STCW 95 stipulates that among other requirements, Officers of the Watch need a level of English, "adequate to communicate with other ships, coastal stations and multilingual crews".
This vague definition highlights the difficulty in pinpointing exactly what is expected. Communicating in a foreign language is a complex process. It requires linguistic knowledge and a wide range of skills. Rote learning of simple phrases will not suffice in circumstances such as emergencies and inspections - a much broader and deeper ability to communicate effectively is required.
At Marlins we teach the essential combination of knowledge and skills which enables seafarers to approach every situation with more confidence. Confidence breeds fluency and a willingness to continue to build upon existing knowledge.