Last updated on December 20th, 2023 at 01:33 pm

eLearning in a Remote World

Different languages have different grammar and spacing rules and or may be read right to left. Changing the layout, format, and spacing of your user interface is an important part of the localization process.

The last year has proven you can do nearly everything online, from shopping and working to training and learning.  We’re embracing a globalized and often remote world, where geographic location is no barrier to the resources a person has access to, as long as they have access to the internet. This has given rise to a massive increase in demand for eLearning programs.

From school lessons and college programs to employee orientation and certifications, eLearning programs open a world of possibilities for students and employees. But creating an eLearning program that’s available only in English leaves a large percentage of the world’s population without access, so creating multilingual content is necessary for success. Translating eLearning content is a fast and efficient way to expand the reach to a global audience.

Localizing eLearning Translations

In order to truly have a global reach with your eLearning content, both translation and localization are necessary to reach audiences across language barriers. eLearning localization is the process of adapting online educational or training content to a specific locale, market, or target audience. The goal of localizing eLearning content is to design the look, feel, and interaction of content for a specific audience.

English is the main language found on the internet, but it’s not the primary language of 71% of internet users. eLearning closes this gap by providing valuable training content in the native language of the users. eLearning translations cover several translation services that is why it is important that they are handled by a professional translation company.

Different File Types:

• Training Modules
  • Translation of guides and supporting material
  • Translation of webpages
  • Translation of quizzes and evaluations
• Video translation
  • Audio scripts: subtitles and voice
• PowerPoint and multimedia presentations
• Content in XML files
• eLearning software projects (Articulate Storyline, Captivate and others)

Different Content Type:

• Classroom – instructional content
• New employee orientation and training
• Assessment programs
• Training modules and certification
• App-based learning

Translation and Localization Goes Hand in Hand

If translating only changes the words of your content, without accounting for changes in vocabulary usage, spelling, meaning, and cultural context that is covered by localization, something that is acceptable or humorous in one country may be extremely offensive in another country. eLearning localization shows a focus on and respect for cultural diversity, which is a must for any business in a globalized world.

Localization is important for eLearning to ensure your message is delivered properly and facilitates the learning process for knowledge to be easily absorbed and retained and to resonate with your audience in the intended market. 

What needs to be changed when you localize your eLearning translations?

• Real life examples for each cultural group
  • Localization ensures that any real-life scenarios in the content are applicable to the learner, and not indicative of life in another country or hemisphere. The way an employee would greet a customer in Spain is different than the way they would greet an employee in China.
• Idioms & colloquialisms
  • Idioms and colloquial sayings are culturally specific, so localization ensures you’re using sayings that make sense to the learner in their language.
  •  Use of formal or informal approach within the content.
• Images & visuals
  • An image that drives home a point in one country may be confusing or disconnecting in another one. Similarly, colors change meaning across cultures. Ensuring that your brand presentation is still conveying the message you want it to over cultural lines is a part of localization.
• Standard Measurements
  • Currency, date, time, and other numbers need to be localized for each demographic. You would not want an example of degrees in Fahrenheit in countries that use Celsius.  

Remote eLearning Applications

eLearning is remote learning using electronic technology that is cost-effective and can be self-paced.

For students and employees across the globe, JR Language delivers a well-translated and localized learning experience. Whether the content is for an academic institution, training facility, corporation, or eLearning services provider, our translation agency has extensive experience translating eLearning content into multiple languages. 

eLearning for Businesses

Translated eLearning content takes a training course or presentation from one office location and makes it available to employees across the world. eLearning content is already an efficient way for businesses to train and share information with international employees. Translation of training courses, presentations, and product education allows a business to gain a greater benefit on the initial content investment.  An example is the translation of training for software modules.

eLearning for Human Resources

In a global company, Human Resources must communicate with people of varying languages and nationalities. To create an efficient flow of work, standard processes can be automated through eLearning content, such as new employee orientations, product or company information, training, assessments, and certification programs.

Translation of documents and eLearning content gives employees across the globe the ability to receive the same information translated to their language of choice. This allows HR to ensure policy understanding and compliance are consistent across the board. Additionally, HR often deals with sensitive personal or legal information. Using a translation company for legal translation services and localization ensures that there are no errors in such important documents.

An example is the Spanish translation of sexual harassment training to facilitate comprehension for employees who speak Spanish as their native language.

eLearning for Schools & Higher Education

What if an academic institution could double or triple its student size without placing an additional burden on teachers and administration? That’s the benefit of localizing your eLearning content. Creating and translating eLearning content is available to schools for a fraction of the cost of hosting students on campus. The content is able to be accessed by the students at their own learning pace, while their progress is completely trackable. Teachers can save time and energy by planning and recording one lesson that’s then translated into the best language for each of their students. Students never lose access to the program, and teachers are able to better manage their workload.

Example a Korean translation of a leadership class.

Multilingual eLearning content

Our eLearning content translation services include:

• Presentations
• Individual slides
• Image and screenshots
• Videos and captions
• Multi-lingual voiceovers
• Quizzes, tests, and other educational supporting material for elementary, middle, and high school as well as colleges, universities, and advanced degree programs
• User interfaces
• Exports of learning management systems
  • Articulate, Captivate, Camtasia
• File Types
  • XML, HTML5, InDesign, PowerPoint, the Adobe Suit, the Microsoft Suite

When you work with JR Language, your eLearning content is localized by an expert in the field and language you need. Industry knowledge and cultural context are the differentiators for successful eLearning translation services.

Attention to Detail

Our team of experts in eLearning translations goes beyond language translation services to consider all format types, files, and educational elements used in other countries so the proper translation can be done for each location.

Our methodical process ensures quality translation services that resonate with your audience while ensuring the accuracy and messaging of the original piece.

Interacting with the world has never been easier. Language barriers can be overcome with a simple call to JR Language to talk about what you need to communicate with your intended audience, whether it’s business, education, entertainment, or any platform where English just won’t do and may hinder progress. Give us a call today!