Congrats OP.
Looking at patrol, it is clearly that spamming endemic has still been there, but at least it has been reduced at somewhat extents.
In addition, Spambies (most of them) got stucked at their deserved lower-ranks.
Certainly. However, I hear some of them went as far as buying "quality post" in order to get merits, and after that they'll resort back to spamming. It's impossible to stop, but in the long run I believe quality posters will definitely get what they deserve and cheaters won't be able to reach that point (unless they buy an account).
I don't think this is a nice way to encourage another user to improve on his/her command of English. The forum should be more friendly and users should also consider the feelings of others
Or you should have a thick skin. Don't take everything too personally, use it to improve yourself (either criticism or anything else). If you can't do that, just put someone on ignore.