GUILTY AS CHARGED! CONDUCTING MOCK TRIALS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

GUILTY AS CHARGED! CONDUCTING MOCK TRIALS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

M. Selec, Anita

This paper explains how to organize a mock murder trial in a both ESL and ESP classrooms. Although focusing on mock jury trials of a literary character, the paper does explore many other options for ESP and ESL university courses for non-English majors. First the paper briefly states the theoretical basis and benefits of mock jury trials. Conducting mock trials is content-based instruction which utilizes critical thinking skills. Both CBI and critical thinking have been documented as effective teaching methods in teaching English to nonnative speakers. Students actively employ all four skills while preparing and conducting mock trails: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Mock trials are student-centered learning and each one is unique because students determine the course and outcome. After theory, the paper delves into the practical aspects of conducting a trial. Starting with possible applications in other disciplines and the possibility of interdisciplinary cooperation. It gives university professors a suggested blueprint or plan to follow for implementing mock trials in their classrooms from organizing students, determining their roles, where to find laws, legal definitions, and the roles of prosecution, defense, jury, and witnesses. The structure of a trial is covered as well as follow up activities for students after the trial is finished. Keywords: mock jury trials, content-based instruction, critical thinking, ESP, ESL

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2014

3367