Authors : Koutsogianni Sofia

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5wzur96m

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/32jsshem

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar2133

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Maritime English constitutes a specialized field of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) that addresses the communicative demands of a multilingual and multicultural maritime environment, where effective interaction is directly linked to operational safety and efficiency. Historical and contemporary evidence demonstrates that inadequate English proficiency among crew members can lead to misunderstandings and maritime incidents, highlighting the necessity of standardized and context-specific language use. Within this framework, Maritime English is positioned under English for Occupational Purposes, focusing on real-life communicative tasks such as bridge operations, ship-to-ship communication, emergency procedures, and technical documentation. The theoretical foundations of ESP, including needs analysis and communicative competence, emphasize the importance of designing courses that are directly aligned with learners’ professional roles and practical requirements. Adult learners, who form the primary audience in maritime education, bring goal-oriented motivation, prior professional experience, and specific learning constraints, necessitating flexible, learner-centered, and task-based instructional approaches. Effective teaching practices include the use of simulations, role-plays, and authentic materials, as well as alignment with international standards such as the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases and the STCW Convention. The IMO Model Course 3.17 further supports structured Maritime English instruction by integrating communicative language teaching, content-based instruction, and collaboration between language and subject specialists. Overall, the effective integration of ESP principles, adult learning theories, and industry-specific requirements enables the development of communicative competence that is essential for safe and efficient maritime operations.

Keywords : Adult Learners, Content-based Instruction, ESP, IMO Model Course 3.17, Maritime English, Needs Analysis.

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