ABSTRACT

Agnieszka in her talk will make a case that one of the main roles of teachers is to equip legal English learners with proper self-learning strategies for the fast-paced world of the future.

Over the years Agnieszka has  discovered the truth of the following, seemingly controversial, statements: “Teaching does not automatically lead to learning” and “Learning does not start and finish in the classroom.” If we additionally realise that learning is an adaptive mechanism vital for survival, then the teacher’s role acquires a new perspective.

To become an independent learner, the legal professional needs to be aware of what to learn and how to learn. Therefore, the teacher’s guidance rests on two pillars:
– teaching legal collocations allows learners to identify the “what” of their own learning;
– instructing learners on how to learn, which strategies work most or least effectively, may mark a turning point in the teacher-student relationship.

There is no telling of what the future holds in store, thus the adequate skills and independence of legal English learners may amount to their survival in the workplace reality.

Biography

Agnieszka Chojecka (Ms)

‘I am an independent English tutor with over 23 years of experience in designing courses for legal, financial and business English learners. 

I studied English Philology at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland. Thanks to my first business and legal English students, most of whom valued their time and expected fast language progress, I have developed highly effective teaching and learning methods. 

Since 2004 I have worked exclusively with legal and financial professionals designing individual and group courses for recognised Polish law firms and legal departments of international companies in Poland.

Outside of work my fascination with education continues as I avidly read about recent developments in psychology, neurolinguistics, explore memorising techniques or delve into the Socratic method of teaching. One of my teaching goals is to encourage legal English students to become independent language learners.’