English for Seafarers via Skype

A good knowledge of English has long ceased to be a privilege. Rather, for a seafarer, this has become a professional default requirement. It is no secret that the most interesting contracts are waiting for you on foreign vessels, where you cannot get without a decent level of English. Therefore, excuses that you are not given languages are simply not quoted.

It is difficult to argue with the need to speak English – communication with crew members and superiors, as well as maintaining ship’s documentation, takes place in this language. On Board, a mistake or misinterpreted phrase can cost too much, so the requirement to know English is not a simple whim of shipping companies. In addition, in any case, you will have to pass a test in English to get the desired job. Do not forget about the huge competition among those who want to work on ships – a high level of English will help you stand out from a large number of applicants.

Usually, in the intervals between flights, seafarers take it upon themselves to tighten their English. Watching movies and TV series in the original helps a lot. Initially, you can include subtitles. It is important to try to look less into the dictionary, catching the General meaning of the text. For the same purpose, try listening to audiobooks and various podcasts. You can install the Duolingo or Lingualeo apps on your smartphone – you can use Them to learn new words and repeat the material you have learned in your free time. Websites and public sites dedicated to learning English often publish grammar topics in simple tables, as well as collections of words and expressions on a particular topic. Communication on Board is not always about professional topics, it is important to be able to maintain a conversation at the everyday level. It is not superfluous to read more in English, trying to remember new words and phrases that are often found. Increase your vocabulary in any possible way. Motivate yourself with the fact that to know English for seafarers is as important as competent to perform their direct professional duties. Print out drawings and diagrams and make captions to them in English – now you do not need to know the names of parts in your native language, try to remember new English terms.

The main documentation and instructions are written in English. You will have to learn specialized terminology from the dictionary, and you should be prepared for this. Listen to the speech of foreign and more experienced colleagues, if you are already in the team. As soon as your level of knowledge reaches the intermediate level, you can safely count on easy passing tests and getting a job on a foreign ship.

Many people prefer to take language courses or, even more effectively, to work with a teacher individually. Often the choice is made in favor of Skype lessons, which does not detract from the effectiveness of classes.

Since today it seems more convenient for many people to study remotely, Marine MAN Ltd ® offers English lessons via Skype with a qualified teacher of the Highest category, Svetlana Nikitina. The teacher has many years of experience in training seamen of various specialties. Svetlana Nikitina graduated from the faculty of Romano-Germanic Philology of the Odessa state University, taught at the Odessa Maritime Academy and the universities of Kherson. She won the competition “Best teacher by profession”. I have been on various types of vessels many times and have been present at the launching of new ships, so very familiar with the design of the vessel firsthand. Has a brilliant translation of the documentation of the vessel. She was trained at TEFS courses in Aberdeen (Scotland) and IELTS-exam in England. For more than seven years, she worked in crisis centers for seafarers in England, Scotland and Holland.

You can choose the time of your classes that is convenient for you. Preparing for tests and working out the profile vocabulary. Spoken English and working on pronunciation. Speaking English is on Top of Game.