and completeness.
Study 'The Principles of Contract Law'
Expand your knowledge of contract law with a comprehensive textbook that delves into legal doctrines.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on key legal principles.
  • Take detailed notes on important cases and legal arguments.
  • Summarize the main points of each chapter.
  • Identify areas where you need further research or clarification.
Prepare a Presentation on a Contract Law Case
Enhance your understanding of contract law by analyzing a real-world case and presenting your findings.
Show steps
  • Choose a significant contract law case.
  • Research the case thoroughly, including the facts, legal issues, and court's decision.
  • Prepare a presentation outlining the key aspects of the case.
  • Practice your presentation to ensure clarity and confidence.

Career center

Learners who complete English for Business and Law - Contract Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Contract Negotiator
Contract negotiators need a thorough understanding of contract law and strong skills in communication and listening. This course focuses on these skills in particular. A contract negotiator may find this course useful in order to better understand various contract types, the essential elements of a legal contract, and relevant vocabulary. The negotiation of contracts involves not only understanding legal terms, but also listening to the needs and concerns of the involved parties. The listening exercises in this course may be particularly relevant for those seeking to become a contract negotiator.
Contract Administrator
A contract administrator manages the lifecycle of contracts and agreements. In this role, a strong grasp of contract law, developed in this course, is essential. The course may be useful in helping contract administrators understand the various parts of a contract, the types of contracts, and the elements that make them legally sound. This course also provides practice in legal vocabulary used in contracts and discussions about legal issues. The listening exercises, in which lawyers advise clients, and clients discuss their business concerns, may be useful as well. Those moving into this career may find this course highly relevant.
Paralegal
The role of a paralegal often involves working with legal documents, such as contracts. This course, with its focus on contract law, reading, and listening activities related to legal documents, prepares learners to handle the core responsibilities of a paralegal. The course's specific focus on legal vocabulary, different types of contracts, and essential elements of a legally sound contract helps to build a foundation for a career as a paralegal. Paralegals need a thorough command of legal terminology and practice reading, writing, and speaking about legal matters. This course may also be useful for communication with clients.
Law Clerk
A law clerk assists lawyers and judges with legal research and document preparation, and a good command of legal language is important. This course, which concentrates on reading and listening skills, can help a law clerk succeed. The course's focus on contract law may be useful in helping a law clerk understand the terminology, parts, and types of contracts. The course provides exercises based on real legal texts and dialogues between lawyers and clients, which may be very relevant for a career as a law clerk. A law clerk should consider taking this course, as it can lead to success in this field.
Legal Secretary
A legal secretary provides administrative support to lawyers and law firms, a role where understanding legal terminology and documents is crucial. This course's focus on contract law, together with practice in reading, listening, and using related vocabulary, may be useful for a legal secretary. The coursework provides a working knowledge of the parts of a contract, types of contracts, and essential elements, which may be helpful in drafting and reviewing legal documents. The listening exercises where lawyers give advice and clients discuss problems may be relevant to this career, and this course can help to build a foundation for this field.
Legal Assistant
Legal assistants provide a wide range of administrative and clerical support to lawyers, and a basic understanding of legal concepts and documents is helpful. This course may be useful for a legal assistant, providing a foundation in contract law. The course focuses on key legal vocabulary, reading skills using real legal texts, and listening to lawyer-client discussions. A legal assistant will find this course useful in improving their overall understanding of basic legal English, including the components of a contract, different types of contracts, and the key vocabulary needed to work with them. Those who wish to be a legal assistant may find this course particularly helpful.
Procurement Specialist
Procurement specialists are responsible for negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming procurement specialists. The course's focus on contract law, including the parts of a contract, various types, and legal essentials, provides a foundation for this career. The reading and listening activities may also be helpful for understanding the intricacies of contract language and discussions. This career may find the course's attention to legal vocabulary and the listening exercises with lawyers and clients particularly relevant.
Purchasing Agent
