Training Content Localization: A Huge Transformation Of The eLearning Industry
If you are planning to design an eLearning program which caters to the needs of your multilingual audiences, then localization is an optimum choice. It is significant to adapt your training courses, making them culturally suitable for the target learners. Whether text, audios, or PowerPoint presentations, a team of adept professionals work in collaboration to improve the efficiency of the entire training program.
Modern learners choose training programs which can be accessed at their own pace. If these are not planned and well-organized, then localization of courses can be a waste of time and resources. The use of personalized mobile devices is getting attention for professional training and work-based education.
In today’s digital era, learning via mobile devices including smartphones and tablets have gained considerable interest. Like every technological innovation, localization of content on mobile devices has the potential to retain employees, boost their skills, and improve learning experiences.
It is crucial, here, to analyze the significance of localization as per employees’ learning preferences. Different learners have diversified needs, but there has to be a common learning objective which should be identified.
Essential Tips For Efficient Training Content Localization
- Content localization should be short and crisp as per the customized needs of learners. Also, nuggets of information are easy to access on mobile devices at the point of need.
- Incorporation of audios synched with the text and graphics is also an optimum choice.
- Organizations with continual needs to localize eLearning prefer outsourcing the process of content development and localization.
- Mostly, eLearning elements such as ‘next’ and ‘previous’ are repeated on each page. These elements are clubbed together in a repository so that they can be localized at once, without wasting much time.
What Needs To Be Localized?
Technology mitigates the risks associated with the translation of content into multiple languages, making it a feasible option for companies looking to localize their courses. Different components that need to be localized include graphics, assessments, narration, mouse cursor movement, and voice-overs. Let us discuss them in detail:
1. Graphics
The embedded text with images also needs to be localized in a preferred language. Localization helps to convert source language into the target language, followed by formatting it correctly.
2. Quizzes/Assessments
Localization of quizzes and assessments is mainly included in the core content, with an exception of buttons which act as prompts for a user action. Questions appear in formats such as fill in the blanks, matching items, true/false, multiple choice, and more.
3. Narrative Translation
A training course will incorporate on-screen text which needs to be localized and formatted. For instance, text translated into French, German, or any other language needs to be restructured so that it appears like an original text. When including narrations, the timing should adjust with textual appearances. It is important that text matches narration of the multilingual courses more effectively.
4. Mouse Cursor Movement
The Instructional Design of online learning programs embeds cursor movements pointing to new tasks and actions taken. These cursor movements should be reflected in the localized learning program.
Conclusion
Delivering corporate training via eLearning platforms is an eminent approach followed by organizations. Companies spend huge amounts on Learning and Development programs to educate their workforce about their products and services. eLearning courses designed in a single language cannot be interactive and may exclude the majority of learners. Content localization is a technique used to avail computer-based learning curricula in multiple languages. In addition, employee retention and workplace efficiency also enhance as organizational personnel access courses in a language they know and understand better.
With eLearning content translation, global organizations reach out to their employees without affecting their budgets. Instead of developing courses for different people and in different languages, content localization is a better option as it saves time and budget. Also, reliability is affirmed as the same content can be repurposed in different languages and across different platforms (desktops, laptops, and smartphones) for diversified audiences.
Suggested further reading: Localizing eLearning Programs for an International Audience