Over the past two decades, employee and contractor training for businesses, organizations, and even the government have changed dramatically. Instead of large group gatherings and meetings with speakers and slide projectors, many organizations have shifted to computer-based learning, also known as eLearning, to train their employees. A subset of eLearning is microlearning, in which short training modules can be accessed and completed on demand.
However, as the means of delivering have changed from in-person to computer-based delivery, we have also seen a drastic change in the demographic makeup of the workforce. With well over 25 million Limited English Proficient (LEP) speakers in the United States, as well as significant numbers of businesses and organizations that have workforces located overseas, providing this type of training content in multiple other languages has become vital. Therefore, in this week’s blog, we will be talking about how to achieve a successful multilingual microlearning strategy.
How Does Microlearning Work?
Microlearning modules are usually presented in short, 3–5-minute segments. These shorter segments are meant to fit the average attention span more naturally. Therefore, shorter modules allow learners to absorb and retain the information more effectively. Microlearning modules are also typically created to be accessible in a variety of devices, from your laptop to smartphone or tablet.
Basically, microlearning is typically used to provide quick answers to specific problems, as opposed to longer and more general training modules. One of the key features of microlearning modules is the variety of methods used to present the content, such as short video tutorials, podcasts, presentations, games, quizzes, and short online lessons.
The Benefits of Microlearning & eLearning Localization
There are numerous benefits to utilizing microlearning as a part of your overall eLearning localization strategy. Most importantly, of course, by offering your microlearning and eLearning modules in other languages, you will make the content more accessible to a workforce that either does not speak English or has limited English proficiency. This ensures that the important information is truly learned and absorbed.
Microlearning localization can also be very cost-effective. Naturally, because the content itself is short, the cost will be lower than localizing larger training modules. Business and organizations can choose the most important training modules, or modules designed specifically for certain demographics (or overseas employees) to be localized rather than all of their content. Some other advantages of microlearning include:
- It is better suited for a younger workforce that is more adapted to a digital environment and viewing content in short “bursts”;
- Modules can be created and targeted to address specific issues and for specific employee demographics (such as non-English speakers);
- Because of the shorter length of the modules, learners tend to engage more with the learning, allowing for more effective absorption of the knowledge;
- Microlearning modules can be targeted at a specific issue rather than longer courses that can be more disruptive to employees’ time (and productivity);
- It is easy to update and involves a shorter development cycle than longer courses. This also reduces the localization costs for applying updates in other languages;
- Microlearning promotes productivity by empowering employees to adapt their training and learning to their work schedules.
It is clear that microlearning is a great tool to add to a robust eLearning program. For businesses and organizations where cost is a concern but need to make training – or certain specific types of training – available to non-English speakers and Limited English Proficient (LEP) speakers, microlearning is a significantly less expensive option.
How to achieve a successful multilingual microlearning strategy is as simple as taking a look at your overall eLearning program and determining if microlearning is right for your organization. From there, you will just need to determine which modules are needed to be localized and into which languages. Once you have done that, you will only need to find a localization partner that can help you to convert your eLearning and microlearning content into the specified languages, whether Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, or hundreds of other options.
At Translation Source, we are here to walk you through every step of the eLearning and microlearning localization process. We apply multimedia localization to improve your global eLearning strategy, allowing your non-English speaking and Limited English Proficient (LEP) employees and contractors learn the information they need to excel at their jobs.
Since we are a full-service provider, we can help not only with the translation component of your localization strategy, but all of the necessary back-end technical support and consulting for your target region, cultural adaptation, and much more. In other words, we are a truly “one-stop shop” for all of your eLearning localization and microlearning localization needs.
If you would like to learn more about Translation Source’s expert localization services for multilingual microlearning and eLearning, please email us at info@translation-source.com or call us toll-free at (800) 413-7838 to speak with one of our localization experts.
