The Importance of Maritime English Proficiency in Others Marine Related Undergraduate Programs
Keywords: Maritime English, Maritime Education and Training, Framework for
Maritime English Proficiency, Undergraduate Program
Abstract:Maritime English proficiency standard is mandatorily used by all maritime based
professionals and become an important tool to ensure safety where it is not only at sea but
including shore, port and any maritime based industry. This study sought to determine the
level of Maritime English proficiency among the other marine related undergraduate
programs in University Malaysia Terengganu. Maritime English subject is a core subject for
Nautical Science and Maritime Get research paper samples and course-specific study resources under homework for you course hero writing service – Manage ment Programme but not for other marine related
undergraduate programs such as Maritime Technology, Maritime Informatics Technology,
Marine Biology, Science Marine and Science Fisheries at University of Malaysia Terengganu
(UMT). The importance for students to have sufficient proficiency in Maritime English as
it’s useful for them to use the accurate Maritime English terminology for journal and thesis
writing and to practice correct communication and pronunciation of Maritime English. Data
were obtained by conducting a series of interview with 90 students from Marine Science,
Maritime Technology and Maritime Informatics Technology programme. The thematic
content analysis was used to analyse data during interview session. Based on the findings,
46.1 % of Maritime Technology students were considered achieved the level of proficiency
in using maritime English terminologies. These results have shown that the important of
offering Maritime English Subject to other marine related program.
1. Introduction
English is well known as international language that should be used worldwide and in any type of
maritime communication. The necessity for the establishment of Maritime English (ME) resources
and materials has been discussed in many conferences as well as a number of projects on Maritime
Education and Training (MET). Renowned researchers such as [1] and [2] are among researcher that
has shown interest in improving the level of Maritime English in shipping industry. However, the
focus of these studies lies on the development of vocational and academic language courses which is
aimed at the standard competence in the use of Maritime English for other related program as UMT
is one of maritime focused Institution in the Malaysia. There are only a few studies has been
306 Proceeding of Marine Safety and Maritime Installation (MSMI 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online) Published by CSP © 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online the Authors
discovered on the language competence and skills that Maritime Universities students need to acquire
in order to deal successfully in their academic studies as well as with the challenge for potential shores
side career path. Therefore, this study should become an important and knowledgeable platform for
maritime students to use proper and correct maritime terminology in academicals writing and any
maritime communication in shipping sector.
1.1.Problem Statement of the Research
Nowadays maritime schools are faced with the biggest challenge for developing mariner with high
standards of competence and professionalism with a good English communication skill [3].
University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) as one of the maritime universities in Malaysia that able to
provide mariners where it is important to ensure UMT does not face the same challenge. The level of
proficiency of Maritime English among the students is important to be classified as to ensure adequate
usage of Maritime English in any maritime communication. Besides, the wrong terminology used in
Maritime English needed to be analysed as it is beneficial in academicals and thesis writing for
students. The usage of correct of Maritime English must be ensured the best way to help others related
marine undergraduate students in UMT for becoming a competence graduate with high proficiency
and knowledge in Maritime English.
2. Literature Review
According to the legislation, English in the shipping industry is known as Maritime English and
the teaching of the subject at all maritime universities, institutes and colleges worldwide are governed
by the IMO Model Course 3.17 (Maritime English). Consequently, this world-class standard
document for the training has set a standard for the English language to be taught and mastered so as
to comply with the regulation in maritime sector [4].
In maritime industry, English is considered as main tool for communication at sea and port. It acts
as an important tool because given the international character of the maritime industry. On maritime
job requirement has strongly emphasized the importance of English language proficiency in relation
to shipboard operations and coastal areas. Companies employing non-native English employee have
an obligation to ensure that effective English language country is available especially as members of
the crew are now required to demonstrate knowledge of English adequate for professional and safety
purposes at sea and shore areas. So, it is for ensuring to have a broad knowledge of English and good
communication skills to be able to respond as the situation demands [5].
Besides, ship owners and shipping companies often seem to overlook basic issues like the training
of the workers. Employing seamen from different nationalities brings different standards of training
on board ship, both for what Maritime English is concerned in terms of SMCP, and for the level of
knowledge regarding STCW, SOLAS, MARPOL and others. Along with this, cultural attributes
which are brought by these seamen give a more complex extent to the use of the Maritime Language
in any maritime sector [6]. Therefore, seafarer’s ability to communicate to an acceptable standard of
English is very essential and important in nowadays industry especially on maritime industry.
Moreover, the increment on the number of casualty is caused by the poor level of communication
skills of the employee [7]. It has increased the concern to all categories in maritime industry including
the seafarers, ship owners, shipping company and maritime institution all over the country.
The focus of these studies focus on the standard competence in the use of Maritime English for a
proper academic writing thesis any the importance for any maritime communication. So they mainly
concern about maritime students and their needs for a common language, which is essential for
avoiding used of wrong maritime terminology. There are only a few studies have been done on the
language competence and skills that Maritime University students need to acquire in order to deal
307
successfully with their academic studies as well as with the challenges of a potential shore side career
path [8].
