Employee training is the backbone of any successful organization. But what happens when your workforce spans continents, cultures, and languages? Suddenly, one-size-fits-all e-learning doesn’t cut it. Training materials that aren’t properly translated and localized can derail employee development, affect retention, and limit overall performance.
Translation and localization keep training clear, relevant, and usable for everyone. That’s how global learning succeeds.
Why Translation Matters in E-Learning
According to a 2023 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. Yet, if training content is in a language they struggle to understand, the value is diminished or lost all together.
- Language barriers lead to disengagement. Learners who cannot fully comprehend training materials are more likely to disengage and fail assessments.
- Poor retention of knowledge. Studies show learners retain 25–60% more material when delivered in formats that feel natural and relatable—translation and localization play a key role in this.
- Reduced ROI. Developing e-learning modules is a big investment. Without translation and localization, much of that investment is wasted.
The Power of Localization
It’s not just about translating words—it’s about adapting the tone, visuals, cultural references, and examples to fit the learner’s context.
For instance:
- A U.S.-based training module on customer service might use baseball metaphors, while learners in Germany or China may find these confusing and irrelevant. Localization swaps them with relevant equivalents.
- Compliance training in Europe needs to reference GDPR, while in the U.S. it must include OSHA or HIPAA.
By tailoring content, you ensure your employees not only understand but also connect with the training.
How Global Leaders Get E-Learning Right
- Airlines & Safety Training: Major airlines translate and localize safety training into over 20 languages to ensure every crew member, regardless of origin, follows standardized procedures.
- Tech & Software Training: Companies like Microsoft localize training materials across 100+ languages so employees worldwide can upskill with confidence.
Without such adaptations, organizations risk compliance failures, safety issues, and employee dissatisfaction.
Bromberg & Associates: Your Partner in the Full E-Learning Cycle
At Bromberg & Associates, we don’t just translate training — we help organizations build and deliver it. Our team works across the entire e-learning lifecycle:
- Course Development: Designing and building e-learning in authoring tools like Articulate Rise, Storyline, and Captivate.
- Translation & Localization: Supporting over 80 languages, adapting industry-specific content (healthcare, legal, education, manufacturing, technology) for cultural and regulatory accuracy.
- Course Rebuild & LMS Deployment: Delivering SCORM/xAPI-compliant packages and working directly in LMS environments such as Canvas, Moodle, and Blackboard Learn to ensure smooth delivery.
Use Cases:
- For a global manufacturer, we built safety training in Rise 360, then translated it into 8 languages and delivered them as complete SCORM modules.
- For a healthcare client, we localized compliance training across multiple languages, added subtitled video and adapted assessments, and deployed the content from our LMS for hundreds of employees.
This integrated approach means you don’t have to juggle multiple vendors.
With Bromberg, you have one partner guiding the process from content creation to multilingual delivery.
Final Thoughts
Investing in multilingual e-learning is about performance, compliance, and long-term success. With the right partner, you can unlock the full potential of your global workforce.
Bromberg & Associates ensures your training doesn’t just reach your employees, it resonates with them.
Ready to elevate your e-learning programs? Let Bromberg & Associates help you create, translate, and deliver training content for maximum impact.