INTEGRATING IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT LEARNING APPROACHES IN MARITIME ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: A FRAMEWORK FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

This article examines the integration of implicit and explicit learning strategies in teaching Maritime English as a foreign language, particularly focusing on the unique needs of the maritime context. The main purpose is to explore how blending unconscious language acquisition with conscious instruction can enhance seafarers’ communicative competence and safety. Key findings from the literature indicate that a combined approach can improve learners’ mastery of Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) and their ability to communicate under real operational conditions. This has significant implications for maritime institutions and academies in curriculum design, for educators in adopting balanced pedagogies, and for policymakers in aligning training standards with effective language acquisition methods. Such integration promises not only better comprehension and retention of maritime terminology, but also improved real-time communication performance in critical situations