Evaluating the textbook “law” a study at faculty of law ho chi minh city university of technology

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - EVALUATING THE TEXTBOOK “LAW” A STUDY AT FACULTY OF LAW- HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Submitted to the Faculty of English language in partial fulfillment of the Master’s degree in English language Course code: 1641900 By NGUYEN HUYEN QUANG Supervised by NGUYEN THI KIEU THU, PHD HO CHI MINH CITY, March 2018 CERTIFICATION OF THESIS DEFENSE THE THESIS WAS WRITTEN AT HOCHIMINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Academic supervisor: Nguyễn Thị Kiều Thu, Ph.D The thesis defense session was conducted at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) on 6th April, 2018 The Board of Examiners for the Master’s Thesis Defense TT NAME Lê Thị Thanh, Ph.D Nguyễn Đăng Nguyên, Ph.D Trần Quốc Thao, Ph.D Lê Văn Tuyên, Ph.D Nguyễn Hòa Mai Phương, Ph.D FUNCTION Chair Reader Reader Member Secretary Member On behalf of the Board of Examiners Chair Lê Thị Thanh, Ph.D HCMC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY POSTGRADUATE INSTITUTE Ho Chi Minh City, April 2018 MASTER’S THESIS TASK REPORT Student name: Nguyen Huyen Quang Sex:Female Date of birth: 30th March, 1988 Place of birth: Binh Dinh Major: English Language Student code: 1641900023 I- Thesis title: Evaluating the textbook “Law”- A study at Faculty of Law, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology II- Task description and contents: This study focuses on an evaluation of the textbook “Law” that based on the evaluation of students of law at Faculty of Law-HUTECH On the basis of the data collected from a survey based on questionnaire for law students, findings about the suitability of the textbook “Law” for the students’ needs as well as the local needs were drawn out However, a number of aspects of the textbook “Law” were found to be necessarily adjusted and the recommendations were made III- Starting date: 01st August, 2017 IV- Completing date: 18th March, 2018 V- Academic supervisor: Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, Ph.D SUPERVISOR FACULTY DEAN Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, Ph.D Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, Ph.D i CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I certify my authorship of the thesis submitted today entitled: Evaluating the textbook “Law”- A study at Faculty of Law – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology In terms of the statement of Requirements for Theses in Master’s Programs issued by the Higher Degree Committee of Faculty of English language, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Ho Chi Minh City, March 2018 Nguyễn Huyền Quang ii RETENTION AND USE OF THE THESIS I hereby state that I, Nguyen Huyen Quang, being the candidate for the degree of Master of Art (English Language), accept the requirements of the University relating to the retention and use of Master’s Theses deposit in the Library In terms of these conditions, I agree that the original of my thesis deposited in the Library should be accessible for purposes of study and research, in accordance with the normal conditions established by the Librarian for the care, loan and reproduction for theses Ho Chi Minh City, March 2018 Signature: Nguyễn Huyền Quang iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My special thanks are due to all those who have made great contributions to the preparation and completion of the thesis First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my thesis supervisor, Ms Nguyen Thi Kieu Thu, Ph.D, for her constant guidance and invaluable detailed comments on every chapter of the thesis Without her support and guidance, this thesis would never have been completed I am also very grateful to Mr Nguyen Dang Nguyen, Ph.D, who gave me priceless advice and assistance in the process of doing the research In addition, I would like to thank the Faculty of Law – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology for organizing the extracurricular activity in teaching Legal English I would like to express my gratitude to the Legal English teachers of University of Law of Ho Chi Minh City, Human Resources Managers and staffs of YKVN, KevinChia, Phuoc& Partners, KPMG, Unilever for their enthusiastic participation in the survey and their permission for the information to be used I am also thankful to the law students, who were joining in the course and were willing to give their own opinions and make useful suggestions for the textbook “Law” Last, but