Empowering lecturers’ professionalism in improving the English language skills of maritime institute cadets: A socio-linguistic perspective

In the realm of maritime education, proficiency in English language skills holds paramount importance, especially for cadets undergoing training at maritime academies. In the globalized world, English proficiency is a basic need and plays a pivotal role in effective communication in various professional domains, particularly in the maritime industry where cadets are groomed for future leadership roles. This research investigates the role of English lecturers in enhancing the English language competencies of cadets at Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran Jakarta (STIP) from a socio-linguistic perspective. The effectiveness of English language instruction relies heavily on the professionalism, learning innovations, and pedagogical strategies employed by English lecturers. The study employs a qualitative approach, exploring classroom management systems, behavior, and environment to observe the efforts of English lecturers to cultivate effective communication skills among STIP cadets. It aims to identify the role of English lecturers' professionalism in improving cadets' English skills by examining aspects such as pedagogical considerations, teacher personality elements, social factors, and teacher careers. It is hoped that this study will provide insights into the professional development needs of English lecturers at STIP, offering recommendations for curriculum design, instructional methods, and teacher training programs tailored to the specific linguistic and cultural context of maritime education in Indonesia.