The table below suggests recommended levels of English language for Deck and Engineering personnel, using Test of Spoken English (TOSE).
| Level / Department | Test of Spoken English (TOSE) Minimum acceptable TOSE result (overall) | Common European Framework of Reference Equivalent (CEFR) |
| Management & Operational Level Navigational Dept. | ||
Master | Upper Intermediate | C1 |
| Chief Officer | Intermediate | B2 |
| 2nd Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| 3rd Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| Deck cadets | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| Engineering Dept. | | |
Chief Engineer Officer | Intermediate | B2 |
| 2nd Engineer Officer or 1st Assistant Engineer Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| Electrical Technical Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| 3rd Engineer Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| 4th Engineer Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| Electrical Engineer Officer | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| Trainee Marine Engineers | Lower intermediate | B1 |
| Support Level | ||
Bosun | Lower intermediate | B1 |
AB (watchkeeping) | Lower intermediate | B1 |
AB | Elementary | A2 |
OS | Elementary | A2 |
Fitter / ER CPO | Elementary | A2 |
| Petty Officer Electrician | Lower Intermediate | B1 |
| ER (watchkeeping ratings) | Lower intermediate | B1 |
Pumpman | Lower Intermediate | B1 |
Wiper | Elementary | A2 |
Chief Cook | Lower Intermediate | B1 |
Galley ratings / Messmen | Elementary | A2 |
Definitions of English Language Levels
When referring to different language levels, Marlins use the following definitions which are widely recognised in English Language Assessment. These definitions are also used by IMO in IMO Model Course 3.17, Maritime English.
The definitions below are also in the ICS Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE) and are accepted by the UK MCA and the Irish Flag Administration.
| Language Level: | Definition: |
| Advanced | Near native-speaker proficiency in all aspects of communication. Has no difficulty with comprehension and can express abstract concepts accurately and fluently. Able to resolve any problems of comprehension effectively. |
| Upper Intermediate | Confident in using a wide range of language to express himself accurately and fluently in all but the most demanding situations. Makes some minor mistakes but these do not generally prevent him being understood. Experiences occasional problems of comprehension but these can usually be overcome with a little help. |
| Intermediate | At ease communicating about everyday topics and more abstract concepts. Makes some mistakes but is usually able to correct any major errors which prevent him being understood. Able to understand the essence of native speaker English but may misunderstand details. |
| Lower Intermediate | Can communicate satisfactorily about everyday topics with a restricted range of language. Able to understand native speakers of English talking at a measured pace with some rephrasing and repetition. Comprehension is likely to fail under pressure. |
| Elementary | Able to use English for very basic, everyday needs but without sustained fluency and with many errors. Has a limited understanding of spoken English, requires a lot of rephrasing, repetition and simplification of language. |
| Beginner | Knows virtually no English and cannot understand spoken or written English. Or ‘false beginner’, ie knows a few words or phrases of English. May be able to string together very basic questions or sentences using a very narrow range of English but has extreme difficulty making himself understood. Fails to understand natural spoken or written English adequately. |