not least, I warmly thank my family for their encouragement and help iv ABSTRACT Legal English is a new branch at Faculty of Law of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology that has not included in the curriculum of Faculty of Law As a new branch, the textbook “Law” in the series of Career Paths of Express Publishing has been first applied as the extracurricular activity for the Faculty With an aim to improve the quality of the textbook “Law”, this study focuses on an evaluation of the textbook “Law” that based on the evaluation of students of law in terms of aims and approaches, format and organization, illustration, topics, accompanying materials, language contents, language skills and activities contained in this textbook The main method of this research was mixed method design which includes both qualitative and quantitative data On the basis of the data collected from a survey based on questionnaire for law students, findings about the suitability of the textbook “Law” for the students’ needs as well as the local needs were drawn out However, a number of aspects of the textbook “Law” were found to be necessarily adjusted and the recommendations were made Key words: ESP; Textbook; Material evaluation v TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY i RETENTION AND USE OF THE THESIS ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii ABSTRACT iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF TABLES viii Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the study 1.2 Problem statement .2 1.3 Purpose of the study 1.4 Thesis statement 1.5 Scope of the study 1.6 Significance of the study 1.7 Limitations of the study .4 1.8 Organization of the study CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 English for Specific Purposes (ESP) 2.1.1 Overview of English for Specific Purposes 2.1.2 Relationship between General English (GE) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) 2.1.3 Legal English and its characteristics .9 2.2 Materials 12 2.2.1 Definition of materials 12 2.2.2 Materials evaluation criteria 13 2.2.3 Components of good materials .14 2.2.4 Materials for legal English 17 2.3 Materials evaluation 21 2.3.1 Definition of materials evaluation .21 vi 2.3.2 Purpose of materials evaluation 21 2.3.3 Framework for materials evaluation .22 2.3.4 Conceptual framework for materials evaluation in the current study 26 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 28 3.1 Research question 28 3.2 Research design .28 3.3 Research site 29 3.4 Description of the textbook “Law” 30 3.5 Sample and sampling procedures 31 3.5.1 Selection of participant 31 3.5.2 Characteristics of participant 32 3.5.3 Research instrument 32 3.6 Data collection procedures 34 3.7 Data analysis procedures .34 CHAPTER 36 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 36 4.1 Introduction 36 4.2 Results 36 4.2.1 Aims and approaches (Question 1, 2, 3, 4) .36 4.2.2 Formats and organizations of the textbook (Question 5, 6, 7, 8) 40 4.2.3 Illustrations of the textbook (Question 9, 10) 45 4.2.4 Accompanying materials (Question 11) 47 4.2.5 Topics (Question 12, 13, 14) 47 4.2.6 Language contents (Question 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) 50 4.2.7 Skills (Question 20, 21, 22, 23) 55 4.2.8 Activities (Question 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30) 58 4.2.9 Students’ expectations about the textbook 64 4.3 Discussions on remarkable strengths and weaknesses of the textbook “Law” .66 vii CHAPTER 5: RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 75 5.1 Recommendations 75 5.1.1 Recommendations from opinions of law students 75 5.1.2 Recommendations from stakeholders .77 5.1.2.1 Recommendations from Legal English teachers' opinions 77 5.1.2.2 Recommendations from the administrator' opinions .78 5.1.2.3 Recommendations from enterprises' opinions 80 5.1.3 Synthesis of recommendations 81 5.2 Conclusion 82 REFERENCES 84 APPENDIX 1: DESCRIPTION OF 15 UNITS IN THE TEXTBOOK “LAW” APPENDIX 2: SAMPLE LESSON PLAN APPENDIX 3: QUESTIONNAIRE (Vietnamese Version) 13 APPENDIX 4: QUESTIONNAIRE (English Version) 18 APPENDIX 5: 22 REPLACEMENT TEST TO ENTER THE TRIAL LEGAL ENGLISH CLASS22 APPENDIX 6: 27 EXAMPLES ON LATIN TERMS 27 APPENDIX 7: 31 EXAMPLES ON OLD-FASHIONED WORDS 31 APPENDIX 4: QUESTIONNAIRE (English Version) QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EVALUATING MATERIAL “LAW” (For Law Students who have joined into legal English class at HUTECH University) This questionnaire is designed for Law students who have joined in legal English class, HUTECH University