The Effect of English Language Proficiency on Port Documentation Completion Among Maritime Cadets During Internships

Abstract

This study examines the effect of English language proficiency on port documentation completion among cadets undertaking internships in shipping and maritime-related companies. The study responds to a limited body of empirical research connecting Maritime English competence with a concrete administrative task performed during internship. A quantitative explanatory design was employed. Instrument testing involved 30 respondents, while the main analysis used 45 cadets. The questionnaire consisted of eight items for English language proficiency and six items for port documentation completion. Both instruments demonstrated high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.939 and 0.947, respectively. Simple linear regression produced R = 0.836, R² = 0.699, adjusted R² = 0.692, F(1,43) = 100.076, p < .001, and t = 10.004, p < .001. The regression coefficient was positive (B = 0.725). The findings indicate that English language proficiency is a significant and substantial predictor of cadets’ port documentation completion in the internship context.