Creating a profile for Italian users of legal English in a perspective of lifelong learning. The EFLIT experience

The EFLIT (English for Law and International Transactions) postgraduate training project, launched by Parma University (Italy) in 2006, aims to offer professionals and graduates in the fields of Law and Economics a course combining a linguistic focus (i.e. English for Law) and a content focus (i.e. Law in English) in order to improve both their language and legal skills. EFLIT has now developed into a national project and has obtained the official recognition of professional associations of both lawyers and chartered accountants for accreditation purposes in continuous education. This greater scope has called for a course which focalises on the actual needs for English of professionals working in Italy, whilst maintaining an international outlook. In order to design a course tailored to the real requirements and expectations of Italian professionals in the fields of law and economics, an online survey was specifically devised for EFLIT participants and alumni and posted on the website of the Parma University Language Centre. The feedback provided led to the creation of an “EFLIT participant profile” to be used as reference when planning the course, and ultimately in the choice and weighting of the class activities with the dual aim of meeting expectations and developing specific skills and competencies.