ESAP, Means and Methods at Italian Universities

The teaching of English for Specific Academic Purposes at Italian Universities two antagonistic factors: the means and the methods. This paper explores both, first dealing with the means, highlighting the problems and suggestingf some solutions within the Italian University context. Secondly it focuses on the methods, presenting a strategy that borroes from Language for Specific Purposes, Systemic Functional Grammar and Test Construction Theory to suggest how to create exams and courses. These exams and courses aim to benefit students in terms of preparation routines and foreseen application of acquired language skills.