Maritime English courses worldwide

Maritime English Courses Worldwidewith

Specialist Language Courses

A Global Industry Communicating in English

Shipping carries up to 90% of world trade.

The world fleet consists of over 100,000 ships and a total fleet tonnage approaching 1 billion gross tonnes (2010)

The worldwide population of seafarers serving on internationally trading merchant ships is estimated to be around 466,000 officers and 721,000 ratings

Shipping has never been more international, with up to 50 nationalities working on one ship alone at times.

Maritime English is the official language of the sea as declared by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

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Global Shipping Routes


What is Maritime English?

1. The language used to communicate in all maritime-specific situations• on-board • ship to ship • ship to shore

2. It includes maritime-specific terminology – navigation, on-board operations, roles and responsibilities, health and safety, emergencies

3. English which has been simplified for use by seafarers of all nationalities

4. Maritime English has been codified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)

5. General English language skills need to be good enough to combine with SMCP to achieve consistent and clear communication at sea


Maritime English as Critical Communication

Clear, precise English is vital for

• Health, safety, and security on-board, to ensure the well-being of all those on the ship

• Communication with shore-side authorities - vessel traffic services, port authorities, cargo, customs, and other personnel

• Handling emergency situations often between different nationalities in very challenging circumstances

• Customer service on Cruise and Passenger carrying ships, maintaining excellent standards of customer service and customer experience


The IMO’s Overall Goal..

“Safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans”

But..

How is this possible if English levels are not consistent from one ship to the next?


Not everyone speaks English

The worldwide population of seafarers serving on internationally trading merchant ships is estimated to be around 466,000 officers and 721,000 ratings.

Key supplier countries: the Philippines, India, China, Turkey, Ukraine, Croatia, Latvia, Greece, Japan, Russia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.


Things can go disastrously wrong

Case 1: Costa Concordia Cruise Ship, 2012Communication breakdown between captain and crew cost crucial time, and then again between crew and passengers - a key factor in the sinking of the ship and resulting loss of life.

Case 2: Prestige Oil Tanker, 2002Oil spill following the sinking of the Liberian tanker off the Spanish coast. Situation worsened by SMCP being abandoned and the crew mishandling the emergency situation, with disastrous consequences for the environment and local fishing industry.


In 2005, the IMO found that 80% of accidents at sea were caused by human error, nearly half of which were attributed to communications

failures.

The IMO Response: SMCP

The IMO issued a list of Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP) in 2001. This was designed to standardize communication in key maritime areas, including health, safety, routine operations and emergencies.

The IMO has also issued an International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) requiring that crew, especially officers, should be able to operate in English and use the Standard Marine Communication Phrases SMCP.

However, the IMO explicitly states it has ‘no policing mandate’. There is no international standard to safeguard such an important requirement.


Can SMCP Mitigate Risk?

Only up to a point.

SMCP assumes only a basic level of English. It does not measure ability to communicate in English outside SMCP. Critics argue that

1. Knowing a set of phrases is insufficient for dealing with highly stressful non-routine situations, where clear communication is critical. 2. SMCP does not create a common communicative language for everyday interactions between multilingual crew, making friendships, team bonding and mutual understanding difficult.

Therefore, SMCP is not enough. Relying on it can pose a significant risk to the health and safety of those on board


How to improve Maritime English Levels?

1. Effective Training Programmes Maritime English courses need to include SMCP and integrate it with systematic English skills development. Courses need to be delivered to trainees and to current seafarers where needed.

2. Recognised English Assessment LevelsThere needs to be an agreement on how to describe Maritime English skills and how to assess them across the industry.

3. On-going Professional DevelopmentLanguage and communication skills need to be part of any MET professional development programme.


Maritime English Training Design

Maritime English programmes can be designed for specific groups – officers, ratings, cadets below and above deck.

