OVERVIEW

This course is designed to improve the level of Maritime English of Deck Offcers and Marine Engineers.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course of scientific English enables students to gain sufficient specific knowledge in order to overcome the barrier of the English language, drawing from international scientific literature, not only for the purposes of professional updating, but also to master techical terminology in the maritime sector.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objectives of the course are to:

• develop the trainees’ competence in the use of English in written and oral form in general maritime communications
• ensure that trainees possess the knowledge, understanding and proficiency in English as set out in the STCW Code
• enable trainees to master the use of the IMO standard marine communication phrases
• give trainees wide-ranging opportunities to learn by being actively involved and practising task-based communication in English for maritime and general purposes
• develop the trainees’ ability in using specialised maritime English for Deck Officers to perform effective routine and emergency aural/oral communications
• develop the trainees’ ability in using specialised maritime English for Marine Engineers to understand engineering publications in English and perform their duties
• promote the study skills essential for continuing independent learning

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific prequisites but trainees are expected to have a basic knowledge of basic General English.

TEACHING METHODS

The methodology is based on the principles of the Communicative Approach in that it promotes practical, content-based, communicative competence in English, according to the requirements of the STCW Convention.

The lessons envisage classroom, webinars, groupwork, pairwork and individual study.

Besides some technical terms, the lessons will be held entirely in English and will provide practice in reading and listening comprehension and speaking skills.

The material will be made available on Microsoft Teams and/or Aulaweb.

Working students and students with certified SLD (Specific Learning Disorders), disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination arrangements so to take into account individual learning patterns, while respecting the teaching objectives.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The syllabus will cover the following content: types of vessel; discuss navigational routes and geographic locations; understand standard helm orders; name positions onboard and give directions; describe routine operations on board and watchkeeping duties, understand standard engine orders; develop cultural awareness relating to passengers, nationality and food on board; understand commands in emergency situations on board; describe weather conditions and understand weather forecasts; report incidents that occurred at sea; request for medical assistance; and understand some technical and legal language of the STCW Convention.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Resources, material and feedback will be provided on Microsoft Teams and/or Aulaweb.

Supplementary material is provided at the request of student workers or students with SLD to meet their specific needs.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

JAMES LOGAN REYNOLDS (President)

MAURO GIOVANNINI

MASSIMO FIGARI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

SINCE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVIDE A DEFINITIVE LESSON SCHEDULE NOW DUE TO THE COVID EMERGENCY AND PROVISIONS RELEASED BY UNIGE CONCERNING THE TEACHING ACTIVITY IN PHASE 3, WE STRONGLY RECCOMMEND THAT STUDENTS FREQUENTLY VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATE:

https://corsi.unige.it/10948/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam consists in an Oral assessment to ensure that the trainees have met the course objectives.

In case of emergency and only according to specific indications by the University of Genoa, the assessment method for the exam might be changed, including the possibility of an online procedure.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

There will be 2 formative tests during the course and 1 final summative exam at the end:

• a written test to asses the trainees’ proficiency at the start of the course
• a written progress test half-way through the course 
• an Oral exam at the end of the course to ensure that the trainees have met the course objectives.

The final mark ranges from a minimum of 18 points to a maximum of 30 points "cum laude".

For disabled or SLD students, the examination procedure conforms to the University’s regulations for carrying out the exams (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

Exam schedule