The Marlins Test Of Spoken English (TOSE)

As you know, the best and highest-paid jobs are most often found on foreign vessels, and it is impossible to get there without a proper level of English.

The TOSE test (Test of Spoken English) is a test of spoken English that is often required by the shipowner, as is the Marlins certificate. The TOSE certificate is a mandatory requirement for working on UK-flagged vessels. The test results can be requested and rechecked by the UK ISAS or other government agencies.

The most important condition – this test can only be passed in a special certified center Approved TOSE Training center. Marine MAN Ltd ® provides training and the opportunity to pass testing in Ukraine in accordance with the international standards of Marlins Maritime English. A previously obtained Marlins certificate is required to be eligible for testing.

The approved certificate is a classic model for the offshore, passenger and merchant fleets, as well as a kind of guarantee that the test was passed clearly in accordance with accepted standards.

What will you expect during the Test of Speaking English?

The test itself looks like a conversation between a seafarer and a Marlins representative with official confirmation. This will test your vocabulary, knowledge of marine terminology, spoken English, pronunciation, the ability to correctly build sentences in terms of grammar, as well as listening comprehension. TOSE allows you to comprehensively assess the level of knowledge of a potential crew member. As part of the dialogue, the interviewer can touch on completely different topics – both domestic and professional (for example, the device, operation and maintenance of the ship, your direct professional duties), so the examinee is required to be able to maintain a conversation at a high level, regardless of what the topic was set. The essence of the test is to test the ability and readiness to fully communicate in English and perceive information in it, since team members are required to understand each other without problems. Otherwise, it is fraught with not only misunderstandings in the team, but also more serious troubles.

After the exam is over, you will be evaluated on a five-point scale, setting marks from A to E. the Interviewer can additionally comment on your answers in writing. After that, a TOSE certificate is issued, which indicates the level of language proficiency assigned to you – Beginner, Elementary, Lower Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate or Advanced. This certificate is confirmed by the appropriate seals of the certified center and signed. The results of the previous Marlins test are also entered here.

During preparation, first of all, you should pay attention to oral practice. It is not enough to know the language well, you need not be afraid to communicate in it. You can ask those who took the test earlier what nuances may arise. It is also necessary to train online-this will not only tell you what to be ready for, but also indicate topics that would be worth repeating.

Given that approximately 90% of Ukrainian seafarers would like to get a place on a foreign vessel under the flag, the implementation of Marlins and TOSE is not just fulfilling the requests of the STCW Convention, but also an incentive for seafarers to improve their language skills so that they can fully perform their direct duties on Board.

The combination of two tests – Marlins and TOSE-demonstrates both the level of professional knowledge and English skills, thus determining whether a candidate is suitable for the position he would like to get. The Marlins and TOSE exams are accepted as a national standard by many States and organizations – for example, the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency, Irish Maritime Directorate, Australia Maritime Safety Authority, Gibraltar Maritime Administration, Papua New Guinea, and Bulgarian Maritime Administration. Several other countries are currently in the process of implementation.

Qualified and competent assistance in passing the TOSE test in Odessa – with Marin MAN, you can count on the help of professionals.