Why ELA Skills Matter at Sea and on Land

Lessons Aboard the Carnival Paradise

Currently, I’m enjoying a Caribbean Cruise with other leaders in the tutoring industry. As I’m always thinking about English language arts and how reading, writing, speaking, and listening impact us every day, I began to see this concept in action aboard our lovely cruise ship—the Carnival Paradise. 

I was fortunate to find crew members who were willing to explain how English language arts skills are critical in their various roles. 

As you read, try listing some ways your child might use reading, writing, speaking, or listening in their dream career—then compare your list with the real-world examples below!

For example...

😎 an engineer might need to communicate their ideas in writing to partners in a company in order to convince the company to hire them. 

😎 the artist might need to design marketing materials that effectively promote the sale of their artwork. 

😎 a physician’s assistant will likely need to read complex material in order to stay abreast of current medical research. 

From technical roles to creative fields, ELA skills open doors across a wide range of professions. 

Let’s take a closer look at how English language arts is crucial in one such career on the high seas.

Precision in Detail: The Housekeeping Manager’s Role

In the busy, multilingual environment aboard the Carnival Paradise, the housekeeping team ensures that every cabin is spotless, safe, and welcoming.

For Biljana, the Housekeeping Manager for the entire ship, her role requires not only attention to detail but also strong English Language Arts (ELA) skills—skills she had to work hard to develop after starting her career on the Carnival Paradise. Hailing from Montenegro, Biljana realized English would be crucial as she achieved her goals in her chosen career. 

As Biljana explained, English is the primary language for all crew communication aboard the Carnival Paradise, making it essential for everything from safety protocols to day-to-day interactions. 

English fluency wasn’t just a job requirement: it was the key that enabled Biljana to move from a floor manager position to head of housekeeping. Biljana shared how mastering English helped her build rapport with her team, understand complex guidelines, and communicate effectively with both her team and other departments.

Working with a diverse team, many of whom also speak English as a second language, Biljana often writes shift notes, reports, and training materials with clarity and simplicity in mind. She explained that her team relies on her written instructions to avoid misunderstandings and to keep operations running smoothly. Misinterpretation of even a small detail could disrupt schedules or lead to service issues; hence, being precise and clear is crucial.

By ensuring her team understands each instruction clearly, Biljana helps maintain both the housekeeping department’s efficiency and the high standards of guest satisfaction on board.

The Practical Power of ELA in a Global Workforce

Biljana’s journey illustrates how mastering English not only helped her advance within the cruise industry but also empowered her to lead an international team with confidence. Her lived experience illustrates a powerful example of how ELA skills—especially reading, writing, and effective communication—are more than academic; they’re practical, real-world skills that create opportunities and build connections across cultures.

Her experience shows that by mastering ELA skills, students can be prepared to succeed in roles they might never have imagined, whether on land or at sea.

Biljana’s experience is a reminder that language arts skills don’t simply build academic success. These skills serve as powerful tools that can help students reach their personal and professional goals, in whatever path they choose.