Program Types & Tips Community Forums & Discussions Comparative Law Forums The line "you don't know how lucky you are" from a Beatles song also expresses a common attitude among new and potential U.S. citizens. Law Day has a special meaning for this group. They are already familiar with their own countries' legal systems but they may not know about the role of the U.S. legal system -- it's time for an information exchange. Law Day presents the perfect opportunity. Comparative Law Forums Comparative law forums bring legal resource people with expertise in constitutional and immigration law into English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) classrooms to lead discussions on the role of law in the students' home countries versus the United States. A lawyer, judge, or legal scholar (or some combination) begins the discussion with a presentation on our justice system, stressing the importance of diversity and our shared vision. The forum can focus on theoretical topics such as: the importance of a written Constitution, the role of precedent, and the roots of common law; or more practical topics including racial discrimination, rights of legal immigrants, rights of the accused, right to appeal traffic and parking tickets, presumed innocence, and the role of police, lawyers and judges (Who are they? What do they do? How do they get their jobs? What educational background do they have?) Suggested Focuses: Access to justice Continuing issues in voting rights Redistricting What can be done about racial conflict? Mediation as an alternative method of solving conflicts Involving the Audience During a forum, students also can be asked to describe their impressions of the U.S. justice system, lawyers, courts and police. Perhaps they have misconceptions or know more than you might expect. Discussion leaders can ask questions such as: What comes to mind when you think of the law in your home country or in the U.S.? Where do you get information about the U.S. legal system from TV, word of mouth, direct experience? What would happen to you if you were accused of stealing in your country; in the U.S.? Judges can review the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship as well as naturalization procedures with the class. Where to Go? Who to Target? ESOL classes are taught in a variety of settings. Intermediate and advanced community college classes are probably the most fertile ground for this type of forum because the students usually have a basic working knowledge of the English language. In programs offered by local or state departments of education or community groups, students may have limited English proficiency. In such classrooms, bilingual lawyers or translators will be needed. Also, many of these ESOL classes have students who speak a variety of languages. Targeting language-specific programs or community colleges is probably your best bet. Tips Remember to speak slowly and enunciate carefully. Use diagrams, outlines, charts and other visual aids. Write the most important points on a chalkboard. If it seems that the students do not understand a particular point, restate it in a different way. Talk with teachers in advance and ask how they would like to structure the forum. To prepare students for the discussion, ask the teacher about the feasibility of a writing assignment. For example, students could write a paragraph describing an experience that they had with the law, courts or police in their home country. The resource person could then comment and address issues including: How would a similar situation be handled in the United States? Why would it be different? What principles of the U.S. system come into play? As always, speakers should remember to tailor their comments to the students levels of understanding. Many may be very familiar with the law in their home countries, either through business or personal experiences. Be sensitive to the fact that some students may be unwilling or afraid to discuss their experiences with the law. Seeking New Americans? To locate ESOL classes, contact: state literacy offices state departments of education community colleges immigrant services programs refugee groups teachers of English as a Second or Other Language (TSOL), whose state group names are usually TSOL preceded by the state s two-letter postal abbreviation. For example, the Virginia group would be VATSOL. You might also want to check out our information for presenting a program on naturalization. >>Community Forums & Discussions Main Page >>Traditional Forums >>Virtual Forums >>Forum Formats >>Contacts & Resources >>Comparative Law Forums >>Community Conversations on Pluralism >>Democracy As a Discussion >>Humanities: Setting Up a Reading Program Reaching the Community Home | Program Types & Tips Home