Institutional Communication in English
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to a specific type of English for Specific Purposes: institutional discourse. In particular, it seeks to provide students with foundational knowledge of linguistic variation in relation to context and communicative purposes.
The educational objective of the course is to develop knowledge of both written and spoken forms of institutional discourse across different domains. The in-depth focus on the genre of press releases as a tool for disseminating institutional discourse—in a wide range of contexts and not only institutional ones—aims to foster students' ability to interpret and produce texts in institutional settings.
The educational objective of the course is to develop knowledge of both written and spoken forms of institutional discourse across different domains. The in-depth focus on the genre of press releases as a tool for disseminating institutional discourse—in a wide range of contexts and not only institutional ones—aims to foster students' ability to interpret and produce texts in institutional settings.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will become familiar with different forms and genres of institutional discourse; they will learn to recognize and use rhetorical structures and specialized vocabulary. They will learn to apply the knowledge acquired to distinguish between different text types in different contexts and to evaluate and make decisions in terms of communicative appropriateness and effectiveness. They will be able to use appropriate lexis and rhetorical structures according to different text types.
The structure of the exams, together with the practical activities carried out during each class, will enhance written production skills, while oral interactions and discussions are designed to develop speaking skills and communicative effectiveness. Finally, activities involving the comparison of different texts are designed to strengthen interpretative and critical analysis skills, which are essential tools for the comprehension, processing, and critical interpretation of different types of texts, including in students' future professional contexts.
The structure of the exams, together with the practical activities carried out during each class, will enhance written production skills, while oral interactions and discussions are designed to develop speaking skills and communicative effectiveness. Finally, activities involving the comparison of different texts are designed to strengthen interpretative and critical analysis skills, which are essential tools for the comprehension, processing, and critical interpretation of different types of texts, including in students' future professional contexts.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course is organized both temporally and thematically into three parts, each of which is more closely related to one of the course materials: 1) Institutional discourse (Koester); 2) Public administration and the European Union (Directorate-General for Translation - European Commission); 3) Press releases (Catenaccio).
The course syllabus includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
- Introduction to the course
*Institutional discourse (Koester) *
- Introduction to institutional communication
- Institutional discourse: perspectives on professional contexts
- Written English in professional contexts
- Spoken English in professional contexts
*Public administration and the European Union (Directorate-General for Translation - European Commission:*
- Public administration: clarity, formality, bureaucratic language, and plain English
- Translation in international institutions, the European Union style guide, and multilingualism in institutions
- Intercultural communication: cultural norms, linguistic adaptation, and translation
*Press releases (Catenaccio):*
Press releases: origins and contemporary contexts of use
Press releases: structure and function
Case studies: press releases and crisis management.
The course syllabus includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
- Introduction to the course
*Institutional discourse (Koester) *
- Introduction to institutional communication
- Institutional discourse: perspectives on professional contexts
- Written English in professional contexts
- Spoken English in professional contexts
*Public administration and the European Union (Directorate-General for Translation - European Commission:*
- Public administration: clarity, formality, bureaucratic language, and plain English
- Translation in international institutions, the European Union style guide, and multilingualism in institutions
- Intercultural communication: cultural norms, linguistic adaptation, and translation
*Press releases (Catenaccio):*
Press releases: origins and contemporary contexts of use
Press releases: structure and function
Case studies: press releases and crisis management.
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to have at least a B2 level of English (CEFR). Familiarity with political, legal, and public administration terminology in Italian is also recommended.
Teaching methods
The course integrates lectures, guided text analysis, group activities, writing and speaking tasks, and simulations.
We will be using an eclectic approach: lesson plans will be characterized by the use of multimedia materials. The function of these tools is that of interacting with the students involving them in activities that stimulate them cognitively and that make it possible for their different intelligences, personalities, and motivation to find the most suitable learning way(s). Learning a language is, for a huge part, practicing it, so the students are expected to engage in discussions, to ask and answer questions, to detect errors and reflect about them, to try to communicate in English, challenging the fear of being wrong or making errors.
The course makes use of teaching materials made available via MyAriel.
We will be using an eclectic approach: lesson plans will be characterized by the use of multimedia materials. The function of these tools is that of interacting with the students involving them in activities that stimulate them cognitively and that make it possible for their different intelligences, personalities, and motivation to find the most suitable learning way(s). Learning a language is, for a huge part, practicing it, so the students are expected to engage in discussions, to ask and answer questions, to detect errors and reflect about them, to try to communicate in English, challenging the fear of being wrong or making errors.
The course makes use of teaching materials made available via MyAriel.
Teaching Resources
Catenaccio, P. (2008). Corporate press releases: an overview. Campuscuem.
Directorate-General for Translation (European Commission) (2015) Scrivere Chiaro / How to write clearly. European Commission - Publications Office (both the Italian and the English versions). https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/725b7eb0-d92e-11e5-8fea-01aa75ed71a1/language-it)
Koester, A. (2004). The language of work. Routledge.
Course slides (available on MyAriel after class).
Directorate-General for Translation (European Commission) (2015) Scrivere Chiaro / How to write clearly. European Commission - Publications Office (both the Italian and the English versions). https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/725b7eb0-d92e-11e5-8fea-01aa75ed71a1/language-it)
Koester, A. (2004). The language of work. Routledge.
Course slides (available on MyAriel after class).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam includes two parts:
Written test: translation from English into Italian of an authentic institutional document (e.g., press release, ministerial note, excerpt from an official speech).
Oral exam: discussion of the course contents, including questions on the required readings and analysis of real-world examples.
Final marks (out of 30) will be based on:
translation accuracy and appropriateness (40%)
analytical and comprehension skills (30%)
mastery of theoretical and terminological content (30%)
Attending students have the opportunity to present a topic or case study in class, agreed upon with the instructor. Further details will be provided during the course. Students who give a presentation in class will not be required to take the oral exam.
Written test: translation from English into Italian of an authentic institutional document (e.g., press release, ministerial note, excerpt from an official speech).
Oral exam: discussion of the course contents, including questions on the required readings and analysis of real-world examples.
Final marks (out of 30) will be based on:
translation accuracy and appropriateness (40%)
analytical and comprehension skills (30%)
mastery of theoretical and terminological content (30%)
Attending students have the opportunity to present a topic or case study in class, agreed upon with the instructor. Further details will be provided during the course. Students who give a presentation in class will not be required to take the oral exam.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Di Ferrante Laura
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday 15-18r by appointment
Room 106 or online via Teams