Localization Testing For Multilingual eLearning Courses

The Advantages Of Localization Testing

In my extensive experience with localizing eLearning courses, I’ve realized that translation alone isn’t enough. You have to check the translated content in its final, fully integrated form before going live through localization testing. Statistics also underscore the importance of thorough testing in eLearning, for example:

• Companies that invest in comprehensive testing report a 70% reduction in technical and linguistic issues, improving the overall User Experience​​.
• Learners are 50% more likely to complete courses when they encounter fewer technical problems and receive high-quality content​​.
• Well-tested solutions with engaging eLearning content and a smooth interface see 40% higher levels of learner engagement.

Key Focus Areas For Testing

Multilingual eLearning courses require the performance of localization testing (both linguistic and functional) to ensure that the content is accurate and works well across different languages. Through my practice, we’ve identified several focus areas that have proven significance.

Functional Testing

Firstly, functional testing ensures that all course elements operate correctly and efficiently, including seamless navigation, properly functioning interactive elements such as buttons and pop-ups, and the correct course display across various devices and browsers. This step is not necessarily performed by native-speaking linguists, but their involvement is recommended.

• Course navigation
  Ensuring all transitions and links work correctly, and all windows display in the proper order, is critical for a seamless User Experience. Navigation should be intuitive, guiding learners smoothly from one module to the next without confusion. Smooth navigation ensures that learners can progress through the course without frustration. Broken links or incorrect transitions can disrupt the learning flow, leading to decreased satisfaction and engagement.
• • Example
    A global corporation’s eLearning website for employee onboarding had multiple broken links, confusing new hires and delaying their onboarding process. Rigorous testing fixed all navigation issues, resulting in a smoother onboarding experience and improving the completion rate by 30%​.
• Interface element functionality
  Ensuring pop-ups and notifications appear correctly upon button clicks; buttons and toggles function properly; and certification points are correctly allocated. Interactive elements are crucial for engaging learners and need to function flawlessly to avoid frustration. Properly functioning interactive elements keep learners engaged and provide immediate feedback, which is crucial for effective learning. Malfunctioning elements can lead to frustration and disengagement.
• • Example
    During testing, a financial services company’s training module revealed that several interactive elements, such as quiz buttons and feedback notifications, were not functioning correctly. By addressing these issues, the company ensured that learners could complete quizzes and receive immediate feedback, which increased the quiz completion rate by 50%​.
• Cross-device support
  To reach a broad audience, the course must display and function properly on different devices and in various browsers. It should adapt to different screen sizes and maintain usability on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Learners access courses on various devices, so ensuring compatibility across all platforms enhances accessibility and a good User Experience. This inclusivity increases course completion rates and overall satisfaction.
• • Example
    A retail chain’s product knowledge training did not display correctly on tablets and smartphones initially. Testing and optimization led to a 40% increase in mobile access and course completion rates.

Linguistic Testing

Linguistic testing is as important as functional testing in multilingual eLearning environments, as it ensures that the content is accurately translated and culturally appropriate for all target audiences. This involves checking text formatting, layout, and audio and video elements synchronizing with the course’s professional appearance. This step must be performed by native speakers of the target language, as they would be the most equipped to find and effectively resolve all the issues.

• Text formatting and layout
  Ensuring text is correctly formatted, and the layout matches the original course, including graphics, lists, and buttons, is crucial for readability and comprehension. Consistent formatting across different languages and regions maintains the professional appearance of the course. Appropriate text length and no cut-offs are essential for readability and understanding. Poor formatting can make the content difficult to read and comprehend, reducing the effectiveness of the training.
• • Example
    A software company’s training materials were translated into multiple languages. Testing revealed text length mismatch, cut-off text blocks, and layout issues, which were corrected to improve learner comprehension and satisfaction​.
• Video and captions alignment
  This involves ensuring subtitles appear at the right time and are synchronized with related audio and video sequences; voice-over accuracy; and ease of auditory comprehension in different languages. Accurate alignment and synchronization are essential for non-native speakers and learners with hearing impairments. Synchronization of video and captions is crucial for ensuring that learners can follow along accurately. Misalignment can cause confusion and hinder the learning process, especially for those relying on subtitles.
• • Example
    An international health organization used eLearning videos for medical training. Testing showed that subtitles and audio were not synchronized, impacting understanding. Post-testing adjustments improved the learning experience and test scores by 20%.

Practical Tips For Effective eLearning Content Testing

1. Create a testing checklist
   Include essential elements such as navigation, functionality, audio and video synchronization, and cross-platform compatibility.
2. Use real devices
   Test your courses on various devices and platforms to ensure compatibility and responsiveness.
3. Engage beta testers
   Involve target audience representatives in the testing process to identify issues that internal teams might overlook.
4. Regularly update your content
   Continuously update and improve your courses based on user feedback and technological advancements.

Localization testing allows source materials to be precisely adapted to the regional and cultural features of other countries. It is the final stage in creating a high-quality product.

And one last piece of advice for those of you creating eLearning content that will facilitate localization and testing your courses for different languages and locales—keep the global audience in mind. Create culturally universal courses, avoiding sentences that are too long and ambiguous and references to local realities or idioms. Unless, of course, you offer learning about a specific country’s culture.

Editor’s Note: Check out our directory to find, choose, and compare eLearning Industry’s Top eLearning Translation & Localization Providers.