Nowadays it is well known all around the shipping industry that English is the main and only
language that should be used in any type of maritime communication. The English language is the
lingua franca of the maritime industry. In shipping industry, the Standard Marine Communication
Phrases (SMCP) is used primarily for standardization of communication in the ship to ship and ship
to shore communication [9].
Lastly, the lecturers from Maritime Universities all over the world should be better in explaining
the students about the importance of competence and fluent in Maritime English. It is worth to note
that the students as a new learner of a language (English language) really do need to build a solid
foundation of knowledge. It is beneficial for them if their lecturer had well experience for teaching
Maritime English. It can help them to improve by using some important maritime terms used daily in
shipping industry and for any type of communications in the maritime sector [10].
3. Methodology
3.1. First Step of Data Analysis
The first step is intended to determine the level of proficiency of maritime English among other
marine related undergraduate. There were a few series semi-structured interviews and questionnaire
required to be answered by the students where it mainly aimed for explaining and possibly adding to
the data findings. Respondents of the study were 90 students from the maritime technology (30
students), marine science (30 students) and maritime informatics technology (30 students) program.
The primary data were collected by the relevant literature and also encouraged discussion about issues
that the interviewees considered relevant. To facilitate this process, an interview guide was developed
that identified introductory stage which require students to answer spontaneously in recognizing the
basic operations of the vessel and ship terminologies. The Basic Marine Vocabulary (BMV) includes:
▪ Parts of ship
▪ Types of ship
▪ Names and functions of equipment on board of ship and port equipment
▪ Routine operations on board such as bunkering, alongside, maintenance, loading and
unloading of cargo, watch-keeping, mustering and etc.
▪ Ship movement and directions
▪ Basic ship communication in English
▪ Ship organization
▪ Duties and responsibilities of board
3.2. Second Step of Data Analysis
The second step is for analysing the wrong terminology of Maritime English used by the related
undergraduate students. By using the same sample as previous step the secondary data were used by
analysing the final year thesis paper for other related marine undergraduate. The final year thesis
writing was selected accordingly to the courses of Maritime Technology, Maritime Informatics
Technology and Marine Biology. The common mistake made by the students by using Maritime
English terms was determined. Conventional Content Analysis was used to analyse the data where
coding categories are derived directly from the text data used to provide results for the second step.
Content analysis is a research technique used to make replicable and valid inferences by interpreting
and coding textual material. A summative content analysis involves counting and comparisons,
308
usually of keywords or content, followed by the interpretation of the underlying context [11]. In this
research, the conventional content analysis is used to determine common mistake in Maritime English
terms.
3.3.Third Step of Data Analysis
The last step is to suggest ways to improve Maritime English among other marine related
undergraduate. Interview sessions were held with a few selected experts. The experts were divided
into two categories which are former mariners and academicians. They were chosen from the School
of Ocean Engineering as they are more expertise for the purpose of the research. The opinions and
suggestions on ways to improve Maritime English proficiency among other related marine
undergraduate that been achieved during the interview session were collected as primary data. The
content analysis was used to analyse the data from interview session. This is probably the most
common method used in qualitative research. It aims to find common patterns across a data set. This
method follows a few steps:
▪ Getting familiar with the data (reading and re-reading).
▪ Coding by label the whole text.
▪ Searching for themes with broader patterns of meaning.
▪ Reviewing themes to make sure they fit the data.
▪ Defining and naming themes.
▪ The write-up (creating a coherent narrative that includes quotes from the interviewees)
4. Results and Discussion
The English Proficiency level of undergraduate students based on the Basic Marine Vocabulary
(BMV) interview was carried out. The total undergraduate student for a sample of this research was
90 students. The respondents are required to answer a set of questionnaires prepared by the researcher.
The questionnaire consists of 20 questions about Basic Marine Vocabulary (BMV). The results show
that students are incompetent in basic ship communication in English and use wrong terminology of
basic Maritime English with the mean achievement of the percentage 46.1% (30 undergraduate
students) from Maritime Technology program, 32.2% (30 undergraduate students) from Maritime
Informatics Technology program and 14.2% (30 undergraduate students) from Marine Science
program. The table 1 below showed the mean percentage of respondents from Marine Technology
students, Maritime Informatics Technology students and Marine Science students.
