ADJUSTING CURRICULUM TO THE STUDENTS’ NEEDS

Valentina V. Stepanova
PhD, associate professor, Department of foreign languages, Law Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
E-mail: stepanova_vv@phur.ru

Abstract

Educational programme is a product that has to be competitive and attractive on the world-wide market of education. Set up of a number of curricula in a certain sphere of studies it shapes future lives, welfare and careers of their audience. Curriculum of a discipline is only of some value if it fits into the whole puzzle where each of the subjects complements the others and joins in the flow of knowledge within the general direction.
Curriculum, being the essential part of the study programme, is a many-faceted document giving answers to many questions. It sets out the framework of the course, defines requirements to the candidates, and outlines the main objectives, content, and outcomes. Playing the role of a constitution with a scope of what to do and how to do, this document is far from being rigid and universal for all times and purposes.
This research looks at curriculum of Legal Documents Translation as part of linguistic programme of Legal Translation and Interpreting at Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University). It is devoted to the theoretical and empirical analysis of curriculum development in terms of the best satisfaction of students’ needs. The scopes of expected competences to get the desired qualification in this field reflect varied knowledge and skills. Curriculum development and comprehensive teaching of legal documents translation is to be furthered in a way it fulfills all the needs and challenges the translator might experience in translation process. The translator-to-be has to acquire a good command of English in its specific form, be aware of two legal systems, master translation strategies and procedures, develop translation skills and be loyal to ethics.
The focus of this work is reflection on vital questions in teaching: what material to choose, how to organize the studying process, which teaching methods to employ for better progress and many others.
The findings and outcome of this work may be interesting for those involved in university courses of legal translation studies, the specialty, which is gaining popularity due to its social needs.

Keywords: curriculum, legal documents translation, skills and competences, educational materials, teaching methodology