SLC Maritime English courses have the following features

A company-specific, level-based learning framework Tailored materials to reflect how English is used in practice Communicative, practical methodology using scenario- and task-based learning Clear learning progressions with initial, ongoing and final assessments Face-to-Face, Online and Blended Training options A high degree of logistical flexibility Full Management Information available to company HR


Who are Maritime English programmes for?

1. Cadets, junior and senior officers, deck and engineering ratings,

2. Manning and crewing agencies

3. Commercial shipping companies

4. Cruise Lines

5. Port Authorities


Training Delivery Options

1. Face-to-FaceLessons focus on active language practice via roleplays, discussion, scenario work, and problem solving. The trainer observes learners closely, gives instant feedback and develops further inputs as required. Content is bespoke and flexible.

2. Online • Live lessons via video-conferencing• And/Or Self-study using reading exercises, language practice tasks, listening to

podcasts or watching videos, supported by online forums

3. BlendedLive lessons supported by tailored online content, which can consolidate and extend face-to-face learning.


Training Locations

Schools around the worldChosen specifically for their expertise in Maritime English. Courses are intensive, immersive and effective. They can also include accommodation, excursions and social activities.

In-company around the worldLearn in your company offices. Convenient, flexible, tailor-made courses. Experienced native-speaker trainers come to your offices and deliver a programme designed around your learning objectives, schedule and budget. They can be super-intensive or just 2 hours a week. It’s up to you.

Multiple Location OptionsCourses can be delivered in one location or internationally, allowing company training programmes to be taught across multiple sites.


SLC Maritime English Specialists around the World


Assessment

MarTEL • Comprehensive framework, offering tests targeting different groups: cadets,

officers (deck and engine), senior officers (deck and engine) and ratings• Tests cover the five key English skills of all classes of seafarer: reading, writing,

listening, speaking and grammar/SMCP. Marlins• Online - listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary• Tests are for all ranks of seafarer (60 minutes) and cruise ship staff (30 minutes)

Bespoke Assessment• Designed by the trainer, covering all aspects of the training course, to include all

skills as appropriate• Agreed with company HR


Online Self-Study – Sample Page


Online Course Reporting – Sample Page


The Results of Maritime English Training


1. A significantly reduced risk to the health and safety of all those at sea

2. A multilingual, multicultural crew who can talk to each other

3. An across-the-board ability to use English to communicate key points in all day to day activities and in emergencies

4. Everyone can use Maritime English as recommended in the STCW code

5. Everyone can use the key SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) in the right place at the right time

How We Organise Your Course1. Discuss your needs, budget, study options

2. SLC proposal, discuss, agree – Book Course

3. Pre-course briefing docs, visa

if required

4. Start course 5. On-going course

management

6. Feedback and progress

assessment

7. Review & next steps


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Pricing

Prices will differ according to • Course type• Course duration• Course location

At all times, prices will be clear, value-driven, and matched to the specific training requirements of an organization.

The individual elements of each course are priced transparently, allowing an organization to match training options with numbers of participants, schedules and budgets.


About SLC

World-leading authority in organising specialist Business and Industry-Specific Language Training around the world.

Independent. We are not tied to one provider. We select and customise the training that works best for all our clients

Results-driven. Training is targeted to our clients’ specific needs and is designed for maximum impact on life outside the training room.

Over 30 years’ industry experience SLC Directors have arranged training for an extensive client list from global companies to SMEs to individuals.

World-class portfolio of the best specialist language training providers around the world, including schools, in-company, home tuition, and digital provision.

Based in the UK with strong personal relationships with course providers worldwide.


Our Service Promise to You

From when you enquire to when you finish your course, we work closely with you and our providers to make sure you get what you need.

1. You get free, expert, independent advice2. You get the best course for what you need3. You get the best price for the course you want4. You get great support from beginning to end from your dedicated

course manager


Next Steps


If you’re interested in taking a Maritime English course, either for you or your organisation, get in touch:

Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1273 757535

To find out more, have a look at the website, or request a brochure

Web: www.specialistlanguagecourses.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1273 757535

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Maritime English courses worldwide