Specialised TEFL: Teaching Legal English

Harvey O’Leary is one of The TEFL Academy’s teacher trainers. With over 30 years in TEFL, he has taught many different aspects of English, including Aviation and Legal English. Here he answers our questions on teaching Legal English.

Stepping into Legal English

Have you ever thought about teaching Legal English? My route into this specialism wasn’t planned or strategic, but instead grew naturally out of a real classroom need. 

While working with a small group of first-year Indian law students, it quickly became clear that although their general English was strong, it wasn’t quite enough for the demands of a law degree taught through English. They recognised this themselves and actively sought extra support with Legal English, particularly with understanding lectures, reading complex legal texts, and producing formal academic writing.

At the time, the students were studying core modules such as Contract Law, Criminal Law, Legal Methods, Constitutional Law, and Legal Writing and Research. Their difficulties weren’t really about understanding legal concepts, for they understood the law. 

The real challenge lay in accessing those concepts through English. 

Dense case judgments, unfamiliar terminology, rigid academic conventions, and the precise language required in problem questions and essays often slowed them down or knocked their confidence.

I taught the group for six hours a week over two academic terms, initially working from a fairly structured Legal English syllabus. 

One of the biggest surprises was how quickly their needs changed. Early lessons focused heavily on legal vocabulary and reading skills, but as the term progressed, the emphasis shifted towards case analysis, essay structure, referencing, and, crucially, understanding and responding to written feedback from their tutors.

Being able to adapt the syllabus in real time, often using feedback directly from the law faculty, proved essential. It reinforced a key lesson: teaching Legal English isn’t about delivering a fixed body of content, but about responding flexibly to learners’ immediate academic and professional needs.

What is Legal English?

Legal English is a specialised form of English used to communicate legal ideas clearly, accurately, and appropriately in academic and professional contexts. It is characterised by a formal register, carefully chosen vocabulary, and precise sentence structures, where even small changes in wording can significantly alter meaning.

For teachers, Legal English is not simply about pushing learners towards greater fluency. Instead, it involves helping them operate confidently within the conventions of legal communication. This includes developing the ability to interpret statutes and case law, draft formal documents such as contracts and memoranda, structure legal essays and problem answers, take part in oral tasks like presentations, negotiations, and mooting, and apply correct academic research and referencing practices.

From the learner’s point of view, Legal English goes far beyond what might be considered Advanced General English. 

It is a distinct register with its own rules, expectations, and communicative goals. 

Mastery involves understanding not just what to say, but how, when, and why particular language choices are made in legal contexts. Effective Legal English teaching, therefore, bridges the gap between general language competence and the very specific demands of legal study and professional practice.

What’s the difference between General English and Legal English?

One of the first things students notice is how different Legal English feels from the English they use every day. General English allows flexibility, paraphrasing, and stylistic variation. Legal English, by contrast, relies on precision, consistency, and fixed terminology.

Words that appear interchangeable in everyday use may have distinct legal meanings, and small grammatical choices can carry significant weight. 

Editor’s note: Legal English (also known as legalese) uses Latin terms, archaic terminology and complex grammatical structures which are not common in General English.

Accuracy matters more than creativity, and clarity often takes priority over fluency. 

Read more: Accuracy VS Fluency: What’s The Big Deal?

As teachers, our role is to help learners make this shift in mindset ie from expressing ideas freely to expressing them carefully and exactly within legal constraints.

Who can teach Legal English?

A common misconception is that only qualified lawyers can teach Legal English. 

In reality, many Legal English teachers come from a TEFL background and have no formal legal training at all. What matters far more is having a recognised TEFL qualification, experience teaching Upper-Intermediate to Advanced learners, familiarity with English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and a willingness to research legal concepts as you go.

Read more: CEFR Levels Explained

In my case, previous experience teaching IELTS and academic English was incredibly useful. Skills such as teaching formal writing, analysing texts, and helping students interpret feedback transferred directly into the Legal English classroom. 

While some employers may prefer candidates with a legal background, many prioritise strong teaching skills and the ability to adapt content to learner needs.

In terms of finding work, opportunities can be found through private training companies, language schools offering ESP courses, universities, and law schools. Increasingly, teachers also find Legal English work online, either through specialist platforms or by offering private tuition to law students and professionals. Networking with academic institutions and highlighting ESP experience on your CV can make a big difference.

Who needs Legal English?

Legal English learners may include:

• undergraduate and postgraduate law students, 
• practising lawyers and solicitors, 
• foreign-trained legal professionals adapting to English-speaking jurisdictions,
• corporate and compliance professionals, 
• and staff working in government or NGO legal contexts.

