Verdicts
Verdicts

Verdicts

Real Court Cases to Argue and Resolve

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LANGUAGE STUDY

120 Pages, 8.5 x 11

Formats: Paperback

Paperback, $28.00 (US $28.00) (CA $37.99)

Publication Date: August 2016

ISBN 9780866474290

Price: $28.00
 
 

Overview

Verdicts invites students into the world of courtroom decision-making through forty real court cases adapted for classroom debate, discussion, and critical thinking. Designed to simulate the role of a jury, each case presents a compelling situation, a summary of key facts, and a set of questions that guide students to evaluate evidence, weigh different perspectives, and reach a reasoned conclusion. The cases range from everyday disputes to unusual legal dilemmas, making them both accessible and thought-provoking for intermediate and advanced English learners.

The book’s photocopiable worksheets equip students with the legal and thematic vocabulary needed to understand each scenario, ensuring that language does not become a barrier to participation. Because students must listen, analyze, persuade, and collaborate, Verdicts naturally develops high-level communication skills and fosters lively discussion. The format requires virtually no preparation from teachers, making it a powerful plug-and-play resource for speaking classes, critical thinking units, integrated-skills courses, and community or workplace programs where problem-solving and decision-making are essential.

Engaging, flexible, and authentic, Verdicts transforms the classroom into a space for reasoned argument, active listening, and real-world language use.

Features

  • Forty real court cases adapted for ESL/EFL classroom use
  • Students take on the role of a jury, evaluating evidence and reaching a verdict
  • Photocopiable worksheets with case-specific vocabulary and guiding questions
  • Highly interactive tasks that build speaking, listening, argumentation, and critical thinking skills
  • No-prep or low-prep format ideal for busy instructors
  • Suitable for intermediate through advanced learners in academic, community, or workplace settings
  • Excellent for pair work, group work, debate activities, and problem-solving lessons

Similar Pro Lingua Learning Titles

  • Discussion Strategies
  • Conversation Strategies
  • Interactive Listening
  • TalkAbouts

Author Biography

Jack Miller, co-author (with Ray Clark) of Verdicts, graduated from Miami University (Ohio) in 1966 and not long after that was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala. He holds a master’s degree in Teaching from Antioch College and another master's degree in English from the University of Wales. He has taught ESL/EFL all over the world, including stints in China, Turkey, and Denmark. He currently teaches at the English Language Program at Ohio State University, working with both undergraduate and graduate international students.