Construct shift of marine engineering cadets in maritime English via on board training experience

This study focuses on construct shift in marine engineering cadets in the period between pre and post practicum. In accordance with IMO's requirements, practicum-on board training- is obligatory and standard pre-requisite for all prospective seafarers. Regarding engine crew members, it is compulsory to carry out working at sea for six months (twelve months for the engine cadets registered in 2013) prior to taking proficiency exam to be seafarer-entitled as a third marine engineer. Participants in this research are 50 marine engineering cadets of Istanbul Technical University. They responded to questionnaires and participated in interview sessions to express personal views on their English learning and utilization experience. Both data collection tools which were constructed in open ended and semi-structured styles were presented to cadets both before and after on-board training. Collected data was analyzed via SPSS 16.0.The study holds issues worth reconsidering in terms of content and quality in the teaching and learning process of maritime English. Besides, the study reveals significant results regarding both Service Providers (SP) and Service Receivers (SR), as it reflects the views of prospective marine engineers toward language related problems in the profession. Key words: Marine engineering cadets, maritime English, construct shift, pre and post practicum, on board training.