ESP for Customs and Excise a network bridge to Academic Programmes for Customs Profession

This study outlines an approach for academic programmes dedicated to the customs disciplinary sector, using the English language as a vehicle to harmonize content and proposes a set of tools required to reach this goal. The study is divided into two main sections: the first devoted to the setting up of an ESP Syllabus for Customs & Excise which focuses on the following points: 1. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) - English for Academic Purposes (EAP) - English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) 2. Needs Analysis (Target Situation) 3. Needs Analysis Questionnaire 4. Curriculum versus Syllabus 5. ESP Syllabus for Customs & Excise In the second section, I describe how this Programme Design is linked to the three initiatives shown in annexes II – III and IV: 1. Customs & Excise Professional Refresher Course 2. MA degree for Operational Managers/Leaders 3. BA degree in Customs Disciplines The Annexes briefly introduce the World Customs Organization and in chronological order, the concrete activities of my three year PhD Course related to the setting up of Academic Programmes dedicated to Customs Disciplines. During this period I have participated directly in drafting the Master for Operational Managers/Leaders, the Professional Refresher Course in Customs & Excise, and the Bachelor in Customs Disciplines. I was an “observer” at the WCO Capacity Building Committee and Integrity Sub-Committee and acted as a member of a Steering Group created by the European Commission General Directorate for Taxation and Customs Union for the “Feasibility Study on an EU Academic Customs Programme” financed under the Customs 2013 programme in 2011.