Focus on Englis Languac¢ The use of English language is increasingly becoming a mandatory requirement for many categories of seafarer. In addition to the revised STCW Convention's* emphasis on English language training, there are various other International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements. which stipulate the need for seafarers to communicate in a common language. In practice therefore most seafarers now require an ability to communicate in English. ISF, and the maritime English training experts Marlins, have taken an active part in discussions at IMO concerning use of English at sea. In addition to providing information about the well established ISF Marlins English Language Test (only US $5 per test) and the complementary ISF Marlins Test of Spoken English (see right) this leaflet explains recent developments concerning the use of English by seafarers internationally. “*The 1995 amendments to the IMO Convention on Standards ‘of Training and Watchkeeping for Seaferers (STCW) Marlins’ ‘Sey om Unie ee tran on ISF Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE) ‘The ISF Mains TOSE CD provides a standardised interview framework for assessing seotarers’ speaking “aNd listening skis, in order to provide a general indication of a seafarers verbal abiity. Key Objectives * Holp trainess/interviewers evaluate speaking and listening skils * Assist employers os part of a broad selection process * Identity specific training needs * Monitor progress during or after training Key Features + Extensive guidelines and reference materials in pintable format * Test materials for different language abilities * Colour-coded test materia tor ease of use * Simulating on-screen visuals to promote discussion ‘on general and work-related topics + Tho!ough guidelines for gracing speaking skils * Easy fo use report form Moreover, the TOSE complements the existing ISF Martins Test (S28 inside) to provide a comprehensive ‘analysis of English language skil. The TOSE CD, which can be used indefinitely, is ‘evailabie from ISF for the price of UK £172 (US $300) or tess for multiple orders, using the order for on the backIMO English Language Requirements ‘The SOLAS Convention Recent amendments to the IMO SOLAS Convention “underline the for a commen working kanguage in ‘the interests of safety at sea. Uniess the personnel ‘involved speak another cornmon language, English ‘must now be used as the working language for bridge- ‘fo-bridge and bridge-to-shore safely communications, “and communications on board between the pilot anc ‘bridge watchkeeping personnel (SOLAS Chapter V. ‘SICW Regulation /14 in STEW conceming explicit company responsbilties tequites that the shio’s entire crew can effectively co-ordinate their actives in an emergency. ‘which impfes the ability fo communicate in a common language. Itis possible that this aspect wil have to be ‘demonstiated fo por state contol officers, for example, through Ife boat cfls. SICW, which came into full effect in 2002, also includes several requirements on tne use of English language by specific categories of personnel Officers of the navigational watch now require ‘adequate knowledge of witten and spoken Engish to understand charts, nautical publications, meteorological information and messages concerning the ship's safety ‘and operation. They also need to be abe to Standard Marine Communication Phrases ‘hn 2000, IMO adopted the Standard Marine {English language) Communication Phrases (SMCP] fo replace the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary (SMNV| developed in the 1970s. Ability to use the SMCP, in particular Part A conceming external communication phrases ‘and bridge operations, is now a mandatory requirement for deck officers through a cross reference in the SICW Convention, However, itis important to understand that it \s not intended that seafarers should lean every individual phrase by rote. The principal Purpose of the SMCP is to provide reference Mattetial for teaching English in a maritime context, according to the user's specific needs. ‘The ISF Matlins English Language Test incorporates many of the new IMO phrases. Jal crew, and to use the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) - see below (Table Adi of SICW Code}. require a knowledge of English, both written and spoken, for the communication of information relevant to the safety of life at sea (STCW table A IV/2}. Engine § ale requited to dernonstrate an ‘bility in Engl quate to interpret engineering publications and to speak cleary and ‘comprehensi needed to perform engineering duties (STEW table A.V). Ratings of the navigational watch. In the deck department, certificated watchkeeping ratings must be ‘able to comply with heim orders in English and make clear and concise communications (STCW table A-Ii/4). Any seatarer with a designated safety or pollution prevention duty is ecommended by guidance in Part B of the SICW Code, conceming basic training, to have an ability to use English with an emphasis on nautical terms ‘and conations [SICW section &-V/1}. Personnel on passenger ships are requied fo have an ability to communicate with passengers during on emergency, taking inlo account the lkethood that an billy fo use an elementary Engish vocabulary for basic Instructions can provide a means of communication in the absence