Maritime English courses worldwide

Maritime English Courses Worldwide
with
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)

specialistlanguagecourses.com

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
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.

Case 1: Costa Concordia Cruise Ship, 2012
Communication 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, 2002
Oil 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.

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 nonroutine 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 Levels
There needs to be an agreement on how to describe Maritime English skills
and how to assess them across the industry.
3. On-going Professional Development
Language 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






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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-Face
Lessons 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. Blended
Live lessons supported by tailored online content, which can consolidate and extend
face-to-face learning.


Training Locations
Schools around the world
Chosen 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 world
Learn 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 Options
Courses 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 Course
gg

1. Discuss your
needs, budget, study
options

7. Review & next
steps

6. Feedback and
progress
assessment

5. On-going course
management

2. SLC
proposal, discuss, agree –
Book Course

3. Pre-course
briefing docs, visa
if required

4. Start course


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.
2.
3.
4.

You get free, expert, independent advice
You get the best course for what you need
You get the best price for the course you want
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:
Tel:

enquiries@specialistlanguagecourses.com
+44 (0) 1273 757535

To find out more, have a look at the website, or request a brochure
Web:
Email:
Tel:

www.specialistlanguagecourses.com
marketing@specialistlanguagecourses.com
+44 (0) 1273 757535


Maritime English courses worldwide

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