Teacher Support:
* a supportive organisational atmospher = agreement on change
* freedom from teaching to attend an in-service training course
* resources: access to international shipping newspapers & journals IMO publications, Shipping Co. advertising etc.
* Not too many trainees: ie 20/30 - larger classes means logistic / noise problems with group work taking too long to include everyone in class discussion / reporting / consolidation work
* Videos are very useful if carefully prepared: IMO / VIDEOTEL are quite expensive but AMSA / Environment Australia / WWF material on Safety and pollution prevention is free!!
SUBJECT INSTRUCTORS' involvement: it is not possible for a teacher of English to rapidly assimilate knowledge of ships, their operation, cargoes and maintenance etc; developing this understanding requires either the person having been working at sea, or given time to research and the empathetic support of subject instructors ...eg Dalian instructors. I find that instructors in Navigation, Engineering Electrical equipment, Radar, Meteorology etc. are usually very interested in the conversion programs and willingly become involved; often older, ex-seafarers, welcome the opportunity to 'brush up their English' and enjoy helping the English teachers learn about their topics. Simple technical text, diagrams, photographs and visits to the specialist centres introduce English teachers to basic technical concepts.
