Frequently Asked Questions

Some Frequently Asked Questions about the Northwestern University Legal English 4-week intensive Professional Development Program designed for students who will be attending an LL.M program in the United States in the fall:

If I apply to The Legal English Program, will I have to submit any additional visa paperwork?

When you register for The Legal English Program through the School of Continuing Studies, the International Office will change the start date on your I-20 to July 23, 2007, and update your financial information to include the cost of tuition for The Legal English Program. This will allow you to arrive up to 30 days prior to the start of the program. You will then continue to use same I-20 for your LL.M program. If you have already been issued an I-20 with a later start date, the International Office will be able to quickly issue a new I-20 for you with the correct information. These changes are simple to make. We will work with you and the International Office to ensure your paperwork is in order.

Do I need to wait until I have received my I-20 documents from Northwestern to enroll in the Legal English program?

No. If possible, you should register for The Legal English Program before you have received your I-20 documents. If you do register for the program after you have received your I-20 documents, this is not a problem and we will work with Northwestern's International Office to issue you a new I-20 with an updated start date and financial information.

How will I benefit from enrolling in this program?

First, you will prepare yourself to excel in your LL.M course work. You will learn about the American legal system and legal terminology in the program's Foundations for Legal Studies courses. At the same time, you will be learning American styles of communication in the legal classroom, including posing questions, expressing your opinion, and engaging in debate. In our Legal Writing and Rhetoric course, you will learn to write about legal issues accurately, concisely, effectively, and persuasively. In our Listening, Speech, and Pronunciation for Law School course, you will practice strategies for communicating effectively and understanding rapidly-spoken English, especially in classroom settings.

Second, you will have time to adjust to American culture and living in Chicago before the start of your LL.M program. This includes recovering from jet lag, learning about the United States and discovering the ways that Americans live, work and relax.

Finally, you'll enjoy getting to know the other participants in the program. Not only will they be your peers in the classroom, they will become your friends across the nation as you explore Northwestern and Chicago together.

For information regarding registration, please see the course listings page or contact us at (312) 503-4846 or pdp@northwestern.edu with your questions.