The Internet Revolution changed a lot of areas of our everyday life. Its influence is huge, especially in education. The Internet made possible for us to study without going to a conventional classroom. That’s what eLearning is – learning, using electronic means to access an educational degree, program or course, while sitting comfortably on your couch.
Distance education, or eLearning courses.
Became a global phenomenon over the past two decades and expectations are by 2025 the eLearning market would reach around $325 billion!
It’s proven that online learning is most effective when delivered to the end-user in his or her native language. Translating content from the source language into the desired one is only the first step in delivering successful e-learning materials. If your eLearning program is designed to be used by learners from different countries, it is essential not only to translate your lessons, but to localize them too. That’s why the rise of online learning has led to a boom in eLearning localization!
The internet has opened up a whole world of possibilities where business is concerned, and eLearning is one of the most successful ones.
The benefits from eLearning localization for the business is very obvious – workers taking advantage of eLearning increase their productivity with over 50%. Also, the cost for businesses decreases between 50% and 70% when utilizing eLearning, compared to the standard training of employees. Apart of numbers, employees are beginning to take a far more active role by enabling worldwide self-directed learning.
How to make the eLearning localization a smoother process? Here are some points you should be aware of before you start:
1. Consider localization through every step of creating the text and the design;
2. Provide the localization service with all of the source materials. This will not only help cut time, but will also give you clarity about the price and the delivery schedule.
3. Try to keep your content culturally neutral by avoiding acronyms, expressions, colors, pictures, etc. that will be difficult to localize;
4. Make sure you develop fully your course, test it and localize it only after it has been finally approved. Thus, you’ll save a lot of time and difficulties.
5. Keep in mind design is as important as language!
6. Get to know your target audience!
7. Choose the right partner for your eLearning localization!