In my experience with first-year law students, motivation was strong – as their academic success or professional progress depends on accurate communication – but anxiety was common. Many felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of reading and the unfamiliar style of legal writing. 

Legal English classes offered a space to slow things down, unpack language, and ask questions they didn’t always feel comfortable raising in lectures. 

Crucially, these students were studying law through English, not studying English itself. Recognising this helped shape lessons that were supportive, practical, and directly relevant to their degree.

What are the biggest challenges of teaching Legal English?

Teaching Legal English does come with challenges, especially if you don’t have a legal background. 

Some of the challenges I faced, such as unfamiliar terminology and dense texts, are common across most Legal English contexts. Others were more specific to my situation, particularly the academic pressure faced by first-year law students adjusting to university-level expectations.

Managing cognitive load is a key issue. 

Law students already deal with complex ideas, and language difficulties can easily add to that stress. In my classes, students struggled with interpreting case judgments, understanding essay questions and marking criteria, responding effectively to tutor feedback, and avoiding an overly informal tone in writing.

To tackle this, I relied on familiar ESP strategies: breaking texts into manageable sections, translating legal language into plain English, modelling sentence structures, recycling key vocabulary, and adapting lessons based on tutor feedback. Flexibility was vital. As students progressed through their modules, the Legal English syllabus evolved alongside them — and that responsiveness made all the difference.

Rewards and takeaways

The most rewarding part of teaching Legal English is seeing students gain confidence in a language that once felt intimidating. 

Watching learners move from confusion to clarity, especially in their written work, is hugely satisfying. Even small improvements can have a noticeable impact on grades, participation, and self-belief.

Teaching Legal English also highlights the real value of ESP teaching. When students can immediately apply what they learn to their studies or work, motivation naturally increases. 

For me, the experience also reinforced the importance of collaboration. Working alongside subject tutors and responding to real academic demands made the teaching feel purposeful and genuinely impactful.

Read more: What Is English For Specific Purposes And How Can I Teach It?

How much can you earn teaching Legal English? 

Legal English often commands higher rates than General English due to its specialised nature and the level of learners involved. 

In my case, I worked for a private company providing targeted Legal English support. Rates can vary widely depending on location and context, but typically range from £20–£50 per hour for private or online lessons, with higher rates for corporate or in-house training.

Other common sources of work include universities, law schools, and professional training providers, often on short-term or part-time contracts. Working hours can be irregular, as many learners juggle lessons with demanding academic or professional schedules. However, motivated students and clear outcomes often make Legal English teaching both financially and professionally rewarding.

Tips for TEFL teachers considering teaching Legal English

• Flexibility is key. 
• A thorough needs analysis at the start is essential, but be prepared for those needs to change. In my experience, students’ priorities shifted quickly as their law courses progressed.
• Where possible, work with subject tutors. Feedback from law lecturers helped me identify recurring language issues and tailor lessons accordingly. 
• Remember, your role is to teach language, not law. Focus on clarity, structure, and accuracy. 
• Teach plain English alongside legal terminology, use authentic materials in moderation, and don’t be afraid to adapt your syllabus as you go. 
• Where appropriate, certifications like TOLES can also provide motivation and structure.

Is teaching Legal English worth it for TEFL teachers?

Legal English is one of the more challenging TEFL specialisms, but it is also one of the most rewarding. 

It’s ideal for teachers who enjoy working with Advanced learners, tackling complex material, and responding creatively to changing needs. Unlike General English, progress is often immediate and visible, as students apply new skills directly to their studies or professional work.

Do I need to be a qualified lawyer to teach Legal English?

No, you don’t need to be a lawyer to teach Legal English. 

Curiosity, preparation, and a willingness to learn alongside your students matter far more. If you’re looking to move beyond General English, develop a valuable niche, and make a real difference to learners’ academic and professional lives, Legal English is well worth exploring.

So why not take the next step? Start researching Legal English resources, speak to institutions offering ESP courses, or try supporting a small group of law students. You may find, as I did, that it’s a specialisation that challenges you, develops you, and keeps your teaching fresh and meaningful.

What’s the first step to a fulfilling career teaching Legal English? Taking a high-quality TEFL course!

Author Bio

Written by

Teacher in the Field

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

Teacher in the Field represents our TEFL Academy global community sharing their real-world experiences from classrooms and institutions across the world. From diving into TEFL to chomping down on chow mein in China, to navigating your first-day nerves in Spain, our collective voice brings authentic stories, insights, and practical advice right from those living the adventure. Read Teacher in the Field's story →