OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This advanced ESL legal English vocabulary lesson offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for C1 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss high-profile court cases, the people involved, and their significance.
• Expand their vocabulary with advanced legal English terms used in trials.
• Watch a video about Nicolas Sarkozy’s trial and complete activities based on it.
• Practice using key legal nouns and verbs through sentence transformation exercises.
• Engage in a creative activation discussing verdicts, allegations, and high-profile cases.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In the preview for this advanced ESL legal English vocabulary lesson, students explore connections between court cases, crimes, high-profile individuals, and media coverage. They discuss which types of high-profile individuals are often involved in trials and the crimes they might be accused of. Students consider how media attention influences trials and public perception. Using vocabulary such as conviction, allegations, acquittal, and innocence, students complete high-profile trial headlines, define key terms in their own words, and discuss what makes a trial historic or influential. This section encourages critical thinking and prepares students to engage with the video content.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a short video about former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years in prison for illegally funding his 2007 election campaign, while denying wrongdoing. During the activity, students answer questions about the trial, including his conviction, acquittal on certain charges, and public statements. They complete exercises filling in key phrases from the video and practice identifying legal processes such as testimony, appeals, and sentencing. This activity emphasizes comprehension of advanced legal terminology and its practical use in real-world contexts.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

After watching, students discuss questions related to Sarkozy’s trial, including the verdict, his claims of innocence, and the wider implications for public trust and political systems. They reflect on whether justice is typically served in high-profile cases. Students also complete exercises transforming sentences by changing nouns to verbs or vice versa, reinforcing their understanding of key legal vocabulary in different grammatical contexts. This section consolidates vocabulary learning and promotes critical discussion at a C1 level.

VERDICTS, ALLEGATIONS, & HIGH-PROFILE CASES IN FOCUS

Students choose one high-profile trial—historical, contemporary, or fictional—and research its background if needed. They discuss key facts, the people involved, the outcome, media coverage, and any controversial or significant aspects using target vocabulary. Students can also choose talking points such as famous trials, fictional trials in media, legal cases from their country, the role of lawyers or jurors, and current high-profile trials worldwide. This activity encourages real-world application of advanced legal English terms and fosters discussion, opinion sharing, and critical thinking.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ADVANCED ESL LEGAL ENGLISH VOCABULARY LESSON

This lesson helps students develop a strong understanding of legal English vocabulary used in high-profile trials. It encourages active speaking and discussion, enhancing fluency and confidence. Students improve comprehension skills by watching a real-world video and analyzing trial details. Sentence transformation exercises strengthen their ability to use nouns and verbs flexibly. The activation provides a meaningful context for applying vocabulary while promoting critical thinking about justice, media influence, and the political system. Teachers gain a structured lesson plan with clear objectives, ready-to-use materials, and engaging content suitable for advanced C1 learners.