E-learning Localization: Key to Making Education Truly Global

Content localization involves everything from asset preparation to post-deployment surveillance. It requires attention to minor details such as conversion of date and time format, currencies, and units for each locality. For example, while adapting an American Math textbook for an Indian audience, it may involve converting dollars to Indian rupees and changing the date format from MM-DD-YYYY to DD-MM-YYYY.

Benefits of Localization in eLearning content

Learning the psyche of the audience and connecting with them is beneficial for an effective localization strategy. Many language learning applications, such as Duolingo, localize their app features, and not just the language content, for each audience. Duolingo has been successfully localizing their content to create a personalized learning experience. Whether it be Spanish or Japanese, or the diverse Indian audience, they have been successful in penetrating each market through localization. This has been a contributing factor for Duolingo to be ranked as the most downloaded language learning app in 2024.

• Cultural sensitivity: Same symbols, images, or words might have different meanings in different cultures. Long before its misappropriation as the symbol of Nazi power, swastika meant well-being, prosperity, and good fortune in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In the 20th century, the symbol, known as “Hakenkreuz,” became an image of hatred, fascism, and anti-Semitism due to its adoption by the Nazi Party. Through localization, one can avoid making cultural missteps that may end up unintentionally offending any culture.
• Improved comprehension and retention rate: People learn best in their native language. Students learn best when they can connect the content with their own environment and shared experiences. By providing these two elements together, localization increases the students’ ability to understand and remember information, thereby resulting in improved learning outcomes.
• Increased engagement: Localizing games, interactive simulations, videos, and other multimedia elements, in addition to localizing language, will help the students interact with the eLearning content better.
• Better market penetration: It helps in attracting learners from various regions, thus providing a competitive advantage.
• Cost savings in the long run: While initial costs with eLearning localization may be high, the long-term benefits, including increased learner engagement and satisfaction, can lead to better returns on investment.

The benefits of localization make it a major tool for the eLearning industry. By personalizing e-content to each region and culture, it can increase the retention rate and reduce the dropout rate of learners significantly. People will no longer be denied education because of their language. Cultural adaptation will help learners to identify with the content, and this will result in fewer chances of cultural backlash for the material. Localization also promotes critical thinking, as users are encouraged to think and understand in their own language.

A successful localization strategy will be beneficial for both learners and content creators. For it to be effective, though, one should identify various barriers that might inhibit them from tapping into the full potential of localization.

Various challenges to localization can impact its effectiveness.

• Cultural barriers: Not understanding the norms, traditions, and values of a particular culture, like what is considered acceptable or offensive, can adversely impact how the content will be received by the target audience. By conducting proper research on the target market and through beta testing, this barrier can be overcome. Using inclusivity guidelines will help avoid unnecessary stereotyping or offensive content on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, and economic conditions.
• Political sensitivity and legal constraints: Ignoring cultural and political differences while localizing content can result in legal complications and potential financial losses. Consider that an eLearning platform rolls out a course on business etiquette. In one of the modules, the platform features a video discussing gift-giving practices. The video highlights the practice of giving gifts in Japan, emphasizing that it is a common way to build business relationships. However, it fails to address the cultural acceptance surrounding gift-giving in countries like Saudi Arabia, where certain types of gifts, such as alcohol, items that depict certain animals, or gifts that imply luxury, can be considered offensive due to strict adherence to Islamic customs. This oversight can lead to backlash from users in the Middle East, who might feel that the content disrespected their cultural values and norms. This highlights the importance of political sensitivity in eLearning content localization.
• Technical barriers: Using tools and software that support multilingual and multiple multimedia content will enable proper access to learning. Software and platforms need adjustments to make it user-friendly for all in multiple languages. For example, a website designed for left-to-right languages may need reworking to accommodate right-to-left (RTL) languages like Arabic or Hebrew.
• Language nuances: Translating educational materials needs more than just converting text, it involves understanding and modifying regional expressions and technical terms. Developing style guides and glossaries for each language localization project will help overcome this barrier.

A way to overcome all these barriers is through feedback from the users. Employing professional translators and other subject matter experts is important in developing a successful localization strategy. Constant feedback and appraisal of the content will help in penetrating the target markets effectively.

1. http://https//phrase.com/blog/posts/translation-management-software-localization-and-translation-workflow/
2. https://medium.com/@custom_elearning/overcoming-common-obstacles-in-elearning-localization-f36a5385a552