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CLEP Oral Communication Reflection

The student realized through their CLEP experience that they still struggle with communication skills like public speaking and explaining legal topics simply, despite being in law school for three years. They felt shy talking to strangers and community partners for their project. During their presentation, some participants did not understand due to nervousness. This made the student doubt their ability to practice law. However, positive feedback from participants motivated the student to improve through practice and hard work to achieve their goal of becoming a lawyer.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
70 views1 page

CLEP Oral Communication Reflection

The student realized through their CLEP experience that they still struggle with communication skills like public speaking and explaining legal topics simply, despite being in law school for three years. They felt shy talking to strangers and community partners for their project. During their presentation, some participants did not understand due to nervousness. This made the student doubt their ability to practice law. However, positive feedback from participants motivated the student to improve through practice and hard work to achieve their goal of becoming a lawyer.

Uploaded by

thebeautyinside
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Reflection on Clinical Legal Education

CLEP Reflection Paper Final Requirement

The Clinical Legal Education Program has been an eye-opener for me. On the one hand, my
insecurities and doubts about my ability to become a lawyer surfaced again. On the other hand, it
ignited a fire within me and gave me a sense of purpose.

Effective communication skills, both in oral and written form, are essential to becoming an
effective lawyer. Without it, a lawyer could not give a proper legal advice to a client or win a case for
them. One of the reasons I entered law school was to hone and increase my aptitude for oral and
written communication. Because of the subject, I was appalled to realize that I am still severely lacking in
this area even after three years in law school. I am still shy and awkward when talking to people,
especially those whom I do not know or with whom I am not close. This posed a challenge for me when
looking for community partners. I could have asked my coworkers for assistance since they are regularly
in contact with some of the officers in the barangays of the city because of our work. However, I was too
shy to ask them, and I don’t want to impose on them. I also thought about going to the barangay hall in
the barangay where I am a resident, but the thought of meeting and talking to strangers dissuaded me
from pursuing the idea. In the end, I only relied on my group mates.

When making my presentation and explaining my topic, I found it hard to explain the topic in
simple terms. I also had a hard time deciding how to go about designing the flow of the presentation of
the topic. I was embarrassed and disheartened when I heard some of the participants grumble that they
did not understand my discussion. I was so nervous and afraid during our open forum, even when I
studied the topic over and over again. I knew the answers and legal provisions to some of the questions
the participants asked, but I remained silent and let my team members or our supervising lawyer answer
them. Because of this, I realized that it was pointless, even if I knew the law and legal principles. I am
only idly standing on the sidelines, incapable of sharing this knowledge to help my fellowmen or my
community, because I am too shy and afraid to speak up. As a result, I began to doubt myself even
more, believing that I was wasting my time in law school and that I was not truly qualified to practice
law.

Notwithstanding having these negative thoughts, a part of me refused to give up my dream of


becoming a lawyer. After the implementation, the participants expressed their gratitude and delight
about the program. They were happy that they had learned something from the discussions and from
the open forum. They even suggested other topics that they hoped the team or another batch of law
students would be able to discuss in the future. When I heard their feedback, I was very happy and
grateful for the experience. I want to do the program again even though I am shy, awkward, and
nervous when I talk to a group of people or present a topic to strangers. I believe that with enough
practice and experience, I will be able to improve how I explain legal provision in simple terms. I was
motivated to do well in my studies and learn as much as I could. I was hoping that I could increase my
self-confidence by being prepared and knowledgeable. I also remembered that one of the reasons I
entered law school was to help protect the citizens against abuse and corruption as an advocate of the
law. Hence, I may feel incompetent and useless now, but I will utilize hard work and willpower to propel
me toward achieving my dream.

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The author experiences a mix of insecurity and inspiration throughout the Clinical Legal Education Program. Despite feeling shy and inadequate in communication, leading to doubts about their future in law, positive feedback from participants reignites their passion for becoming a lawyer. The realization that thorough preparation and practice could improve their confidence and effectiveness in explaining legal concepts motivates them to persist in their studies .

The author perceives their potential contributions to the community through enhancing awareness of legal rights and equipping citizens with the knowledge to safeguard against abuse. They hope to use their legal education to advocate for public interests, and the positive reception and suggestions from community participants underscore the value of these educational initiatives in fostering community empowerment and legal understanding .

Despite personal challenges such as insecurity in communication skills, the author regards their dream of becoming a lawyer with profound importance, as it aligns with their desire to protect citizens against injustices. They view the pursuit of this dream as a battle against personal limitations, emphasizing resilience and determination to overcome obstacles through diligent effort and continuous learning, confirming that their aspirations provide purpose amid self-doubt .

The author's reflection suggests that personal growth, particularly in overcoming shyness and mastering communication, is intrinsically linked to professional development in legal education. The challenges faced in effectively communicating with peers and understanding feedback are seen as key to enhancing their efficacy as a lawyer. By focusing on personal development, the author anticipates a positive impact on their potential to succeed professionally and fulfill their aspirations in law .

The author's internal conflicts revolve around a lack of confidence and a fear of inadequacy, conflicting with their deep-seated ambition to become a lawyer. To resolve these conflicts, the author is committed to hard work and leveraging willpower to strengthen their legal knowledge and communication skills, ultimately aiming to transform their perceived weaknesses into strengths through experience and proactive engagement in the legal field .

The author's experience in the Clinical Legal Education Program both challenges and reinforces their professional aspirations. Initial doubts about their qualifications and the feeling of inadequacy waver their commitment to becoming a lawyer. Nonetheless, the grateful feedback from participants and the purpose derived from legal advocacy reinvigorate their desire to utilize their legal education to fight against abuse and corruption. This duality strengthens their resolve to overcome personal challenges and work towards their dream .

To overcome their insecurities and improve legal presentation skills, the author plans to engage in thorough preparation, practice, and seek more experience in speaking to groups. They believe that by increasing their knowledge and skill set, they can gain self-confidence. The author recognizes that focus on simplifying explanations and receiving constructive feedback will help in building their effectiveness as a legal professional .

The Clinical Legal Education Program reinforces the critical role of communication skills in the legal profession, as emphasized by the author's struggles with effectively conveying legal information and their desire to improve. The author acknowledges that without strong communication abilities, they cannot provide adequate legal advice or advocate effectively, which is essential for their goal of protecting citizens and pursuing a career in law .

The author reflects on their communication skills as lacking, despite being in law school for three years, which negatively affects their confidence and ability to engage in community activities. They find themselves shy and awkward, particularly when interacting with strangers or explaining complex legal topics in simple terms, making them feel inadequate in contributing to their community or legal discussions .

Participant feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the author's future actions and motivations. Despite initial self-doubt, hearing that participants gained valuable insights and were eager for more discussions bolstered the author's confidence and reinforced their dedication to improving their communication skills. This feedback became a pivotal motivator for the author to persist in their legal studies and strive to better communicate legal concepts, as well as a driving force behind their commitment to public service .

CLEP Reflection Paper Final Requirement
The Clinical Legal Education Program has been an eye-opener for me. On the one hand,

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