of a common language [STCW section A-V/2 and A-V/3), The ISM Code The Intemational Safety Management (ISM) Code emphasises the importance of communication in the development and maintenance of effective management systems. Under ISM, the company is requited to ensure that the ship's personnel receive relevant Inforrnation on the Safety Management System in a working language or languages, and are able fo communicate effectively in the execution of thelr duties related to the Safety Management System (SM 6.6 and 6.7}. In practice, the language used is often likely to be English, IMO Model Course on “Maritime English” IMO has approved a model training course on English ianguage for seafarers which makes ‘extensive reference to the SMCP, Win the assistance: ‘of Martins, the course was developed for IMO by ISF. In spite of the tie, however, It should be ‘emphasised that there is no such thing as “maritime” English, The course simply enables training institutes to develop a syllabus involving the practice of ‘genuine English communication in a martime setting,‘he ISF Marlins English Language Test uses CD ROM technol fo assess seafarers’ understanding of both wiitten and spoken English, and includes questions using the IMO Standard Marine ~~ ‘Communication Phrases and an audio section using intemational speakers of English. Designed specttically for the shipping industry by English Language Training (ELT) experts, the ISF Marlins English Language test provides an objective analysis of English language ability. The Test can be administered by non-English speakers without any knowledge of foreign language training, Simple instructions and computer "help" advice allow the test to be completed by seafarers wno have little ‘experience with computers. The Testis applicable to all grades of oficers and ratings {Including catering and hotel personnel), Although maritime related, it deliberately avoids testing knowedge of ’scamanship” skis, concentrating instead on the Understanding of English Recently upgraded to be Windows 2000 compliant. a Each Test comptises three principal sections: Ustening ‘Tne CD is programmed to select 40 questions rondomiy, which invowe recordings of Englsh being spoken in a variety of accents that are likely to be heard at sea fie. not "BBC" English). Using the computer, seatarers select the ‘contect" answer from a Ist of choices, which are also ordered randomly for secutty. The recordings have o maritime theme dealing wih |words, phrases and situations with which seafarers might reasonably be expected 10 be tamil. General Comprehension The CD is programmed to select 50 written questions, (Le. they are read by the seafaren, deaiing with martime situations and phases. Seafarers must select the corect “answer trom a ist of choices which test understanding of vocabulary, phonology, idkomatic expressions and important grammar sis The vocabulary questions require the seatarer to select the "odd one out” in a choice of 4 simple words (for example: high/wide/neavyrong) ‘The phonology questions test ability 1o recogrise: itferent let sounds through identification of the “odd one our from several words (for exampe: double/rounc‘aiow/south) which seafarers cre invited to say out loud. The grammar questions test sis such os the comect use 0f prepositions (fo, of etc.) ortense (has, had etc.) Practical Comprehension The thid section features paragraphs extracted tom ‘octual wien isttucions used on board ship. Words oF phrases are deliberately left out and seafarers must Choose the word that has been omited In order to. emonstiate their understanding of the text, Results The tests are scored out of @ hundted, but the seatarer taking the test wil not have access to the results. However, the person acministeving the test can print out either the seatarers total score or he resutts broken down info thet different components for record keeping purposes. Thete is no pass oF fal rar, incvidual companies should Use these results as a guide to evaluate addtional language training needs and whether the seatarer hos sufficient bil for work at sea in English, The testis accompanied by ISF guidance conceming tial scores for the test by different grades of seafarers.ISF Marlins” English Language Test & ISF Marlins” Test of Spok ORDER FORM Please send this foim to: Marisec Publications 12 Corthusian street London £C1M 6EZ Tel +44 207 417 2855. Fax: +44 207 417 8877 Emol!: publcations@marsec.o1g Date of orcer - W diferent to invoice adcress: invoice to: Deter to Tel Fox: Ema: wish to cider (state nuriber) _ISF Matis Englsh Language Tests - $2.90 (US $6) each (min. order 25 tests) [_]_ | wish to order (state number) __ISF Martins Test of Spoken English 1 TOSE CDS172 (US $300) 2pes £287 (US $500) 3pes £402 (US $700) 4+ pos £116 (US $200) each Total tee FOR UK ORDERS ONLY ADD UK VAT Total foo x 1.175 (UK VAT @ 17.5%) Matisec Publications requis pre-payment on all oidets. Please arrange payment by one ot the following methods: Bank Transfer (detats will be forwarded on receipt of order) Cheque enclosed for & (Cheques must be expressed in UK Pounds Stettng, drawn on & it Bank in the United Kingciom rade payable fo "Marisoc Publications Please debit my SwichWisalMastercard/Amex for © Nome of Carcholder: = - Core Number: CLT) swivoce: $C /CT Issue No. (Switch ony) [_[_] Signature: Date: