Maritime Language Training

Maritime Language Training with FlexiMod – English for Mariners SMCP Training Tools TOME – Test of Maritime English

 MarineSoft Entwicklungs- und Logistikgesellschaft mbH Friedrich-Barnewitz-Straße 2 18119 Rostock GERMANY   



+49 381 12835-0 +49 381 12835-55 [email protected] www.marinesoft.de

MarineSoft’s Maritime Language Training Tools

Overview 1.

Tools for Maritime Language Training ................................................................................. 3

2.

FlexiMod – English for Mariners .......................................................................................... 4 2.1 Unit 4 – That is for our safety  Example...................................................................... 6

3.

SMCP Training Tools .......................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Basic Drill Part A ......................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Basic Drill Part B ......................................................................................................... 12 3.2.1 Interactive learning-forms for training mode ....................................................... 13 3.3 Content Training .......................................................................................................... 15 3.4 Application Training/Multimedia Training ..................................................................... 16 3.4.1 Routine Communication Scenarios .................................................................... 18 3.4.2 Distress Communication Scenarios ................................................................... 19 3.5 SMCP Assessment...................................................................................................... 20 3.6 Training Package ........................................................................................................ 21

4.

TOME - Test of Maritime English ....................................................................................... 22 4.1 TOME Approval Certificate .......................................................................................... 26

5.

System Requirements ....................................................................................................... 27 5.1 FlexiMod – English for Mariners .................................................................................. 27 5.2 SMCP Training Tools .................................................................................................. 27 5.3 TOME – Test of Maritime English ................................................................................ 28

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1.

Tools for Maritime Language Training

Why is it necessary? In maritime information technology, there is a growing demand for the educational development of employees and service personnel. Nowadays a comprehensive knowledge in the technical fields of safety, emergency and risk management is required by the personnel. This knowledge must be supplemented by maritime English language proficiency and practical ship operation experience in order to guarantee maximum safety at sea. To meet the requirements specified in the IMO Model Course 3.17 ‘Maritime English’, our long experience in teaching courses in Maritime English, the assessment of the competencies in Maritime English of different kinds of crew members as well as the demands of our international clients (shipping companies and maritime academies) MarineSoft has developed the product ‘FlexiMod – English for Mariners’. ‘FlexiMod’ is strictly based on the curriculum of IMO Model Course 3.17 ‘Maritime English’, Core Section 1, and was developed as follows:  linguistic aspect, integrating the three language systems (grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation) with practice of the four language communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and  maritime contents including maritime topics and parts of the SMCP. As an essential step towards the reduction and elimination of communication shortcomings as demanded by STCW 95 and ISM Code, MarineSoft has adapted the approved Standard Marine Communication Phrases to a separate well-proved learning tool based on the blended learning method. Offering realistic scenarios of ship navigation and operation, the ‘SMCP Training Tools’ provide different interactive training activities subdivided by training of communication, basic language and special skills like the underlying principles of the SMCP. As a result of these two complex training systems, MarineSoft’s ‘TOME – Test of Maritime English’ was developed. ‘TOME’ is a test for officers and crew on vessels of any type and it assesses the language skills of mariners around the world. ‘TOME’ in its complete form is comprised of the linguistic content of ‘FlexiMod’ and the maritime content of the SMCP.

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FlexiMod – English for Mariners

2.

As result of a joint venture between ‘The Private Academy of Business and Technical Education’ and the MarineSoft GmbH, both located in Rostock, Germany, the courseware ‘FlexiMod – English for Mariners’ was developed. Long experience in teaching courses in Maritime English, the analysis of the command of Maritime English of different kinds of crew members as well as the demands of our international clients (ship owners and maritime academies) have clearly shown that only a book, even if it is of good quality and serves all targets and items defined in a curriculum like the IMO Model Course 3.17, is not sufficient to cover all the manifold -

organisational conditions objectives requirements of different groups of learners as far as job requirements subjective pre-conditions of the trainers/instructors subjective pre-conditions of the learners as far as their level of English are concerned.

With ‘FlexiMod – English for Mariners’ we are able to assist maritime English teachers with comprehensive courseware material for maritime English. The paperwork covers 20 Units for approximately 90 hours of teaching (1 teaching hour corresponds to 45 minutes). The courseware was developed under two main aspects: The linguistic aspect follows a multi-syllabus approach that integrates the three language systems (grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation) with practice of the four language communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Each of the units considers this approach and is subdivided into exercises to practice these skills. The courseware is accompanied by a CD ROM with listening exercises for each unit. For teaching purposes the material is structured into instructor information, worksheets, worksheets with solutions, handouts and tests. Two kinds of tests are prepared for use: knowledge-based tests for testing grammar and vocabulary and skill-based tests like listening or writing tests. The second aspect is the maritime content. It includes generalised maritime topics, most of which will be relevant to all trainees, however, the instructor may want to adapt, extend or supplement the maritime topics to suit the particular needs of the trainees.

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In correspondence to Core Section 1 of IMO’s Maritime English Course 3.17 maritime topics are as follows: Part 1       

Unit 1 That's me – the sailor Unit 2 That's my job Unit 3 That's my vessel Unit 4 That’s for our safety Unit 5 That's our voyage Unit 6 That's the right way Unit 7 That's my free time

      

Unit 8 What is he doing there? Unit 9 Would you like some more? Unit 10 What assistance is required? Unit 11 How many cubic metres cargo space are required? Unit 12 What are your specifications? Unit 13 What about the passengers? Unit 14 What is the weather like?

     

Unit 15 I left the bridge as usual at midnight … Unit 16 I did not transmit a distress alert Unit 17 I require medical assistance Unit 18 I haven't inspected the engine yet Unit 19 I would like to confirm in written form … Unit 20 I read you good

Part 2

Part 3

’FlexiMod’ is deliverable as:  Computer Based Training or  Web Based Training (controlled by a Learning Management System) o including teacher’s manual (incl. solutions + Audio CD).

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2.1

Unit 4 – That is for our safety  Example

Topic:

Describing location and purpose of safety equipment

Hours:

3

Objectives Targets a) b)

Grammar

a) b) c) d) e) a) a)

Vocabulary

Phonology

b) Communication Skills c) d) a) b)

SMCP

Topics Preposition of place Repetition there is/there are and preposition of place Safety equipment Checking the conditions of the safety equipment Places on a vessel Parts of a room Furniture Word stress Listening: Making a crew member familiar with the safety equipment Writing: The condition of safety equipment and what has to be done. Reading: Survival equipment Speaking: What about the safety equipment on board of your vessel? SMCP B4.1.1 Conduct of Passengers on Board SMCP B4.1.2 Briefing on Safety Regulations, Preventive Measures and Communication

Recommended sequence in the learning and teaching process Vocabulary: a) Safety equipment; Phonology: a) Words stress; Safety equipment Grammar: b) Repetition there is/there are and preposition of place Making a crew member familiar Communication skills: a) Listening with the safety equipment Checking the conditions of the Vocabulary: b) Condition of a) Safety equipment safety equipment Communication skills: b) Writing Places on the vessel Vocabulary: c) Places on the vessel Locations on the vessel Grammar: a) Prepositions of place Communication skills: c) Reading; Survival equipment SMCP: Extra text for reading Vocabulary: Parts of a room and furniture Rooms and furniture Grammar: b) Repetition there is/there are and preposition of place What about the safety equipment Communication skills: d) Speaking on board of your vessel? B4.1.1 Conduct of Passengers on Board; SMCP B4.1.2 Briefing on Safety Regulations, Preventive Measures and Communication

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Example picture from ’FlexiMod’ CBT version

The following pictures are taken from MarineSoft’s Learning Management System.

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3.

SMCP Training Tools

Based on realistic scenarios of ship navigation and operation, the training system offers different interactive training activities subdivided by training of communication, basic language and special skills like the underlying principles of the SMCP. There are two components to work with the training program - individual and group learning. MarineSoft’s SMCP Training Tools utilise modern and effective learning methods in a flexible environment, independent of local and temporal limitations. Therefore, it is well suited for selfstudy, as well as group training, with the evaluation of participants by means of tests or a trainer. Due to the multinational nature of the shipping and maritime industry, on-board training in English language, standard communication and technical competency according to the IMO Model Courses will become more and more important to ensure effective ship operation and improve on-board safety. To be a successful competitor in the international seafaring means to take responsible action in accordance with the current maritime requirements and demands. The training system contains tools, which help the trainee to obtain necessary information to utilise the needed phrases and scenarios - through the following training parts:      

Basic Drill Part A Basic Drill Part B Content Training Application Training Multimedia Training SMCP Assessment

The trainee's progress throughout the learning courses is stored in a SMCP database and can be evaluated immediately by a trainer.

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The full course package consists of the basic drill of the standard phrases, application and multimedia scenarios, exercises for the training of special content and initial assessment tests. According to the personal preconditions of trainees it is recommended to carry out the training process within two phases. Basically students have to drill this specialised Standard Marine Communication Vocabulary. Multimedia communication modules are implemented in the system to enable intensive listening and speaking activities. After that training trainees should be able to react orally by using given information in accordance with different routine and distress situations. The trainees can make familiar themselves with the contexts of real life-based scenarios (multimedia scenarios) during the second phase (e.g. role-play scenario ’Approaching port’). The training concept can be used in particular to refresh or study Maritime English, for the training of standard maritime vocabulary, pronunciation and the drill of specific grammar and content topics. A sophisticated skill of Maritime English is an essential precondition for the right comprehension of tasks and instructions for other training forms like GMDSS or simulation based engine training.

3.1

Basic Drill Part A

Covering the revised SMCP textbook ‘Basic Drill Part A’ is designed to teach and train the basics, which determine the use of the SMCP. The training is focussed on the drill of maritime vocabulary and phrases’ structure. Learning forms like multiple choice, fill in or drag & drop questions offer a widespread range of interactions for the user. Each phase can be used independently of each other. In compliance with the mandatory part A of the SMCP these courses are available:  

General Procedures External Communication Phrases  A1 Distress Traffic  A2 Urgency Traffic  A3 Safety Communications  A4 Pilotage  A5 Specials  A6 Vessel Traffic Service  A7 Standard GMDSS Messages  A8 On-Board Communication Phrases

Course overview

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Navigation page

 A1 Distress Traffic  Distress Communication

Example page

 A1 Distress Traffic  Distress Communication  Fire, Explosion

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3.2

Basic Drill Part B

In addition to the mandatory part A the following courses are available too: 

On-board Communication Phrases  B1 Operative Ship Handling  B2 Safety on Board  B3 Cargo and Cargo Handling  B4 Passenger Care

Two learning modes are included – training and test.

Training mode for topic Passenger Care Attending to Passengers in an Emergency

The training mode allows to work through an exercise/lesson as often as needed by a trainee. Immediate feedback is given within the training mode. Additionally each text phrase has a sound version using a natural voice in Basic Drill Part A and a computer generated voice in Basic Drill Part B. A maritime glossary describing and explaining most of the technical terms in English is always usable. Each lesson finishes with a brief test.

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3.2.1 Interactive learning-forms for training mode

Training mode for topic Passenger Care - a combination of drag & drop and multiple-choice techniques

Training mode for topic Message Markers Fill in template

Training mode for topic Passenger Care - a typical multiple choice question

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Training mode for topic Message Marker Drag & drop techniques

Example of an evaluation page (Quiz Summary) Scoring of the results

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3.3

Content Training

This training part is dedicated mainly to the training of selected single topics. Basically the underlying principles of the SMCP and their specialties compared with general English should be explored and trained with the help of these modules. Topics, which can be trained, are:      

Principle 1  KISS = Keep It Short and Simple, Principle 2  Avoid synonyms and give preference to words with Latin roots, Principle 3  Avoid contracted forms, Principle 4  Fully worded answers, Message Marker o for applying Message Markers in the right way, o for building correct instructions, Vocabulary trainer for maritime nouns, verbs and adjectives

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3.4

Application Training/Multimedia Training

The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Module is suitable for the training of persons such as VTS operators and navigators in the Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP). Based on standard situations in ship-to-shore, ship-to-ship and on-board communication various situations have been created to train listening and speaking abilities in particular. Aiming to foster the ability to apply the phrases in the right context, real communication behaviour is trained. Comparable to the basic training design every application training scenario covers a listening test to assess trainees’ understanding of the situation.

