The Phases Explained

MarTEL tests are available at three phases. These phases are designed to test candidate’s competency in Maritime English for three different stages in their career. They aim to cover all classes of seafarer. All phases test the five key language learning skills: Reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar/SMCP.

• Phase 1 is designed for entry on to merchant navy cadet officer programmes for both deck and engineering cadet officers. This phase is designed for candidates at Cadet Level.
  Phase 1 tests at three levels of proficiency: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. All levels will include active skills, such as Speaking, Comprehension and Writing. The content will be based on active learning and on maritime terminology and usage with little emphasis on grammar.
• Phase 2 is split into two parts. One test is for Deck Officers and the other is for Marine Engineers. This phase is designed for candidates at Officer Level.
  Phase 2 is based on TOEFL 550 standards but with content based primarily on Navigation English and Marine Engineering English. These tests will focus on all skills, with less prominence given to grammar.
• Phase 3 is also divided into two parts. One test is for Senior Deck Officers and the other for Chief Engineers. This phase is designed for candidates at Senior Officer Level.
  Phase 3 is equivalent to TOEFL 600 and aimed at the senior officers in charge of vessels over 3000 GRT. The standard will include a section on language requirements for these vessels.

Why Three Phases?

There are three phases to MarTEL to ensure the maritime English language knowledge and competencies between the different levels and ranks of seafarer are met.

These phases are designed to test candidate’s competency in Maritime English for three different stages in their career. They aim to cover all classes of seafarer. All phases test the five key language learning skills: Reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar/SMCP.

For young people who wish to enrol on the programme of education and training for merchant navy officers, a MarTEL Phase 1 test would be undertaken. This is based on the vocational requirements for the programme of study that they intend to enrol on. In this sense, the MarTEL test is no different to any other test of English language proficiencies required for other college/university diplomas or degrees at similar levels.

The duties and responsibilities of Senior Officers and Officers are distinctly different and therefore it is necessary for two competency levels of maritime English. MarTEL Phase 2 test is for the Officer level whereas Phase 3 is for the Senior Officer level.

At these Officer and Senior Officer levels it is important to distinguish between the navigators (deck officers) and the marine engineering officers as the duties and skills required for each role are different. It is widely accepted from our research that different roles place heavier weightings on different communication skills. For example the Deck Officers weighting for the writing section is 10% whereas the Engineering Officers weighting for the same section is 5%.

At these three phases five tests have therefore been developed for the differing requirements of maritime English language competencies. The MarTEL team have taken onboard and conducted their own research in the field to establish different weightings for the different skills within the five tests.