English for Academic Purposes (Legal Studies)

Students who are registered for the LLB program offered by the OUSL are eligible to follow this program

It is not required to apply for this program separately. Student placement is done based on the marks obtained for the English component of the LLB selection test.

Relevant fee will be included in the regular installments of the LLB program.

Ms. Thilini Gunathilake
Program Coordinator, English for Academic Purposes (Legal Studies)
Department of English Language Teaching, OUSL.
wtgun@ou.ac.lk

Academic staff

Ms.Subhashi Wijesinghe
Course Director, English for Academic Purposes (Legal Studies)
Department of English Language Teaching, OUSL.

Ms. Thilini Gunathilake
Program Coordinator, English for Academic Purposes (Legal Studies)
Department of English Language Teaching, OUSL.

1. How many credits are allocated for the English for Legal studies program?

English for Academic Purposes (Legal Studies) is a 12-credit program, which comprises of two six credit courses:
LEE 3604 English for Legal Studies Part I
LEE 3605 English for Legal Studies Part II
 

2. How many study hours are required to complete a credit?

To complete a credit, you need about 50 hours of study. Therefore, to complete 6 credits you will need about 300 hours of study (including preparation for examinations).

 You will be doing only about 60 hours of study in the classroom with the tutor and practicing online. As the Open University is a distance education institution, you are expected to study on your own. This means that you will have to spend about 240 hours over a period of 4 months on your own, studying English.

3. Is English for Legal studies compulsory for all students registered for the LLB program?

 Yes. English for Legal Studies is a compulsory requirement for the LLB.

4. Is there a way to get exempted from English for Legal Studies program?

An exemption from the English for Legal studies program can be considered if you have

• scored very high at the Entry Test
• followed English as a main subject for your first degree

or

• obtained IELTS qualification (Academic – band 5 or above/ general – band 5.5 or above, with not less than 4 for the writing component)

5. What is the duration of this program?

The duration of each course (Part 1/Part 2) is approximately 06 months.

6. What should I know about the assessment and evaluation of this course?

Course assessment consists of 2 components:
Continuous Assessment (CA)
Final evaluation

The CA component for English for Legal Studies consists of 2 Continuous Assessment Tests to assess your progress. The Overall Continuous Assessment Mark (OCAM) will be computed based on CATs. To gain eligibility to sit the Final Examination you should score, a minimum OCAM of 40% at the 02 Continuous Assessment Tests.

7. What is OCAM?

OCAM (Overall Continuous Assessment Mark) = 70% of the best CAT + 30% of the second-best CAT
Being present for both the CATs will increase your chance of scoring a higher OCAM and gaining eligibility to sit the Final Examination.

8. Can I sit the Final Examination even if I miss my CATs?

No. If you do not present yourself for CATs and gain the required marks, you will not be eligible for the Final Examination.

9. What happens if I do not get the eligibility for the Final Examination?

If you fail to present yourself for the 2 CATs and thus fail to gain eligibility to sit the final examination, you are considered a Repeat Student.Repeat students must pay an enhanced fee when they re-register for the program.

10. What happens if I fail to sit the Final Examination or come down in the Final Examination?

Then, you are considered a Re-sit student. Re-sit students must maintain their studentship in the main program (LLB) in order to be called for the examination next year. (To maintain studentship, you will have to pay a fee).

11. How are we assigned to groups?

You are assigned to a group based on your performance at the Entry Test. Lists giving the group numbers of the respective students will be made available on/before the first day of classes. Please attend the classes accordingly. *

*Grouping will not function if the sessions are conducted online.

12. Can I change my group?

No. You are not allowed to change the group to which you are assigned at the CATs. *
*Grouping will not function if the sessions are conducted online.

13. How can I withdraw from the program?

If you wish to withdraw from a program, you should do so by means of written communication addressed to the Senior Assistant Registrar/Student Affairs within two months (02) of Registration. Then, you may be allowed to re-register for that program without being considered a repeat student. Please send a copy of the letter to Head/Dept. of English Language Teaching stating your Registration Number and reason for withdrawal.

14. Whom should I contact if I have a problem/ need a clarification?

If you have any problems while following the course, you could contact the following persons: