What is MarTEL?
MarTEL-is standardised tests of Maritime English for safer seas. It is acknowledged
by all concerned that effective knowledge of English at sea and in ports is a must
for all seafarers responsible for safety and security of the ship, its crew and
its passengers.
MarTEL offers the tests at three different phases. Phase 1 is based on upper intermediate/advanced
level of English, Phase 2 is for Officers of Watch for Deck and Marine Engineers
and Phase 3 is for senior officers such as senior deck and senior marine engineers.
Each test will be based on key skills of English language; Grammar, Reading, Listening,
Speaking and Writing.
MarTEL tests are presently being piloted by the original project partners. A large
number of partners from outside the original partnership have been supportive of
the development of the MarTEL standards and are also piloting the tests in their
own institutions and organisations.
In the coming months the test will be available in a large number of institutions
across Europe. Initially the test will be available quarterly and then on a monthly
basis.
MarTEL has three levels of grading these are Pass, Merit and Distinction. Also,
a percentage mark will be given.
To prepare the candidate, each phase of MarTEL comprises of a study guide for each
phase which will give examples of the type of questions that will be in the test
for that phase. In the guidelines there are a number of samples and practice tests
to prepare the test taker. These guidelines are free of charge and are available
on the website. In addition, a sample study unit has been developed to support each
phase of MarTEL tests that outlines the study areas that will be tested.
MarTEL tests were founded and developed by the European Union (EU) and eight major
players in the maritime education and training community across Europe as well as
several external consultants, examiners and verifiers. The external verification
includes countries both inside and outside the partnership. MarTEL partnership has
many years of experience in EU project developments and work very closely with the
rest of the International maritime community. They have a number of years of experience
in the testing and assessment of maritime education and training following internationally
recognised assessment processes and programmes.
More details are available in the "test taker information leaflet"
Why choose Martel?
MarTEL is the vocational element of English language for seafarers and should be
treated as any other ESP (English for Specific Purposes). MarTEL clearly has identified
the English language needs of each type and rank of seafarers, setting English proficiency
level at three different phases. MarTEL overcomes the limitations of SMCP and removes
the need to use standards such as IELTS and TOEFL as these are not designed for
seafarers’ requirements.
MarTEL tests all five main language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
as well as Grammar/SMCP.
Our research shows that MarTEL puts the test-takers into real life maritime scenarios
with its assessment process, where possible. The tests are designed for the test
takers who are planning to become involved or are involved in the maritime field.
These maritime based tests will motivate the test taker to undertake MarTEL standardised
tests. This will lead to an improved understanding of English for real life scenarios
especially when in an English speaking environment.
MarTEL has established the highest quality assurance and control system. The MarTEL
grading system is based on the novel and reliable criterion referencing system which
is in line with the requirements of one the most well-known competence measuring
systems and hence is a safe and a reliable grading system safe guarded against partial
success in an examination. In English testing systems such as IELTS and
TOEFL, a threshold of 6.0 in IELTS or 550 in TOEFL in percentage terms, for instance,
may be classified as success whereas to pass a MarTEL test all criteria for a grade
of Pass must be satisfied. It is not longer acceptable to answer say 60% of the
questions correctly and expect a pass as for a Pass grade in a MarTEL test all criteria
set for this grade must be achieved.
In all cases, as well as a grade of Pass, Merit and Distinction, a percentage mark
will also be allocated and Maritime Institutions and Companies can decide which
percentage mark to set as their threshold.
More details are available in the "test taker information leaflet".
Test format
MarTEL offers the tests at three different phases. There is one test in Phase 1
for those wishing to enter formal Maritime education at tertiary level; two tests
in Phase 2 (one for Deck Officers and one for Marine Engineering Offices), and two
tests at Phase 3, (one for senior Deck Officer and one for senior Marine Engineers).
However, personnel on the vessel other than the officers or training cadets, and
those working on shore can also take the MarTEL tests to give an indicative measure
of their competence in Maritime English. All test takers have a similarly structured
test with all skills tested in the same format. The skills to be tested are Grammar/SMCP,
Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Each test will take approximately 145
minutes. The diagram below provides details of the testing format.
Figure 1. Structure of Phase 1 Martel Standard.
All other Phases have the same structure, but a different number of parts and questions.
Testing Approach
Vocational and Knowledge
Martel provides a vocational training assessment format that focuses on improved
communication skills in a maritime based environment. Martel provides not only a
vocational based approach to learning, essential for your company, but a knowledge
testing format for those who want to train in an English-speaking environment
.
Three Different Phases/Stages of Maritime English Language Proficiency
The standards include three assessment phases ranging from elementary to upper intermediate/advanced
in Phase 1, English test at given skill levels for Desk and Marine Engineering Officers
of Watch in Phase 2 and English tests, again at given skill levels, for senior Deck
and senior Marine Engineering Officers in Phase 3.
Reliable and Secure Test
The MarTEL grading system has three levels: Pass, Merit and Distinction, as well
as a marking system based on a percentage. To achieve each grade a set of assessment/grading
criteria have to be fully met. Each Phase test is based on the BTEC/Edexcel system
and leads to an Edexcel qualification which has worldwide recognition. The phases
have been also included in the IMO programmes/model courses as well as existing
Edexcel/BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nautical Science/Navigation Engineering
and HND in Marine Engineering; both HNDs have been developed in collaboration with
major awarding, accrediting and licensing bodies such as BTEC, IMarEST, MCA and
so forth. At the pilot stage, much emphasis has been placed on the assessment system
to ensure it is reliable, secure, benchmarked and understood worldwide with a consistent
and reliable grading system. The test materials are designed carefully by MarTEL
partners for each phase. Each grade for each phase has a set of assessment and grading
criteria and each phase is designed for a given class and type of seafarer. Each
test clearly demonstrates the comparable level of difficulty and is based on a given
set of language skills deemed necessary for given types and ranks of merchant navy
officer.
The process of training of the trainers/assessors is through a full MarTEL training
and assessment programme to ensure quality and integrity of MarTEL assessment system
is respected and maintained. All assessors are expected to develop a portfolio demonstrating
their knowledge of MarTEL and its assessment system and pass the test intended to
assess/grade themselves with Distinction. A Certificate is issued to successful
assessors. The internal and external verification/examination system will be similar
to the existing system in partner countries and in the UK and Turkey will be based
on the BTEC/Edexcel/NVQ/SVQ system. Presently, the marking of the tests takes place
at two pilot assessment centres, with the primary centre based in the UK and complementary
centre in Turkey. Assessors have to attend at least one training and assessment
event each year. Their performance is regularly monitored and evaluated by a lead
verifier for them to retain their certification.
Our test centre in each country is coordinated by a designated key partner in that
country and testing can be undertaken in independent organisations which meet strict
standards of quality, security and customer service through regular monitoring of
the assessment centre.