Understanding Modal Verbs in Legal Case Discussions

Understanding Modal Verbs in Legal Case Discussions

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to listen to a recorded legal case discussion and identify the use of modal verbs.

What do you already know about modal verbs in legal language?

Introduction to Modal Verbs

Modal verbs express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. They include words like 'can,' 'could,' 'may,' 'might,' 'shall,' 'should,' 'must,' and 'ought to.'

Listening to the Recorded Discussion

Play the recorded legal case discussion for the students to listen attentively.

Identifying Modal Verbs

Listen for words like 'should,' 'must,' 'may,' or 'might' in the conversation. Note down instances where these modal verbs are used.

Discussion and Analysis

Discuss with the class the instances of modal verbs they identified and their significance in the legal context.

Interactive Exercise

Provide a worksheet with excerpts from the discussion. Ask students to identify and underline the modal verbs in the provided sentences.

Review and Feedback

Review the completed worksheets together as a class and provide feedback on the correct identification of modal verbs.

Application in Legal Writing

Discuss how the understanding of modal verbs can impact legal writing and the expression of legal concepts.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.