It aims at collecting information in order to evaluate material “Law” to result in contributing to the teaching of legal English Please write your answers in the space provided, write the number into the box or circle your choice (Several answers can be chosen) Your answers are very decisive to the success of the study PART A: INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURRICULUM OF LEGAL ENGLISH Is it reasonable to apply Legal English as a main subject in legal curriculum? a Yes b No If yes, which year of students to study is available? a b c d If no, Please give your reasons ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Do you think that legal English textbooks should be focused on a particular section of the legal English, for example, drafting contracts and other legal document, skills in negotiating in contracts, legal English terms used in forensic linguistics or legal discourse? Please let us know which field is the most important? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… If given a choice, for which legal English section would you like to learn? Please give your reasons ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… PART B: EVALUATING THE TEXTBOOK “Law” OF EXPRESS PUBLISHING Instruction: No Options for evaluating The textbook is suitable to students' need in studying Legal English The content in each lesson is clear Reading comprehension, vocabulary, listening, speaking, writing sections are ordered logically The textbook reminds in knowledge for learners to review The textbook reminds in knowledge for learners to review Illustrations are very attractive 10 The illustrations are functional in involving your attention to the lesson content 11 Speed of recordings is suitable for your comprehension 12 The topics meet your interests 13 The topics are interesting 14 The topics offer the possibility of enriching your awareness of your Legal English 15 The textbook offers hands-on experience when practicing legal English 16 The textbook offers enough a number of necessary grammatical structures 17 The language in the textbook helps learners understand obviously the Lawyers' communication in the practicing law The textbook provides enough the necessary specific vocabulary used in law The specific vocabulary in the textbook meets students' needs in studying Legal English 18 19 20 Reading section is suitable to learners' level 21 Listening section is suitable to learners' level 22 Speaking section is suitable to learners' level 23 Writing section is suitable to learners' level 24 The activities in the textbook help learners improve their language skills The activities in the textbook help learners improve their practicing in law 25 26 The activities in the textbook help learners review their 27 28 29 knowledge from previous lessons The activities in the textbook help learners feel more confident Pair work, group work, individual work is suitable to your English level In your opinion, in the textbook “Law” which section should be added more activities? Get ready Reading Vocabulary Listening Speaking Writing 30 In your opinion, in the textbook “Law” which section should be reduced activities? Get ready Reading Vocabulary Listening Speaking Writing PART C: OTHER QUESTIONS Please answer these questions below 31 Which items in the textbook "Law" students like the best? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… 32 Which items in the textbook "Law" students not interested in? ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Thank you for your help APPENDIX 5: REPLACEMENT TEST TO ENTER THE TRIAL LEGAL ENGLISH CLASS ĐỀ THI ANH VĂN KIỂM TRA ĐẦU VÀO LỚP THỬ NGHIỆM TIẾNG ANH PHÁP LÝ Ngày thi Thời gian làm Mã đề Tên sinh viên MSSV Lớp : 10/4/2017 : 90 phút : 001 : : : PART I: VOCABULARY (20 pts.) Choose the best answer (a, b, c and d) The little girl beautiful in this long dress a wears b feels c looks d dresses I’d like to make a to 03568926, please a.call b dial c ring d phone He is very old He needs somebody to look _him a at b after c for d by He wanted to see me He wanted to _me a speak to b talk c answer d watch The train will leave the station _ ten minutes a for b until c in d during c at d from They ask her where she came a for b out of She has been out of work for a long time a kept out b disappointed c working outdoor d unemployed What’s your new phone _? 