The Development of E-Learning Tools Used for Teaching English for Law Enforcement

Abstract

International (operational and training) activities carried out by law enforcement officers have been accompanied by the growing realisation of the fact that it is essential for those involved in them to communicate efficiently, in one common language, basically English. However, even in the last few years, the gaps between the foreign language skills of the law enforcement professionals and the need for further foreign (mainly English) language training courses have been underlined several times in international professional and legal documents. Also, the fact that specific-purpose English language courses continue to be important content elements of the curricula both of national law enforcement training institutions and the two largest EU agencies involved in the training of police officers, as well as border and coast guards (CEPOL and Frontex), proves that this problem still exists. Using the qualitative research and providing an overview and evaluation of the most significant e-learning trends and tools used in teaching English for Law Enforcement by CEPOL and Frontex in the last decade, the paper discusses the progress made in this field in terms of both quality and methodology. It presents technical limitations of certain e-learning tools and points to the course developers’ ensuing realisation that the virtual or real presence of the teacher is indispensable in language courses.