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We agree that the Japanese system is far more consistent. I think it's better! But let's not kid ourselves: if the US instituted a CEFR B2 language requirement

by timr 5mo ago

We agree that the Japanese system is far more consistent. I think it's better! But let's not kid ourselves: if the US instituted a CEFR B2 language requirement [1] for anyone on an H1B visa to gain residency, it would be an absolute shitshow. [1] This is the new Japanese language requirement.

saalweachter 5mo ago
For the US to institute a language standard, we'd first have to agree on an official language at the federal level.
- _n_b_ 5mo ago
  There's a (fairly basic but extant) English language requirement for naturalization, so it doesn't seem inconceivable that could be applied to a visa.
  - ghaff 5mo ago
    This has been a political issue in the past--mostly with respect to Spanish--but there's essentially a de facto English requirement for most purposes.
airstrike 5mo ago
No, it would not be a shitshow. That's just your assumption. Do you think I could not pass that test?
- timr 5mo ago
  > Do you think I could not pass that test? Well, I don't know you, but you've missed the point entirely so... It would be a shitshow because of the politics of it. I am certain there would be plenty of people who could pass, and some who can't. Also, it's obviously my assumption.
  - airstrike 5mo ago
    Right, it's obviously your assumption, but you stated the resulting shitshow as an obvious fact—"let's not kid ourselves". I doubt H-1Bs would oppose taking that test. Many already took English proficiency exams by the time they apply for the visa. I assume Americans in general would favor this extra requirement too. And companies, if we decide we care about what they want, really have no reason to oppose the test. There's a large enough number of applicants that they can easily pick from the ones that do speak English fluently. So to conclude it would be a shitshow because of the politics is likely incorrect, certainly defeatist, and gives up on the actual thing we should strive for, which is to make the H-1B visa better.
handle584 5mo ago
Assuming English is the language, CEFR B2 is roughly 75 in TOEFL, such a low standard that community colleges would think twice before admitting such internationals students. In reality H1B tech workers easily blows 100+.

by timr 5mo ago

saalweachter 5mo ago

For the US to institute a language standard, we'd first have to agree on an official language at the federal level.

_n_b_ 5mo ago
There's a (fairly basic but extant) English language requirement for naturalization, so it doesn't seem inconceivable that could be applied to a visa.
- ghaff 5mo ago
  This has been a political issue in the past--mostly with respect to Spanish--but there's essentially a de facto English requirement for most purposes.

airstrike 5mo ago

No, it would not be a shitshow. That's just your assumption. Do you think I could not pass that test?

timr 5mo ago
> Do you think I could not pass that test? Well, I don't know you, but you've missed the point entirely so... It would be a shitshow because of the politics of it. I am certain there would be plenty of people who could pass, and some who can't. Also, it's obviously my assumption.
- airstrike 5mo ago
  Right, it's obviously your assumption, but you stated the resulting shitshow as an obvious fact—"let's not kid ourselves". I doubt H-1Bs would oppose taking that test. Many already took English proficiency exams by the time they apply for the visa. I assume Americans in general would favor this extra requirement too. And companies, if we decide we care about what they want, really have no reason to oppose the test. There's a large enough number of applicants that they can easily pick from the ones that do speak English fluently. So to conclude it would be a shitshow because of the politics is likely incorrect, certainly defeatist, and gives up on the actual thing we should strive for, which is to make the H-1B visa better.

handle584 5mo ago

Assuming English is the language, CEFR B2 is roughly 75 in TOEFL, such a low standard that community colleges would think twice before admitting such internationals students. In reality H1B tech workers easily blows 100+.