Language proficiency on sign up page
This subject has been discussed before (link text). However that thread is so long and contentious that I wanted to start a new one to ask a simpler question, even though I may not be the most appropriate person to do so:
Is there anyway we could add the language level proficiency to the quick initial sign-up page. Of all the information on a profile, this is the most useful in deciding how to respond to a question (more so than birthdate and gender). It is not on the quick sign up, it is quick to input, I don't think it gives away private information, and right now we depend on people to go edit their profile (which, judging by the number of threads asking how to do that, is not a given). The language proficiency is especially helpful when the question is the first they have ever asked- which is usually before they have even decided whether they will go to the trouble of filling out the profile. And, to be honest, the English of many of the first-time posters is so bad that sometimes I am not sure if it is an honest attempt by a non-native English speaker, or just someone who doesn't bother to use their native language properly.
7 Answers
Yes, this has been an ongoing discussion in the forum. It would be great to have a person give us their approximate proficiency in Spanish. What I would really love to know is the native tongue of every member. This is a simple, one word answer that does not even reveal where the person lives.
I have rushed to judgment quite a few times by correcting someone's spelling and grammar, only to find out later that English was their third or fourth language. If we could quickly see whether the member was a fifteen year old from New Jersey with atrocious spelling and grammar skills or someone from another part of the world tackling Spanish and English at the same time (this has happened), we would be able to quickly decide how to answer or direct this person.
I know it sounds dangerous, but maybe a trustworthy senior member of the forum could give people definite labels based on their contributions?
I'm nominating you for this Lazarus. Hopefully, you will be well paid for the job. You will probably be receiving nasty messages from unhappy members which will most likely look something like this:
i aint no inglish beginer! pleez also tell me how many weeks it's gonna take 4 me to lern spansh.
I agree. Without knowing a person's language skills and what language they're trying to learn it is sometimes very easy to misinterpret the question, or give an answer that they can't understand.
I agree too. Even when a person claims to be a native, you can't fully trust everything he/she writes, often because of the spelling, sometimes even because of the grammar. I know it sounds dangerous, but maybe a trustworthy senior member of the forum could give people definite labels based on their contributions?
I know a few people in this forum I can trust in English (eg. KevinB), so I take their contributions very seriously, but I am a bit reluctant to fully trust other people's words in certain topics. I bet others have similar concerns.
Okay, this seems to be a popular idea, but wasn't picked up by any administrators- can anyone tell me who I send the idea to in order to get it seriously considered.
I totally agree. Definitely one's native language should be a requirement. I would direct your concern to Heidita.
Regarding level of proficiency in a second (third, fourth) language: that's more subjective. Sometimes people are overly generous regarding their proficiency; sometimes they are too self critical.
My last attempt in February this year:
Hi chris, here I go again, I have asked several times: Is there no way to implement the native language as a mandatory answer when signing up?
I find it helpful to see if a member is female or male, but more essential to see if they are natives of English or Spanish. So unless you can add the question to the sign up form, may be you could change the "gender" question to it?
the question comes up like every week or so.
Thread closed, this does not depend on me or any other administrator.
Is there anyway we could add the language level proficiency to the quick initial sign-up page
Stadt, you would be amazed at how often I have tried to get this implemented.
Okay, this seems to be a popular idea, but wasn't picked up by any administrators- can anyone tell me who I send the idea to in order to get it seriously considered.
Of course it is a popular idea, I said this the very first day this new site was opened, or even before it was actually opened to the public.
This thread was opened in March 2009, this was said by gekko in June 2010:
This "problem" has been discussed several times. The idea is that everyone should fill out the information in their profile Unfortunately, it apprears that the language field cannot be made mandatory on this site, so a lot of people leave it blank. :-( - Gekkosan Jun 3, 2010
And of course your link.
Why people think I have not already tried my best to get this implemented is simply above me.
