Why Translate Training for Your Employees

Today, many companies’ workforces span across countries, cultures, and time zones. According to one study, nearly 60% of remote workers report that they work on globally distributed teams.

It’s now more important than ever to ensure that all learners, regardless of the language they speak, have an effective and engaging experience, which is why organizations are increasingly turning to translated learning to educate their workforce. Offering courses in learners’ native language can help boost knowledge retention, leading to better learning experiences and training outcomes.

But language isn’t the only aspect of e-learning that can differ for learners in different locations and cultures. For a more holistic approach to educating a global workforce than translation, more and more workplaces are turning to localization, which factors in other variables like relevant images, examples, and tone.

Interested in offering translated training for your workplace? In this post, we’ll explain how localization allows you to go beyond translation, breaking down language barriers and improving comprehension, engagement, and overall business performance.

Key benefits of translating training

Often, language is treated as a secondary concern when designing training courses, with the major focus on skill development and content delivery. However, language is a critical factor in effective learning. Variations in language can lead to inconsistent learning outcomes where some employees may grasp the material easily, while others struggle.

Boosts knowledge retention 

When training materials are translated into a learner’s preferred language, comprehension improves dramatically. Studies show that people absorb and retain information more effectively when the content is presented in their native language, as they can focus on the subject matter without the added cognitive load of translating or interpreting unfamiliar terms. Because of this, translated content can improve comprehension, increase engagement, and boost knowledge retention. 

Ensures compliance with local regulations

Customizing training materials to fit local languages and cultures ensures that the content complies with unique legal and regulatory requirements of each region. By tailoring training to reflect local laws, businesses can minimize the risk of compliance violations and ensure that employees are well-informed about region-specific rules and practices. This approach helps organizations stay up to date with varying requirements, improving regulation adherence and overall operational efficiency.

Localization vs. translation: What’s the difference? 

While translation involves converting text from one language to another, localized training goes beyond that. It takes into account cultural nuances and local contexts, ensuring that the content resonates with learners on a deeper level. What works in one country may not make sense or be relevant in another. 

Here are a few examples of how localization can play a crucial role in creating a relevant and seamless experience across different regions. 

Cultural references 

Online courses developed for an American audience might include pop culture references that resonate with U.S. learners. However, when localizing the same course for a Japanese audience, those Western references would likely be removed or replaced with culturally relevant examples.

Content and imagery

A global training company offering distance learning courses on business communication might include examples from Western corporate environments and may include case studies from companies like Google or Apple. However, when localizing the course for an audience in India, the platform may replace these references with examples from local companies and adjust the course content to reflect regional business practices and communication styles.

Tone and formality

Ensuring the right tone in an e-learning course is essential, as it helps create a learning environment that aligns with cultural expectations. Some cultures may expect a formal tone, while in others, a casual, approachable tone is sufficient.

By adapting training materials to the local culture, businesses can make sure their training is not only technically accurate, but also engaging and applicable to a diverse range of learners.

The localization advantage

When creating content for a global audience, it’s important to consider localization, not just translation. While the translation process ensures that the words are understood, the localization process is more holistic, adapting not just the target language but also the content to resonate with the audience’s cultural, social, and regional preferences.

Simply translating text may not provide enough context, which could make the content feel foreign or irrelevant. This deeper level of adaptation in training and education can lead to better engagement, retention, and ultimately, enhanced communication across diverse markets.

Unlock global success through effective localization 

Localized training is a powerful tool for improving the effectiveness and impact of learning experiences in diverse, multilingual environments. By adapting training materials to meet learners where they are, regardless of language or location, businesses can bridge language barriers, improve understanding, and increase engagement across their global workforce. 

Whether you’re training employees across multiple regions or offering educational programs in multiple languages, investing in localized content makes the learning experience more inclusive and effective. 

To learn more about the tools you need to create successful localized training, check out this article: How to Localize E-Learning for a Global Audience.