In 2006 Parma University’s Faculty of Law, in cooperation with the Language Centre, launched EFLIT (English for Law and International Transactions), a postgraduate training project aimed at offering professionals and graduates in the fields of Law and Economics a course combining a linguistic focus (i.e. English for Law, at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference) and a content focus (i.e. Law in English) in order to improve both their language and legal skills. Thanks to its unique format, EFLIT has since then developed from a local project to a national project, it has obtained the official recognition of professional associations of both lawyers and chartered accountants for accreditation purposes in continuous education, and is now the largest provider of skills-based training in Legal English in Italy, with a community of participants and alumni which includes over 2,000 individuals. This greater scope has called for the establishment of several course formats (Premium, Classic, Advanced), which are intended to facilitate professional communication with foreign colleagues and clients by focalising on the actual needs for English of professionals working in Italy, whilst maintaining an international outlook. In order to design courses tailored to their real requirements and expectations, an online survey was specifically devised for EFLIT participants and alumni and posted on the website of the Language Centre. The feedback provided led to the creation of an “EFLIT participant profile” to be used as reference when planning the course, i.e. the actual needs and interests of participants are to be the guiding parameters in devising the syllabus, and ultimately in the choice and weighting of the class activities with the dual aim of meeting expectations and developing the specific skills and competencies required by their profession. This study reveals the results of the survey and the criteria to be taken into consideration when designing courses for these professionals.
The EFLIT participant profile: customizing the course to the needs of Legal English users in Italy / SCOTT-MONKHOUSE, Anila Ruth. - STAMPA. - 1:(2015), pp. 189-208. [10.3726/978-3-0351-0846-0]
The EFLIT participant profile: customizing the course to the needs of Legal English users in Italy
Scott-Monkhouse Anila Ruth
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2015-01-01
Abstract
In 2006 Parma University’s Faculty of Law, in cooperation with the Language Centre, launched EFLIT (English for Law and International Transactions), a postgraduate training project aimed at offering professionals and graduates in the fields of Law and Economics a course combining a linguistic focus (i.e. English for Law, at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference) and a content focus (i.e. Law in English) in order to improve both their language and legal skills. Thanks to its unique format, EFLIT has since then developed from a local project to a national project, it has obtained the official recognition of professional associations of both lawyers and chartered accountants for accreditation purposes in continuous education, and is now the largest provider of skills-based training in Legal English in Italy, with a community of participants and alumni which includes over 2,000 individuals. This greater scope has called for the establishment of several course formats (Premium, Classic, Advanced), which are intended to facilitate professional communication with foreign colleagues and clients by focalising on the actual needs for English of professionals working in Italy, whilst maintaining an international outlook. In order to design courses tailored to their real requirements and expectations, an online survey was specifically devised for EFLIT participants and alumni and posted on the website of the Language Centre. The feedback provided led to the creation of an “EFLIT participant profile” to be used as reference when planning the course, i.e. the actual needs and interests of participants are to be the guiding parameters in devising the syllabus, and ultimately in the choice and weighting of the class activities with the dual aim of meeting expectations and developing the specific skills and competencies required by their profession. This study reveals the results of the survey and the criteria to be taken into consideration when designing courses for these professionals.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
