With the rise of the internet, the world has become smaller and knowledge is more readily available than ever before. The eLearning industry is very aware of this and is increasing its influence, not only in interest-based learning, but in the academic and corporate sectors as well. As more e-courses and training modules are finding their way onto a global market, eLearning providers need to consider localizing their offerings to optimize content for an international audience.
Not that long ago, the only way to gain knowledge was to visit the library, go to a classroom, or learn by correspondence course through the postal service. With the emergence of the internet, almost everyone can find the course they need on any subject online. This development is illustrated by the rapid rise of eLearning.
In North America, the eLearning sector currently supplies about 40% of all available courses and this market is about to get much bigger. According to a recent Global Markets Insight report, eLearning was worth around $190 billion in 2018, and this is expected to increase to over $300 billion by 2025. This sharp rise is driven by the demand for cost-effective courses in the academic and corporate sectors. Technological advances have made it possible for employees to be trained effectively, and also, companies are experiencing a stronger need for upgrading the skills of their staff to stay ahead of the competition.
The United States and Canada are not the only markets experiencing significant growth. Globally, the eLearning sector is growing by around 8%. In markets like India and China, this rate has been recorded at more than 50% while regions like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brazil are not far behind. Almost everyone, whether in social, academic, or corporate settings, seems to be moving away from print and toward electronic media.
Whether you want to learn something new out of personal interest, are required to do training at work, or are studying in an academic setting, there is likely to be a relevant course available online. When it comes to casual learning new platforms are being developed to complement the offering of more established online institutions like Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera. Even on YouTube, you can find plenty of tutorials and courses of any length on various subjects.
We are living in a global village and the world’s top universities have taken note. Massive Open (MOOC) have become a popular form of remote learning. Top academic institutions are keen to show off their expertise in TED Talks, available on the internet to anyone who is interested. In addition, online training aimed at the corporate sector is also a booming business.For example, Lynda by LinkedIn Learning, and course suppliers who are developing custom-made programs for specific clients.
The expected rapid growth of the eLearning sector gives providers some excellent opportunities, yet it doesn’t come without its challenges. Due to the industry’s great potential, more players are likely to enter the market and competition will be fierce. It is important that eLearning providers quickly adapt to emerging trends to stay competitive. An important tool in this endeavor is making sure that any course targeted at foreign-language markets has been localized professionally.
The key to thriving in new markets is adaptation. Through the same technique that gave birth to the sector, the internet gives eLearning providers the chance to service an international audience. This opportunity has made translation and localization of content essential for eLearning providers.
The process of localization goes further than just translating. Course content not only needs to be available in the language of the specific market (translation), but should also be tailored (localized) to cultural differences, such as customs, values, imagery, and belief systems. While sometimes subtle in nature, adhering to these nuances can mean the difference between engaging and offending your target audience. If you are an eLearning provider, making sure that your course content has gone through an expert localization process is the most straightforward way to increase value and optimize your return on investment.
As the eLearning sector is expanding its global reach, now is the time for you, as a provider, to adopt sound localization practices. This will not only lead to optimized content for the specific target market but it also gives you the opportunity to set yourself apart from competitors. Other eLearning suppliers might just translate their content in another language rather than taking it the necessary step further.
We are a comprehensive language solutions provider with a specialized practice group for eLearning localization. At Andovar, we work with some of the best-known names in eLearning development and publishing. Our services encompass translation, cultural adaptation, desktop publishing, Flash and HTML5 integration, testing and audio/multimedia services from our offices around the globe.
Prepare for growth and discover what Andovar can do for you.