Table 1: The Percentage of Respondent by Undergraduate Students
No of
Students
Maritime
Technology
Maritime
Informatics
Technology
Marine
Science
1 50 20 15
2 45 25 20
3 55 35 20
4 30 30 15
5 40 40 10
6 40 35 10
7 45 35 5
8 20 20 5
9 40 15 15
309
10 65 40 10
11 60 45 30
12 55 50 20
13 55 50 10
14 45 20 10
15 50 20 15
16 45 25 20
17 55 35 20
18 30 30 15
19 40 40 10
20 40 35 10
21 45 35 5
22 20 20 5
23 40 15 15
24 65 40 10
25 60 45 30
26 55 50 20
27 55 50 10
28 45 20 10
29 50 20 15
30 45 25 20
Total 1385 965 425
Mean (%) 1385/30 =46.1 965/30=32.2 425/30=14.2
Maritime Technology students achieve the highest score compared to Maritime Informatics
Technology and Marine Science as the students taking more subjects toward maritime subject in their
syllabus. However, it is noticeable that during interview, most students are unable to answer and
speak effectively as they do not know the necessary of the specific terminology of Maritime English
or in other words they lack of knowledge about basic marine terminology for efficient maritime
communication. The percentage of the mean scored is low and does not achieve the expected target
by researcher. Therefore, UMT as one of the maritime institutes have to promote and offering the
student to learn and study the subject more effectively and should become one of their compulsory
subject for their syllabus.
Besides, there were many wrong terminology has been identified throughout the context analysis
of the thesis writing. The patterns of their wrong terms used were random as there is no specific
maritime subject for them to have adequate knowledge of using the correct terminology for thesis
writing. This is important for UMT as one of the maritime focused institute to upgrade the Maritime
English proficiency of the students in order to help them attain the required writing and
communication skills while in the performance of their duties and responsibilities in academics. In
this research, the results are shown in the simplest way to ensure the students realize their mistakes
made. The feedback from the students after the research had been complete is highly appreciated as
the researcher able to help to the undergraduate students in identifying the common mistake in using
specific Maritime English terminology. The table 2 as below shown the wrong terminology frequently
used by the undergraduate students.
310
Table 2: The Wrong Terminology Used
WRONG TERM CORRECT TERM
Ship’s pointing Ship’s heading
Map Chart
Leave the ship Abandon ship
Coordinate of the ship Position of the ship
Kitchen Galley
Floor Deck
Fall into the sea Man overboard
Firehouse Lighthouse
Ship’s body Ship’s hull
Rope breaking Rope parting
Parking Alongside/Berthing
Shore Get research paper samples and course-specific study resources under homework for you course hero writing service – Manage r Port Authority
Left/Right Port/Starboard
Street of Malacca Straits of Malacca
Moreover, the results were discussed is based on the third step for recommendations to improve
Maritime English proficiency among other related marine in UMT. The experts are divided into two
categories which are former mariners and academicians. Therefore, the results of the interviews will
also divide into two parts which are opinion and suggestion from former mariners and academicians.
The results of interviews are explained below.
4.1.Former Mariners
i. Instructor for Maritime English subject – The lecturer that teaches Maritime English subject must
be among former mariner as they have all professional competence and experience to teach
Maritime English.
ii. Full English Language used in teaching ME – Maritime Universities need to upgrade the English
proficiency of the students in order to help them attain the required communication skills while
in the performance of their duties and responsibilities in this industry. The teaching of all
maritime related subjects must be in full English Language even the students are a non-native
speaker of English.
iii. Use of IMO SMCP during lecture – Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) by
International Maritime Organization (IMO) must be used by all institution, lecturers or instructor
of ME course as a guideline when teaching Maritime English or related subjects.
iv. Student’s competence – General English helps students to cope easier with all situations they face
while learning all related maritime subject. The students need to build a strong foundation in
General English before mastering Maritime English.
4.2.Academicians
i. Importance of reading – Our brain is very smart and by regularly reading related material, a
person can improve their new learnt language. Experts believe that by always reading, someone
can improve rapidly in learning a new language.
ii. Lecturer’s role in varying the method of teaching – Students easily get bored and lose their
concentration as the lecturer still using old conventional way. By using latest technology,
311
student’s interest in learning will increase as it makes the learning process more fun and
interactive and conducive.
iii. Surround yourself with native speaker – The environment is one of a factor that affects the
student’s proficiency in English. Students need can master English through socialize with native
speaker English.
iv. Extend hours of learning English – The maritime institution must play the important roles to help
students for emphasizing their English proficiency. Mastering General English is essential before
further learning of Maritime English. The hours for English course must be extended to a suitable
level to ensure students keep learning English. Thus, it will be easier for them to learn Maritime
English.
5. Conclusions
The undergraduate of other marine related programme in UMT agreed on the importance of the
improvement of Maritime English as one of the requirements in getting a lucrative job in the seaborne industry. They also realize about the importance of using the correct Maritime English terms
also useful in their thesis or journal writing and preferable on improving it. Moreover, the school
must take responsibilities for this subject matter and need to be recommended the Maritime English
subject should including in other marine related undergraduate program for their syllabus. This issue
must be solved expeditiously to ensure the students have great chance to learn proper Maritime
English in the future.
Acknowledgements
The success and final outcome of this research required a lot of guidance. I am extremely
privileged to have got this all along the completion of my research. I respect and thank to all lecturers
from School of Ocean Engineering for providing me an opportunity to do the research and giving me
all support and guidance, which made me complete the research duly. I am extremely thankful to
them for providing a constant encouragement and guidance.
References
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