Some of the Evaluators' opinions are very interesting and IMO's sub-committee on the Safety of Navigation: NAV.45 has been instructed to place the SMCP on the provisional Agenda for NAV.46 which meets next year...so there will be much debate before the Phrases can be published and taught in all maritime training establishments.
// EXPANDING textbooks and technical course material creatively then demands imagination and some initial research. But teaching materials are only as good as the manner in which they are taught.
// Here are a few suggestions to encourage LEARNER-CENTRED or Communicative Methodology: egillustrations of Dalian Teachers - here Teacher trainees are involved in their own learning with time to internalise new language in the context of a ship and its routine operations. Working on tasks encourages responsibility and sharing knowledge - compiling sensible case studies or problem solving involves careful preparation but - over time - results in a productive learning environment, trainees generally becoming proactive and enthusiastic in working together.
Collaborative creation of explanations and descriptions, tackling and suggesting solutions to problems promotes teambuilding and practise in meeting deadlines - as Ship's Officers and crews are expected to do aboard ship. Teachers share 100% authentic material, providing visual impact, immediate information, and opportunities for open discussion.
For example: On my Maritime English programs, a common unit is: SHIP RECOGNITION: illustrations of different SHIPS ......
where Trainee groups study a selection of different ships and worksheet questions to answer to the best of their knowledge; once groups have completed as many questions as possible, their material is compared with that of the other groups. Trainees can produce their own ideas and language within the task concept, everyone contributing creating a shared outcome for class review and discussion.
