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Ask YC: What about people who don't know English good enough?

7 points by ochekurishvili ↗ HN
I do understand that English is mandatory for communications in startups, but what about founders who come from overseas and are a bit weak in English?

Should founder(s) know verbal and/or written English on an A level?

Just curious on YC's position...

11 comments

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auganov
Not sure what you mean by A level. Of course you don't need to sound native. But if you cannot communicate you just cannot communicate. I guess it's pretty obvious. Nobody is going to test your English, but if you will make a bad impression and somebody will be worried that it will be an obstacle, then, well they have every reason to act on that worry.

Just do your thing and don't care about making an error here or there. If you know it's a real issue then go fix it, you will have to anyways.

tobylane
A-level is the first significant level of optional education in Britain and anywhere copying it (such as India and Singapore, though some commonwealth countries call it other things, or have different systems)
chalst
A level is the most advanced school-level qualification awarded in Britain and by some British examiners to overseas students.

Typically, a student studies towards three A-level subjects for two years as ages 17 & 18; not so long ago AS levels were introduced which count as approximately half an A level, allowing more subjects to be taken in less depth.

British school leavers with thee As at A level are highly accomplished among the world's school leavers, but an A at English A level is not really close to native-like English.

ochekurishvili
I don't man any kind of certification or tests... I just meant knowing English fluently.
mikemaccana
Off topic, but you mean 'people who don't know English well enough'. Good luck in your endeavors.
Brewer
You beat me to it. I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to correct the English of someone who is talking about good English.
ochekurishvili
Why so offensively? :) English isn't my native...
mikemaccana
What specifically was offensive? Is there a way someone could have been more polite?
chalst
I should think it is good if you have someone who can deal with people like VCs in native-like English. I should think it is a serious disadvantage if you have nobody in your core team (i.e., someone who can act as the face of your company) who speaks better than globalese.
imjonathanlee
I don't think their English would need to be on an A level, but at least enough to communicate their idea across to the panel. It really depends on how much of an issue it is- if they can't even begin to communicate without stuttering, then I don't think it'll work out very well.