Starting Screen A short introduction informs about the situation/actions happened in this scenario.

Single scenario Necessary facts and activities are explained here.

Arriving the point of listening training the user/trainee can decide between two training procedures. First one should listen to the whole communication regarding the activities happened within this scene and try to understand them. If it is too difficult to understand what was happened the user/trainee can choose the second way and start the text-based communication to follow the dialogues step by step. Each spoken text can be activated immediately after each other or has to be built.

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Text-based communication training (Application training) The short text below the picture explains how to build up the text-based communication.

Communication training (Multimedia modules) The short text below the picture sums up the activities and facts, to carry out a role-play.

As it is highly important to apply the phrases in the right manner; it is just so important to understand them exactly. Therefore listening tests have been included to evaluate listening comprehension. Each module covers a listening test, which based on the former dialogues trained in this module.

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3.4.1 Routine Communication Scenarios

The following scenarios are offered for Routine Communication training on-board and ashore: Approaching port

‘Approaching port’ consists of an introduction to the basic situation as well as a description of seven different situations during the procedure ‘Approaching port’. Each situation comprises the corresponding on-board and external communication.

Leaving port

‘Leaving port’ combines the introduction situation with five communication situations, which are mainly external communication situations completed by necessary on-board communication.

Pilotage

‘Pilotage’ combines the introduction situation with eleven communication scenes mainly describing the external communication between ship and shore, ship and pilot boat, ship and port control completed by on-board communication between pilot and crew.

Tug Assistance The module ’Tug Assistance’ describes within six situations an arrangement of berthing under tug assistance. The main emphasis has been put on the communication between the ship and port control facilities as well as the ship and the tugs.

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Passenger Care ‘Passenger Care’ combines the introduction with six single communication scenes. They mainly describe the on-board communication between the Captain, the officers and passengers. The phrases of this module should be used by Masters, officers and crew members of passenger ships and ferries to inform the passengers about safety aspects and to organise their conduct in case of an emergency.

3.4.2 Distress Communication Scenarios

The Distress Communication part covers the modules: Fire on Board ‘Fire on Board’ consists of one introduction and seven communication scenes. According to international regulations all passengers must be assembled in a drill, which has to take place within 24 hours after leaving port and have to be informed on safety aspects in case of an emergency. This module helps to train all the phrases needed to inform the passengers in a correct manner.

Search and Rescue ‘Search and Rescue’ combines the introduction situation with twelve single situations mainly describing the distress communication among ships participating in a search and rescue operation. The introduction to each situation is given by VTS reporting procedures as the identification by radar, sailing plans or position reports. This module aims for a good emergency preparation of the captain and his crew to use these phrases in an emergency correctly and without hesitation. The fate of ships and their crew may fate on this. Collision ‘Collision’ consists of eleven situations. The content describes a collision between the vessels ‘Artic Light’ and ‘Mustang’ as well as communication with Vessel Traffic Station/Hamburg Port Control. This module includes external communication, on-board communication and emergency steps to master the situation.

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3.5

SMCP Assessment

This training part serves mainly the purpose of self-evaluation. Therefore several test topics are pre-defined to build individual multiple-choice tests. The trainee/user can choose between the number of ten to fifty questions to generate a global or a specific test from the following subjects:    

Global Assessment Distress Communication Routine Communication Standard Orders

The test questions are built in a random order. All questions are chosen from a data pool of about 1500 questions.

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3.6

Training Package

The SMCP Training Tools are available as single and network version. The SMCP Training Package contains the following training parts: SMCP Phrases, of Part A and Part B including maritime vocabulary, structure, grammar and o SMCP Procedures, Spelling, o SMCP Distress Urgency Safety Signals, o SMCP Message Marker, o SMCP Responses, o SMCP Numbers, Positions, Bearings. Content Package including o SMCP underlying principles (four modules) o SMCP vocabulary trainer (nouns, verbs and adjectives) Application Scenarios, for Routine and Distress Communication, for self-study purposes of SMCP structure (applied in conjunction with maritime scenarios) (all application scenarios include a listening test) o Approaching Port, o Leaving Port, o Tug Assistance, o Pilotage, o Passenger Care, o Fire on Board, o Search and Rescue, o Collision. Multimedia Scenarios, for Routine and Distress Communication, especially designed for classroom training and shouting lessons o Approaching Port, o Leaving Port, o Tug Assistance, o Pilotage, o Passenger Care, o Fire on Board, o Search and Rescue, o Collision. SMCP Assessment with o Global Assessment test for mandatory SMCP part, o Routine Communication test, o Distress Communication test, o Standard Orders test. The Network Version also includes a Course Management System (CMS) for administration of: o Courses, o Students, o Result administration, o Additional reports, o Certificates. MarineSoft GmbH

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4.

TOME - Test of Maritime English

TOME – Test of Maritime English is a test for officers and crew on vessels of any type. It has been developed in order to assess the language skills of Mariners around the world. TOME in its complete form consists of three main sections:  Section 1: Listening Comprehension  Section 2: Reading Comprehension  Section 3: Mastering of SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) As TOME is a complex test,  it can be used in three different formats: for crew members 1 (low format = 33 tasks in each section), for crew members 2 (medium format = 66 tasks in each section), for officers (full format = 99 tasks in each section),  the skills to be tested can be selected: you can choose either Listening, Reading and SMCP at  Basic Level,  Intermediate Level or  Advanced Level.

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The following skills and topics will be tested: Topics Listening and Reading  Personal information  Vessel and crew  Giving locations  Routine operation on board  Safety equipment  Emergency situations  Cargo handling  Passenger care  Vessel specifications  Reporting events and accidents  VHF messages  Written forms of communication SMCP       

Generals Message Markers Responses Distress/Urgency/Safety Communication VTS Communication Cargo and cargo handling Passenger Care

Skills Grammar  Pronouns  Short answers  Prepositions and conjunctions  Tenses: Present, Past, Present Perfect  Question and Negation  Adjective and adverb  Imperatives  Passenger care  Engine parts Vocabulary  Adjectives of nationality  Spelling  Verbs of work routine, maintenance of the engine  Safety equipment and its conditions  Route and directions  Emergency situations  Verbs describing accidents  Cargo handling

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4.1

TOME Approval Certificate

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5.

System Requirements

The following system requirements have to be fulfilled:

5.1

5.2

FlexiMod – English for Mariners 1.

English Operating System Windows 7

2.

Internet Explorer Version 7.0

3.

Processor: minimum Pentium 4, 1,2 GHz

4.

Free HD memory: minimum 300 MB

5.

RAM: minimum 512 MB

6.

Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 Pixel and 16 Bit colours

7.

Other requirements: CD-ROM Drive, Printer

SMCP Training Tools

IMPORTANT: When you want to use more than 10 clients running at the same time a Windows Server Operating System is required. 1.


2.


3.


4.

Free HD memory: minimum 1,0 GB

5.

RAM: minimum 512 MB

6.

Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 Pixel and 16 Bit colours

7.

Other requirements: CD-ROM Drive, latest Acrobat Reader, Printer

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5.3

TOME – Test of Maritime English

IMPORTANT: If TOME is used as network version a network bandwidth of 100 Mbit or higher is required.

1.


2.


3.


4.

Free HD memory: minimum 200 MB

5.

RAM: minimum 512 MB

6.

Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 Pixel and 16/32 Bit colours

7.

Other requirements:

CD-ROM Drive, latest Acrobat Reader, Printer

For further information please contact: MarineSoft GmbH Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 2 18119 Rostock Germany Phone: Fax: Email: Web:

MarineSoft GmbH

+49 381 12835-0 +49 381 12835-55 [email protected] www.marinesoft.de

January 2013

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Maritime Language Training

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