Purchasing agents negotiate and manage contracts with suppliers. This course, with its emphasis on legal vocabulary and contract law, may be useful for those interested in becoming purchasing agents. The course includes information about parts of a contract, the different types of contracts, and the essential legal elements. Purchasing agents can benefit from the reading and listening comprehension exercises contained in the course, focusing on real legal texts and dialogues between lawyers and clients. In this way, this course may be helpful.
Compliance Officer
Compliance officers ensure that a company adheres to legal and regulatory requirements. This course’s exploration of essential legal concepts, such as contract law and its components, aligns well with the needs of the compliance officer. They need to understand the legal nuances of contracts to ensure the corporation complies with regulations. This course’s focus on the essential parts of a legal contract and its different types, plus the importance of legally binding agreements, may be useful for someone in this role. Additionally, the reading and listening practice with legal vocabulary may be helpful for a compliance officer.
Risk Analyst
A risk analyst assesses potential risks, which can include legal risks related to contracts. Risk analysts need a thorough understanding of contract law and legal language. This course, with its focus on contract law, vocabulary, and reading and listening exercises related to legal documents, may be useful in a risk analyst's comprehension of contractual agreements and their implications. The course provides a clear understanding of different types of contracts, what makes them legal, and key vocabulary to use when assessing potential legal risks. A risk analyst should consider this course for its attention to detail.
Claims Adjuster
Claims adjusters investigate insurance claims, often working with contract law and legal agreements. The course, with its focus on contract law, legal vocabulary, reading, and listening exercises related to legal matters, may be useful for a claims adjuster. Claims adjusters may find the course’s discussion of parts of a contract, types of contracts, and essential elements particularly relevant. The practice with legal vocabulary, and listening to client discussions, can help with communication in this field. Those pursuing a claims adjuster role might find this course valuable.
Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents need a basic understanding of contracts, as they often work with sales and lease agreements. This course, which focuses on contract law, may be helpful for real estate agents. The course covers the parts of a contract, the different types, and their essential elements, all of which are useful in real estate transactions. Real estate agents often need to read, understand, and explain contracts to clients. This course may be useful in developing skills in understanding and communicating about contracts. The activities in this course may be relevant for real estate agents.
Business Analyst
A business analyst often works with contracts and agreements when assessing a company's operations and suggesting improvements. This course may be useful for business analysts by introducing concepts of contract law, and how to read and listen in legal contexts. Understanding the elements that make a contract legal, the different types of contracts, and the relevant vocabulary may all be helpful for a business analyst analyzing business agreements. A business analyst may find the listening exercises in which lawyers and clients discuss legal matters particularly relevant for understanding how contracts are used in business.
Financial Advisor
Financial advisors often need to understand contracts related to investments and financial products. A financial advisor who takes this course may find it helpful. The course's focus on contract law may be useful for understanding the terms and conditions of financial agreements. The course may be useful for a financial advisor to understand the parts of a contract and its essential elements, as well as the legal vocabulary involved. Those who wish to be financial advisors and who need to improve their business English will find this course very relevant.
Corporate Counsel
Corporate counsel provides legal advice to companies, which often involves interpreting and drafting contracts. This role typically requires an advanced degree. This course may be useful for prospective corporate counsel who wish to enhance their skills in interpreting contracts. Corporate counsel must be intimately familiar with contracts and their parts, as well as the various types. Those who wish to be corporate counsel will find this course may be useful for increasing their legal business English. The course practices comprehension through exercises in reading and listening.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in English for Business and Law - Contract Law.
Offers a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of contract law principles. It explores the theoretical foundations of contract law and examines key legal doctrines. This book is best used as additional reading to deepen your understanding of the subject matter. It is commonly used as a textbook in law schools and by legal professionals.
Provides a clear and accessible introduction to contract law. It covers the essential elements of a contract, common contract types, and potential legal issues. It is particularly useful for learners who are new to legal concepts and want a simplified overview before diving into more complex materials. This book can serve as a helpful reference tool throughout the course.

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