Translation services are vital resources whenever we need online content adapted into other languages. Companies expanding into other countries find that adding other languages and full website transcriptions can help with marketing, e-commerce, and more. Another industry that can benefit from this is the education industry. With so many students distance learning online, they need online content that’s accessible and easy to understand. That’s where a translation company can help.

Why Do You Need Translated eLearning Content?

The first question here is, why bother? The idea of getting everything you have online translated into different languages sounds pretty time-consuming for what may only be a handful of foreign students. Is it really worth it? The short answer is yes because you have to look at the bigger picture. Right now, there may be one or two people with English as a second language using your online learning tools. They’re getting by at their own pace and hopefully passing the modules, but it could be easier for them. If they have access to translations, then the course will be more accessible and less stressful. They’re more likely to succeed, and you get a higher pass rate for your material.

Beyond that, more students will see your success rates and get recommendations from others who have enjoyed the course. You prove yourself to be an institution that cares about equal access to education and supporting people fighting to better their circumstances. Without these tools, you could find yourself falling behind other online colleges or training companies and losing out.

What eLearning Content Can You Get Translated?

Now we know why these translation tools are so useful for people learning content in a foreign language, what should you get translated to help them out? There are all kinds of ways that a professional translation company can help foreign students get the most out of their learning materials.

1) Written content on course modules

First, there’s all the written content that your students need for any course modules. There’s a lot of valuable information packed into concise chapters of content, and it all has to be accurate if students are going to ace their assignments. Translation into their native language makes it so much easier for them.

2) Written content on training manuals

The same goes for any educational training manuals for companies. Whether you’re trying to teach people how to use a piece of equipment or ensuring they know all the company policies, it has to be easy to understand. There’s no room for mistranslations of English content because English is not their first language. So, get them fully translated.

3) Written content on assessments

You need the same level of accuracy and consistency on any written content for assessments and exams. Every student needs to be able to read the question with ease, understand the terminology, and appreciate any fine details in the context. You can’t have native-speaking students gaining an advantage because your foreign students misunderstood the assignment.

4) Subtitles for audio files

It isn’t just written content that requires translations directly from English into other languages. Many courses will make use of audio files as part of their materials. This could be a historical speech or interview with someone where it helps to hear their voice and tone. Accurate subtitles or transcripts can help make them easier to understand.

5) Subtitles for videos

The same goes for any video files used in your course content. Clips from YouTube videos or video recordings of lectures can be a useful tool for imparting a lot of knowledge from a reliable source. However, this only works if every viewer can understand every word. Again, accurate subtitles can make all the difference for foreign learners.

6) Descriptions for images

Another tool that’s worth considering is text descriptions on images. These aren’t as important for direct translation of content into the right language. However, these text tools are valuable to those with visual impairments. If you’re going to set this up for your English-speaking students, you should do the same for your foreign students.

7) Translations for user portals and other website tools

Finally, there are the additional aspects of the institution’s website. Students have to access the course content with ease online before they can try to read it. That means full translations of all web content to make navigation even easier. Make it easy to switch the language on the homepage, course listings, and especially the student profile.

Why Hire Professional Translators?

This is all highly rewarding, and it pays to overhaul your online content and get it translated. However, there’s a lot of work, and it sounds like it will be quite expensive to get it all done. This concern over costs is why too many companies will try machine learning tools and AI instead of hiring real-life translators. It may be cost-effective in the short term, but it isn’t going to get you the results you’ve been hoping for.

Machine learning isn’t always accurate when it comes to dialect, grammar, and the context of a sentence. One small mistranslation or mispronunciation of a word on an audio file could make a big difference. You don’t get this with human translators who have a deeper understanding of conversational language and everyday use. They can work to ensure that all the files are consistent in their accuracy and tone and conform to the standards you need. They’re also far more open to suggestions and calls for adaptations should you need that. Also, once you find a professional you can trust, you can come back to them with additional work in the future.

Hire A Professional Translator Today

Translations of educational materials and course content can help non-native students learn more easily and bridge the gap between them and English-speaking students. This improved accessibility and equality means your courses will be even more valuable to anyone studying in other countries or foreign students new to the country. So, find the best translation company, have them overhaul your site, and see how it can improve the experience of your foreign students.