JO TANKERS INITIATES ENGLISH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS
Captain Alinea of Jo Tankers Incorporated began his maritime career earlier than most. At a young age, he graduated with distinction from his BS Marine Engineering course. He became a captain and finally became the second youngest captain in the Philippines with his then company. He has been with Jo Tankers for years. He would have also been one of the youngest retirees. If his plans fall through, he would bow out of active work. However, because of the great lack of qualified maritime officers the country is experiencing now, he has been asked to return as captain.
He says he is equal to the task, of course, but he can’t help wondering at the current lack of aspirants for officer positions. He remembers a time when these opportunities for career growth were the motivations of seamen for performing their duties.
One solution he sees is giving our seamen more confidence to eye promotions as maritime officers. In fact, there are now proposals to require junior officers to undergo trainings courses for higher administrative work later in their careers. In support of these initiatives Captain Alinea collaborated with Advanced Speech and Academic Professionals or ASAP. He and his administrative officers were the first to undergo classes for various areas of English communication. The first was Intensive English Grammar, a 20-hour class they took from January to February of this year. It reviews the basic principles of grammar and their common misuse due to factors like media and reluctance to conform to conventions. Jo Tankers is a multinational company and Captain Alinea believes that updating one’s services and performance according to global developments is critical to company survival. He and his staff are now halfway through their second class, Conversational English. He leads his staff in displaying open-mindedness to comments about writing and speaking skills. He believes that life is a learning experience that has no graduation.
Capt. Alinea showed concern for the few Filipino seafarers willing to take administrative positions, only because such promotions entailed heavier demands in English communication with foreign clients. He encourages other Filipino seamen to face the challenge of the global maritime community and earn more recognition for our country. He is now considering English enhancement classes for the junior officers and cadets of Jo Tankers.
“Skill in the art of communication is crucial to a leader's success. He can accomplish nothing unless he can communicate effectively.”
- Norman Allen
ACB / ASAP Inc. / www.advancedspeech.net
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