The Role of General English and Maritime English in Raising Cultural Awareness in the Students of Maritime Education and Training Institutions

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to consider interconnection existing between intercultural communication, cultural awareness and the English language teaching, to find solution whether cultural elements should have been introduced in the language teaching with the purpose of increasing the effectiveness of the course. The aim of the paper is also to illustrate the importance of the English language for acquisition of cultural awareness on the level necessary for modern seafarers who often have to work in multinational crews. Since knowledge of common language is a core component in bringing people of different cultures together, establishing common friendly environment and common interests, role of General English and Maritime English is quite significant in teaching cultural specifics to people of different nationalities with various cultural background. Thus, the overall aim of the article is to bring facts to prove that integration of culture, increasing cultural awareness with purpose of facilitation of intercultural communication would contribute to communication between seafarers in multinational crews in modern maritime industry. The other issue raised in the paper is to find out whether culture should be taught as a separate subject or it can be integrated in Maritime English course or other humanities courses.