091-4365559 a Dial b figure c letter d number What happened to her when she was in Paris? a at b from c to d by c love d danger 10 She looks happy She is in a debt b trouble 11 Mrs Smith is _ her holiday with friends in the country a living b doing c going d spending 12 I’m _about my examinations next week a tired b bored c worried d interested 13 The noise was it woke everyone up a so loudly that b very loudly that c so loud that d so loudly that 14 I want to tell you the good news but you didn’t give me a a chance b second c word d time 15 They computer games in their free time a would like playing b like playing c like play d would like play 16 On the way, the bus stopped to pick up a a customer b rider c pedestrian 17 She finished her work _ she went t o the market d passenger a Although b However c After d After that 18 Fish don’t noise as other pets a go out b give c sound d make 19 The exercise is difficult, so we couldn’t it a terribly b too c very d All are correct 20 She was born Monday, March 13, at midday a at b by c on d to PART II: READING COMPREHENSION (20 pts) Read the text carefully and then choose the best option among a, b, c or d (10 pts.) WHY DO BIRDS SING? People usually sing because they like music or because they feel (21) They express their happiness by (22) _ When a bird sings, however, (23) _ song usually means much more than that the bird is happy Birds have many reasons for singing They sing (24) give information Their songs are their language The (25) beautiful songs are sung by male (cock)birds They sing when they want to attract a female (hen) bird It is their _ (26) of saying that they are looking for a wife Birds also sing to tell (27) _ birds to keep away To a bird, his tree or even a branch of a tree, is his (28) He does not want strangers coming near him, so he sings to warn them (29) _ a bird cannot sing well, he usually has some other means of giving important information Some birds dance, spread out their tails or make other signs One bird has a most unusual way of (30) wife It builds a small, garden of shells and flowers 21 a happy b angry c upset 22 a to sing b.singing c.sings d furious d sing 23 a those b some c.these d its 24 a.to b.in order c as d so 25 a few b more c most d less 26 a way b case c situation d step 27 a.other b others c.the other d another 28 a the house b.houses c home d hole 29 a If b.Unless c Yet d Then 30 a finding b to find c finds d to findings Read the article below and circle the letter (a, b, c or d) next to the word that best fits each space.(10pts.) People all over the (31) _listen to the BBC World Service radio (32) of news, comments and talks The habit started during World War II when the BBC gained a (33) _for telling the (34) _ Apart from the (35) _it provides, The World Service help many people to (36) _their English if they listen (37) The BBC also has a (38) _department “English by Television and Radio”, which produces programs for (39) _language learning at (40) _levels 31 a.city b company c world d 32 a programs b performances c shows d lessons 33 a some reputations b reputation c reputation d 34 a real b true c.truth d recent 35 a comments b information c directions d suggestions 36 a improves b.improved c improving d improve 37 a rarely b regularly c sometimes d seldom 38 a regular b normal c ordinary d special 39 a English b French c Spanish d Chinese 40 a usual b various c similar d same country All are incorrect PART III: WRITING (30pts.) From the following suggested words and phrases I the given sequences, make all the changes and additions necessary to produce sentences (20pts.) 41 of/three/house/this one/big 42 He/so ill/he/not/go/work 43 It/important/your brother/stop/smoke/at once 44 John/wait/girlfriend/since o’clock 45 We/receive/package/John/yesterday 46 when/you/get/plane/please fasten/seat belt 47 You/can borrow/book/if/you/promise/keep/clean 48 It/kind/him/meet/us/airport 49 I/go/school/age/six 50 I/use/swim/pool/but/now I/not anymore Essay (120-150 words) (10pts.) Writing: Describe a person in your family who you love best APPENDIX 6: EXAMPLES ON LATIN TERMS Latin words Ad hoc Meaning in English for this purpose Meaning in Vietnamese Đặc biệt; khơng dự tính trước; không theo thể thức Ex: Party B can pay for Party A lump sums on an ad hoc basis (Bên B tốn cho bên A lần vào thời điểm bất kỳ.) Affidavit witnessed, signed Bản khai có tuyên thệ statement Ex: The witness’s affidavit was presented to the court as evidence (Lời khai nhân chứng xem chứng trước tòa) Bona fide in good faith tình Ex: There was no defence available to the Tenant such as a bona fide purchaser (Khơng có chứng có lợi cho người người sở hữu nhà có người mua tình.) Caveat warning Sự báo trước cho biết; ngừng kiện Ex: A caveat filed against the probate of a will (Dù cho