Description

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.

Key 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

Recommended Pro Lingua Learning Titles

Discussion Strategies - David Kehe and Peggy Dustin Kehe - Provides structured tools that help students articulate ideas clearly and respectfully during case debates.
Conversation Strategies - David Kehe and Peggy Dustin Kehe - Supports students in managing turn-taking, expressing opinions, and responding effectively--skills essential for jury-style discussions.
Interactive Listening - David Kehe and Peggy Dustin Kehe - Improves real-world listening accuracy, helping students interpret case information and peer arguments more effectively.
TalkAbouts - Deborah Gordon - Offers picture-based prompts that build confidence in expressing ideas before tackling more complex legal cases.
American Legal English - Anne O'Connell and Michael Berman - Introduces foundational legal vocabulary and concepts that enrich students' understanding of the cases in Verdicts.