The Teaching and Learning of Maritime English and its Implications to Improving Communication Skills and Cultural Awareness of Filipino Seafarers

This study looked at the practices, status, issues and prospects concerning the teaching and learning of Maritime English and drew implications related to English communication skills and cultural awareness of Filipino seafarers. The methodology used in the study falls primarily within an interpretive-descriptive paradigm with the major goal of gaining an insider perspective on the key construct of practices in the teaching and learning of Maritime English. The study revealed significant findings on the profile of Maritime English teachers, learners’ language needs and their attitudes toward Maritime English, teachers’ and students’ perceptions of Maritime English as well as implications to improving communication skills and cultural awareness of the Filipino seafarers. As an output of the study, a prototype syllabus and lesson exemplars for teaching Maritime English was developed. Use of these instructional materials is recommended.