Key elements for creating global training content

1. Diversified training methods 
   Every learner has his or her own characteristics , so adopting a diversified training method will help you attract a wider audience. This not only means using multiple formats on the content, such as hosting webinars, introducing gamification design, and incorporating multimedia content, but also means ensuring the diversity of the team when developing content. This brings different perspectives and expertise to each project. For example, in the US market, the language is usually more rhetorical and sentences often use exaggerated expressions; while the language of the Nordic market is more concise and direct. A diverse team that understands the culture of different markets can tailor more suitable content for readers in different markets .

When designing training, word choice and conversation structure are critical. Just as designing training for senior management is different than designing training for entry-level employees, global training should not take a one-size-fits-all approach. By providing learners with more opportunities to resonate with the content, training engagement and effectiveness will be greatly improved.

2. Considerations when translating content 
   If you plan to translate your original content, keep the following points in mind. First, use native speakers of your target market or country to ensure accuracy of terminology and phrases. For example, Spanish is spoken in multiple countries, but a Spanish translation from Spain may not be appropriate for the Latin American market because of differences in spelling, terminology, and everyday language. By using translation resources that are familiar with that market, you can help learners better understand the content.

Secondly, more and more educators are incorporating multimedia into their courses to cope with the media dominance of modern society. However, this also brings additional challenges and costs. If multimedia is part of your training strategy, you can simplify the localization process and reduce costs by reducing the number of images and graphics. Although dubbing is an effective tool to attract learners, considering the cost, you may consider whether to replace dubbing with images and text, especially when localizing a large amount of content.

3. Consider the countries and regions of your audience 
   Finally, consider the countries where your learners are based. Does your content need to be adapted before translation to meet the requirements of each country? Are regulations different in different markets? Does the same training content apply to all markets, or does it need to be customized and localized?

If so, ensuring that the training content can be flexibly adapted to different markets, without having to be significantly rebuilt, will help keep schedules and save costs. It is a good practice to create flexible content templates that you can easily modify by inserting relevant information based on market needs, rather than having to create separate courses for each market.

Additionally, learners’ time zone differences need to be considered. If live training is conducted, is translation available? Are training times appropriate for all markets? Can videos be recorded and provided with subtitles? Can pre- and post-course materials be translated and shared in advance to increase learner engagement?

By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that you are creating training content that is suitable for a global audience. If you would like to speak with a member of our team about how to optimize your eLearning strategy and make your learning content more interactive, please feel free to contact us.

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