Localization Best Practices: Learning That Transcends Borders

Localization can’t be an afterthought anymore

Imagine spending weeks developing a training course to be launched in multiple regions around the globe. It’s got a sleek design, top-tier visuals and functionalities, and an intuitive interface. But the immediate returns are not at all what you anticipated. Engagement lags, learners seem confused, and completion rates are in the tank.

This is what happens when you treat localization as an afterthought. For today’s learners, a word-for-word translation isn’t enough. They want training that not only speaks their preferred language but also reflects their cultural nuances and aligns with how they actually live and work. Whether you’re launching a compliance course in Japan, onboarding restaurant staff in Mexico, or upskilling rural educators in the Midwest, your localization process needs to do more than just convert content—it needs to connect on a deeper level.

In this post, we’ll explore proven localization best practices, outline the key benefits of localization, and cover actionable localization strategies you can use to scale learning across multiple languages and locations.

The benefits of localization—why it’s worth the investment

Think about the last time you sat through a training that just didn’t connect with you. Maybe the examples or scenarios weren’t relevant to your experience, the humor was off base, or despite being in your native language, it was oblivious to important cultural nuances. It was probably difficult to stay focused on the content, let alone retain much of what you learned.

This is precisely what makes strong localization efforts so powerful. When training is truly localized, learners feel seen, understood, and motivated to complete the tasks and apply what they learn. And businesses around the world are catching on. According to a recent study by RWS, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of global enterprises are localizing their training content.

One standout example: A Fortune 500 restaurant group translated 138 courses in just five weeks using localization strategies—dramatically accelerating training delivery to a global frontline workforce.

Here are a few reasons why localization efforts are ramping up:

• Higher completion rates. Training tailored to local audiences leads to higher engagement and a greater sense of relevance, making learners more likely to finish the training.
• Better performance. When content goes beyond language to reflect specific aspects of local culture, learners apply new knowledge with confidence and accuracy.
• More equity and inclusion. High-quality learning in different languages ensures that all team members have access to the same growth opportunities, regardless of where they’re located.
• Greater satisfaction. When learners interact with content that feels natural and true in their target language, they’re more likely to feel positive about it, which builds a stronger and longer-lasting relationship.

Localization isn’t just a translation process. To create content translation that considers the full user experience, you have to adjust many aspects, such as tone, imagery, references, and even training structure. A training module that works for a U.S.-based warehouse, for instance, might need very different examples, wording, and visuals than ones designed for South America or Southeast Asia.

How to build a scalable localization process that works

It’s time for a shift in thinking. Localization isn’t the final step in the training process. It’s a foundational one. The organizations that do it best bake it right into the design and development workflows of their training from the start. It’s the key to consistently delivering content that feels customized, relevant, and right on time.

Accomplishing this at scale is no small feat. To keep the localization process efficient and error-free, it takes the right mix of tools, planning, and repeatable workflows.

Here’s how to make it happen:

Design for localization at the start

A little planning up front saves a lot of headaches down the road. Opt for flexible training layouts that can be adapted to different languages, avoid embedding text over images that may have to be changed later, and steer clear of region-specific references and idioms.

Standardize file formats

Make sure to choose file formats that are compatible with translation software and translation management systems (TMS). These formats make it easy to extract, translate, and reimport content without disrupting your course design.

Choose the right translation management system

There are many localization tools and platforms out there, so look for one that keeps terminology consistent and makes it easy to update different localized versions of your training. Your TMS should also be able to support other platforms you use for the training and enable collaboration between all teams and stakeholders involved.

Automate whenever possible

Many localization tools include AI assistance and other features that allow you to automate repetitive but crucial tasks like translation. Not only does it save time, but it also reduces opportunities for human error.

Create a feedback loop

Just because you embed localization efforts into the initial design, it doesn’t mean the process ends there. Be sure to build in a review process that encourages and gathers feedback from local stakeholders who can catch cultural missteps and offer solutions for improvement.

Agile localization strategies for global teams

The world moves fast these days. That means training content has an increasingly short shelf life. New regulations arrive overnight. Product updates sometimes happen weekly. And your team can’t afford to wait months for translated versions of training to catch up.

This is where agile localization comes in. Regardless of location, learners need content that is relevant, current, and meaningful. When you approach localization as an ongoing, collaborative process, you’ll produce scalable, high-quality, and culturally aware training across each of the markets you serve.

For instance, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) plans to use agile localization to deliver early childhood education credentialing programs to multilingual communities, ensuring broader access and cultural alignment in every region served.

Here are some tips for shifting your localization strategies to keep pace with the speed of global business:

1. Empower local experts

Don’t wait until the review process or after something’s gone awry to gather input from local stakeholders. Instead, invite them to participate in the content planning process. Consider appointing localization champions in key markets to work as consultants, reviewers, and workflow advisors. They can field questions, flag potential missteps before they happen, and identify emerging trends that can strengthen the localization process.

2. Pilot new content in select regions

Before rolling out a new course in 15 different languages, test it out in one or two. Use these content translation pilots to uncover pain points, gather feedback, and make adjustments before a full launch in each different region. This minimizes the amount of rework you’ll have to do on the back end.

3. Create a content governance playbook

Managing numerous localized versions across multiple regions around the world can lead to pure chaos if you don’t have a plan. Establish version control protocols, define who owns what, and specify what the update cadences will be. This will help keep global training aligned while empowering regional autonomy.

4. Modularize content for easy updates

Instead of localizing lengthy training courses as a singular unit, try breaking them down into smaller content modules. That way, when a policy changes or a new product feature comes down the pike, you can easily pinpoint the specific module that requires an update, rather than updating the entire course. It’s a faster and more scalable process that saves time and reduces risk.

5. Host regular global syncs

One of the biggest challenges with localization is keeping global teams aligned. To make this happen, schedule regular (monthly, quarterly, etc.) check-ins with content creators, designers, editors, and regional leaders that provide a forum where they can share what’s working, where they are encountering roadblocks, and how they can better align on priorities. These sessions foster a sense of shared ownership, speed up the decision-making process, and keep everyone heading in the same direction, regardless of geography.

Localize like a pro or risk getting left behind

Localization isn’t a luxury. It’s a potential game-changer. Today’s learners expect content that speaks to them personally and reflects their reality. Generic training doesn’t get the job done. When treated as a strategic advantage, rather than a box to check after the fact, you’ll unlock real results: higher engagement, faster adoption, and better overall performance.

The right tools, combined with a thoughtful and sensitive approach to cultural awareness, will take your content translation to the next level. Because when training feels familiar and inclusive, learners connect with it on a human level, and its impact lasts much longer.

Want to see localization in action? Check out how the NHSA used Articulate 360 to improve access to early childhood education credentials across languages and communities. And see how a Fortune 500 restaurant group translated 138 courses in just five weeks using Articulate Localization to accelerate training across global teams.