The Effect of Digital Simulation on Maritime Cadets' English Speaking Skills: A Pre-Experimental Study

Abstract

Effective oral communication is a critical competence in maritime operations, where miscommunication may compromise safety and operational efficiency. As English serves as the lingua franca of international shipping, maritime cadets are required to develop adequate speaking skills to meet professional communication demands. However, Maritime English instruction often provides limited opportunities for authentic and contextualized oral practice. This study investigated the effect of digital simulation-based instruction on maritime cadets' English speaking skills. Employing a pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test design, the study involved 24 maritime cadets at Politeknik Pelayaran Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia. Speaking performance was assessed using a scenario-based test and an analytic rubric measuring five components: fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary use (including Standard Marine Communication Phrases), grammatical accuracy, and comprehension. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired-samples t-test, and effect size calculation. Results revealed a statistically significant improvement in speaking performance following the intervention (t(23) = 9.47, p < .001), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 2.29). These findings indicate that digital simulation-based instruction can effectively enhance speaking skills in Maritime English contexts.