có tình dự kiến xảy nằm kế hoạch gây bất lợi cho di chúc chứng thực.) De facto In fact Trên thực tế (khơng thức) Ex: de facto standard: Chuẩn phổ biến (nhưng không thức) Ex: Although his title was prime minister, he was defacto president of the country (Mặc dù chức vụ ông ta thủ tướng thực tế ông ta tổng thống đất nước.) De jure In right Hợp pháp mặt pháp lý; hình thành theo thể thức hợp pháp Ex: De jure recognition of a government (Sự cơng nhận phủ mặt pháp lý.) Et cetera (etc.) And so on Vân vân Exempli gratia (e.g) For example Ví dụ Ex parte (ex.p.) By a party without notice Của bên, phía Ex: The hearing should only be held “ex parte” as necessary (Buổi điều trần nên tổ chức bên mà không cần thông báo trước xét thấy cần thiết.) Id est (i.e.) That is Có nghĩa In camera Hearing a case in private Xử kín In curia In open court Xử cơng khai In situ In its original situation chỗ Inter alia Among other things Không kể khác Ipso facto By the fact Thực tế Prima facie At the first sight Tình tiết vụ án lần xử Sub judice In the course of trial Giai đoạn xét xử Ex: This is civil war, and civil wars are ipso facto destructive for all involved (Đây chiến tranh dân sự, chiến tranh dân thực tế phá hoại tất cả.) Per pro (pp) On behalf of another Ký thay, thay mặt cho Ex: On an adjusted basis, net income per pro forma diluted share was $0 (Trên sở điều chỉnh, thu nhập ròng cổ phiếu dự phòng chia $ 0.) Per se By itself Thực chất, thuộc chất, thân Ex: I have completed the report per se,” the employee showed his own report told his boss, “and had to stay up all night to complete it (Nhân viên trình báo cáo cho sếp nói: “chính tơi hồn thành báo cáo phải đêm để hồn thành nó”.) Pro rata In proportion Chia theo tỉ lệ Ex: If costs go up, there will be a pro rata increase in prices (Nếu chi phí tăng lên có tăng giá theo tỉ lệ.) quasi As if it were Có vẻ như, y thể Ex: Each bishop is assisted by at least two officers with judicial or quasi-judicial powers (Mỗi giám mục trợ giúp hai viên chức có quyền hạn tư pháp bán tư pháp) Ultra vires Beyond the power Ngoài phạm vi quyền hạn, vượt quyền Ex: She was contacted by the city of the court because of her ultra vires actions (Vì ta có hành động tinh vi nên bị Tịa án bang gọi lên.) Videlicet (viz) namely Đó là, có nghĩa là, nói cách khác, tức Ex: There are a number of kinds of contract, joint venture and purchasing contract, videlicet (Có nhiều loại hợp đồng khác nhau, chẳng hạn hợp đồng hợp tác đầu tư hay hợp đồng mua bán.) APPENDIX 7: EXAMPLES ON OLD-FASHIONED WORDS Older words Meaning in English Meaning in Vietnamese The aforementioned/the Set out above/mention Những điều đề cập đến foregoing above The undermentioned Set out below/mention Những điều nói đến below Ex: The undermentioned is witness to this contract Hereafter After this Sau đây, Ex: This agreement (hereafter referred to as the “Agreement or “Contract”) dated_, is between (Vendor or Consultant, hereafter collectively and individually referred to as the “Contractor”) and the District Board of Trustees of Valencia College, Florida (hereafter referred to as the “College” or “Valencia”) Hereby In this way/by this Do đó, nhờ đó, biện pháp này, cách Herein In this (document) đây, điểm này, tài liệu Hereto To this Theo đây, vấn đề này, đính kèm theo Ex: In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Parties hereby agree that Contractor will timely and competently perform the Services as outlined in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and incorporated by this reference Hereof Of this Về Herewith With this Kèm theo Notwithstanding Despire Tuy, dù Thereafter After that Sau đó, sau Thereby In that way/ by that Do đó, cách đó,theo cách ấy, phương tiện đó, có lien quan tới Therein In that (document) chỗ đó, đó, Ex: The house and all the possessions therein Thereof Of that Từ đó, đó, việc Thereto To that Thêm vào đó, ngồi Therewith With that Với đó, thêm vào đó, ngồi ... I- Thesis title: Evaluating the textbook ? ?Law? ??- A study at Faculty of Law, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology II- Task description and contents: This study focuses on an evaluation of the. .. the textbook ? ?Law? ?? that based on the evaluation of students of law at Faculty of Law- HUTECH On the basis of the data collected from a survey based on questionnaire for law students, findings about... i CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I certify my authorship of the thesis submitted today entitled: Evaluating the textbook ? ?Law? ??- A study at Faculty of Law – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology