Maritime education and language as the acting link between bridge and engine room – a report

Maritime education is a significant component in preparing future seafarers with the technical competence, practical skills, and communication abilities required in the global shipping industry. As a major seafarers' provider, the Philippines aligns Maritime Education and Training (MET) with the global standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW). A key component of MET is the language training in Maritime English and Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), which has a profound impact on maritime students' communication competence. The report, applying the Sociocultural Theory of Vygotsky, investigated the impact and found that the command of Maritime English is essential in ensuring safety and efficient operations. Simulation exercises, situated language learning, and international training programs provide experiential language competence to maritime students, resulting in the ability to navigate multicultural shipboard environments efficiently. The findings indicated that MET is recognized by the students as essential in communication skill development to ensure international standard compliance, efficient use of SMCP, and clear interpersonal and technical communication. Moreover, experiential learning activities such as emergency training and multicultural exposure also affect the students' value of language training. The report concluded that systematic language training in MET courses is essential in providing competent seafarers with practical communication competencies, ensuring safer and more efficient maritime operations. / Keywords: communication competence, maritime education, maritime English, seafarer training, simulation-based learning, standard marine communication phrases (SMCP)