Effective Chinese Localization Tips of E-Learning Content for Online Courses (Part 2)

Editor’s note: This is a two-part blog series about e-learning and Chinese localization. The first post was about the localization of e-learning materials in corporate training. In this post, you will learn more about the value of Chinese localization of e-learning materials online courses.

Publishing multilingual content is a big step in business. 

There are significant factors to consider when localizing for your global audience. Culture, language, marketing strategies, and among others are essentials in the localization workflow.

The Chinese language, for example, is on the second spot when it comes to the top ten languages on the internet. If you’re planning to translate and localize your e-learning courses from English to Chinese, this post will serve as your guide in determining the essentials when publishing localized content. 

According to analysts, they believe that this $24 billion market will transform how teachers reach out to students even in the rural or smaller cities in China through live-streamed lessons. 

These days, AI-enabled teaching and learning has exploded, which gives global companies in the e-learning industry to explore opportunities for the growing Chinese students, including those who want to upgrade their skills. 

Discover and explore localization strategies below and see how they can fit in your educational content, including videos, audios, and online modules. 

#1 Make your content easy to read and listen in English

When you create content, it’s much better to use simple English. It will be translation-friendly for your global audience. Most industries have their own terminologies and phrases. But if you plan to go global, be mindful of the choice of words you use and test their readability. 

You can use the Flesch-Kincaid readability tests to check how difficult your sentences. The more difficult words you use, the more challenging the translation process can be. It’s not that translators are incapable of deciphering the content. But the more straightforward content will also help them convey the message from English to Chinese. 

You can also send your own glossary to guide the translators on your definitions and terms.

#2 Be engaging and interactive on your modules

Think like how your students think. Imagine, these days, the human attention span is only eight seconds, which is shorter than a goldfish. Most students taking online courses are doing it on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

As of this writing, 98.6% of internet users in China access the internet via mobile devices. Given the technologies available, you need to find ways to keep them engaged with interactive modules to lessen the distractions as they study. 

When it comes to videos – if you want to add Chinese subtitles and Mandarin voice-overs – make sure you choose the appropriate voice talent that will match your instructor’s style and voice.

Keep your quizzes short and allow the students to stay engaged with your e-learning platform with localized elements and designs, too. Localization isn’t just about the workflow and entire system, even the buttons, layout, and designs matter. You may explore the best practices in marketing and Chinese designs, too. 

#3 Offer rewards and incentives to motivate them

How you design your rewards program or system will also affect how students engage with your e-learning courses. From badges to certificates and gift cards, rewards will likely encourage them to finish classes and stick with your modules. 

There’s a cyclical process called habit loop where designers, developers, and marketers apply it to create habits for customers to stay engaged in a campaign or games and other promotional offers. 

You may want to localize your rewards program for your Chinese students and enrollees. 

Remember, you must understand how your students consume content. And once you know their behavior, you can localize your modules that will fit their preferences to retain their loyalty to your e-learning courses.

If you need help in localizing your e-learning materials and courses, feel free to message us, and we’ll send you a customized quote.