How Would You Handle This Review?

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I'm taking a look at a Udemy course for someone.

The content and layout seems okay so far.

However, what struck me on the first slide is the typical Indian type accent and English. I don't mean that in a bigoted or racist way at all but most people know what I'm talking about.

For example, he'll say something like "Amazon has a million of customers."

I can understand his meaning okay and it helps that the slides are basically word for word what he's saying (including the grammatical errors) but still not sure whether to give it a "passing grade" or not.

How would you handle this?

Mark
  • Profile picture of the author butters
    If it's crap, say its crap, if its great, say its great. The point of the review is to put across what you feel is good and bad. 90% of his site may be crap, tell him, it may only be 1% which is bad, tell him/her... That's the point of a review. Brutal honesty!
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      I wouldn't go by the accent, and bad grammer.

      I got some software done, by an Indian company, and eventhough l had to repeat my instructions a few times, they did create a great piece of software, so....

      Benefit of the doubt, but be wary if too many flags come up!

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  • Profile picture of the author SlfMastery
    Did you understand the content? If so, say the content was valuable. That's all that matters, right?
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Mark, were you asked to review the course because you're a typical prospect?

      If not, I'd suggest the acceptability of the language would depend on who the intended students are, and on the nature of the material. If it's a word-heavy course and the accent is going to be a distraction, you should mention it. No need to be critical - perhaps the course creator could hire a native speaker to read out the text.

      On the other hand, if the instructor is already known to his target audience, or has a particular skill or attribute that's relevant to the content of the course, his accent might not be such a hindrance.

      .
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Originally Posted by SlfMastery View Post

      Did you understand the content? If so, say the content was valuable. That's all that matters, right?
      No. If that were the case, we could do away with teachers and just learn from text books. An instructor who can engage his or her students can make all the difference, and can turn an average course into a great one. That's especially so with a "dry" subject.

      .
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    I'm taking a look at a Udemy course for someone.

    The content and layout seems okay so far.

    However, what struck me on the first slide is the typical Indian type accent and English. I don't mean that in a bigoted or racist way at all but most people know what I'm talking about.

    For example, he'll say something like "Amazon has a million of customers."

    I can understand his meaning okay and it helps that the slides are basically word for word what he's saying (including the grammatical errors) but still not sure whether to give it a "passing grade" or not.

    How would you handle this?

    Mark
    OH, I could speak at LENGTH about this. A FAIR review should INCLUDE mention of moderate to heavy accents, bad grammar, and unusual use of words, or unusual qualities that may distort words, unusual cadence which may affect understanding, etc....

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    If it would help his marketing of his course, I'd for sure bring it up and suggest
    that he budget for a native tongue translation for his major markets.

    When in Rome...
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    try this

    works for me

    जीवन एक चरवाहे फिल्म है
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    It's a review. It's purpose is to give your impression so the party reviewed can get a realistic view of what people think of the service/product. That way they know what to improve on. If they don't get honest reviews, how will they know what to fix? Why bother with a review in that case? If they want someone singing praises with due subjectivity - they can probably get that from their Moms.
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  • Profile picture of the author NestZone
    It depends on what the review is all about.
    Are you reviewing as a BUYER or to help IMPROVE on the product.

    If you are reviewing as someone who has used the product and is good, say-it-out. IT IS GOOD. and why you say so.
    If it is to improve on it, you can take up the time to point every fault which you believe, if changes are made to it will produce a great product.
    Not telling the truth won't improve his skill or the product.
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  • Profile picture of the author costmarket
    Udemy has its own accent.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      This may sound like a stupid question -

      Does the author's name give away his nationality??? Is there an "about" page that lists location, etc?

      If I buy a product by someone and the product owner's name is clearly of Indian or other nationality...I'm not surprised if the English is a bit stilted. In fact, I'm pleasantly surprised when often the English is perfect. This happens when the person is fluent in English or is of Indian or other descent and lives in Nebraska.

      However, if I buy a product from "Bill Jennings" or the author bio says he lives in "Montana" - and the English is...."what I can say about this advices"....I feel duped.

      It's the whole package that sets up expectations. It's NOT meeting "expectations" that leads to buyer dissatisfaction.
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      • Profile picture of the author misty2000
        I've had the problem myself when doing a review for someone giving a presentation through videos. If the heavy accent has made it difficult for me to understand the message completely, and bearing in mind that a review should be completely honest, I recommend that the presentation should either be made through an English speaker or through pdf.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    I appreciate the input. You all have given me a lot to think about.

    I always am honest when I do reviews. When I agree to do a review I always tell people upfront that I won't give praise if it doesn't deserve it and if they can live with that condition, I'm willing to do it.

    I would be considered part of the target market.

    The name is not Indian sounding but it could be foreign but not necessarily.

    I've never run across this language/grammar thing though. I've tried to remember what Dr. Mani sounds like. Most of the oldtimers I know look up to him/respect him, or at least can accept him. If his grammar or tone was bad would I give him a bad review?

    I just about always have input for the author that I don't put in the review - things that can be improved or that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I am going to make a final decision on how to handle this as soon as I finish listening.

    Thanks again.
    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    If I remember correctly, Dr. Mani does have an accent, but his written and spoken English grammar
    is excellent.

    At my hotel, I have visitors from all over the world and enjoy accents, even if it takes a little work to understand. But, it's a social context.

    In an educational course, I would not want to work hard to understand the grammar. I recently tried to
    read some foreign websites via Google translate, and it was horrible. Women were referred to as he and I could not make any sense of some sentences.

    So, if the grammar did get in the way, I would say something like, "Overall, it was a very well organized and informative course, but American English is my first language and I did struggle
    with the grammar".
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