Users may reach out to CS to inquire about their profile being English verified. We can inform them that they can be English verified if they take an English verification test as well as being rated by the first 3 distinct clients when contracts are ended.
Freelancers can get English verified on Upwork in two ways: 1) taking a test (including IELTS - English Proficiency Exam, Cambridge, and Duolingo - instructions below), 2) getting rated by 3 clients (when ending their contracts). Note: We take only the first 3 distinct clients feedback for the evaluation.
The question to clients looks like the screeshot below:
When freelancers come to support to ask about how they can get "English Verified," we can give them instructions on how to do this via Duolingo. We can also encourage new freelancers to take the certification to boost their profile, and increase their chances of landing jobs.
Notes:
- After taking the test, they will be able to add their level to the profile based on the score. Basic will show no matter what score is received. If they scored 5 or higher, the level will be Conversational. For Fluent, a score of 8 or higher is required. A score of 10 is needed for Native.
- The verification submitted certifications overwrite the verification given by clients' feedback.
Sample response:
Thanks for contacting Upwork Support. I understand you are looking to get information about being "English Verified," on your profile.
You can do that by taking the new English Certification Test, by Duolingo. You will be taking the test on Duolingo, but can post the results on Upwork! Here are instructions to take the test:
1) Go to http://testcenter.duolingo.com.
2) Take the English certification test. It'll take 20 minutes, and will incur a cost of $49. You'll need a valid photo ID and a webcam. It's available in Android, iOS and Chrome desktop.
3) After taking the test, you can add it to your profile by clicking Share Certificate > Upwork.
Once done, you'll see the "Duolingo certification" on your profile and your English language proficiency will be marked "verified."
Hope this helps, and please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
Note: We show the English language verification checkmark only for non-native freelancers
Some native English speakers might also ask why they would need to take the test, if they are native English speakers. We can send them this response: (please adapt as appropriate)
"It may seem strange for a native English speaker to take the test. Some clients want to hire native speakers, and the test can't verify native fluency - those clients will always hire native speakers. That said, the test is available for native speakers to use if they would like to. We're working on ways to improve our English verification and verify native fluency as well."
Response provided by Duolingo:
We have two types of tests (see image below), the Certificate (which validates the ID of the test taker and issues a certificate to share) and a Quick Test (which is an estimate of the proficiency level, with no ID validation, and can only be shared on FB and LI). In this specific case the freelancer took the Quick Test and he should've taken the Certificate to be able to share it on Upwork.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
- Cambridge English: Business Vantage or Higher
- Cambridge English: First (FCE)
“Fluent” for any users who score 6.5 or above
“Conversational” for any users who score greater than or equal to 4 and less than 6.5
“None” for any users who score less than 4