Hello, my italkimates!<o:p></o:p>
I was just looking through some fresh stuff in the notebook and I’ve come across loads of so called “introduction entries”. You know some of them are kind of rambling and incomplete. I am in no way urging the administration of the site to regulate introduction entries I just want to help people network more smoothly and find their “perfect” partners faster. Thus I expect this debate to be a collective effort to create a plan of effective self-presentation for those who is looking for language partners and wishes to enrich their network. <o:p></o:p>
Below I
suggest my list of items that, in my opinion, is the best recipe for a
successful self-presentation.
I am also urging you to make up your list
or give some feedback on mine.
1. Background (origin, education, occupation)<o:p></o:p>
2. Hobbies and interests<o:p></o:p>
3. What languages are you leaning and why?<o:p></o:p>
4. Priories in languages (if you study a few languages) and priorities in language skills (e.g. speaking / listening, etc.)<o:p></o:p>
5. Availability (software; days&hours )<o:p></o:p>
6. Exchange preferences (e.g. texting / live video calls, etc.)
Thank you in advance for your time and effort. <o:p></o:p>
I agree with Michael. While all of your points may be valid, a text including all of them will be much longer than most people are willing to read.
Topics such as background and hobbies are ideal for a first conversation so I wouldn't mention that in an introductory post/profile. Instead I would priorize other information such as what you call availability and preferences.
On the other hand, information such as language exchange experience isn't relevant to me.
Finally, what languages someone is learning and their language level should be obvious from someone's italki profile. You can already see that just from hovering over a person's name, so I don't think it's necessary to mention it.
Whether a partner is really ideal for you often won't become apparent
until you've spoken to them at least once, sometimes it takes a couple
of sessions to see if you click. And you might stick with a partner who doesn't share your interests but has other qualities that keep you in touch with that person.
What I think may really disappoint you but I think at least our introduction should not be that much organised or formal the way you mentioned in points(except the interview scenario). But yes, as Michael, said, if you are talking about an introduction in the resume, then It's all right otherwise in this language platform, it's all right if you introduce yourself mentioning your name, place and native and target language. I personally can't go on long introducing myself like you've mentioned in points:)
By the way, it may help other especially when making their resume. Thank for sharing.
Your introduction is like an advertisement. It should get people interested. If people read your introduction and conclude you are boring, they probably won't want to exchange with you at all. Well, not if English is not your native language in any case. If some information is missing, they can ask later, although I agree that questioning someone about these things is boring. But, I also don't really need to know all those technicalities about a person to talk to them.
I did understand you. I just don't think anyone reads those notebook entries after they are more than a few days old. You for example have 56 entries (curiously, most of them seem to be written in your native language). I don't assume someone is going to scroll down and look for the introductory one to find your availability and exchange preferences. But, if people do read them, so much the better.
