What to Consider When Selecting E-learning Translation Services in the UK

Expanding your e-learning courses to a global audience requires effective localisation. This process often includes several aspects, including translation, subtitling, voice-overs, and digital editing. Finding a partner that offers comprehensive e-learning translation services in the UK with all these aspects included will make the process much more efficient, but what should you look for to ensure the results are high-quality?

In this blog, we will explore the different requirements you may have when localising your courses for international students and what to look for when selecting a suitable partner.

Choose a specialist translation company.

Your e-learning courses are likely to contain a large amount of written content, whether that’s course documents and manuals or on-screen text in videos or presentations. To localise this content, you will need a high-quality translation company.

When searching for the best e-learning translation services in the UK, look for a partner who specialises in e-learning localisation and, ideally, one that understands your specific field of study. Make sure the translation company has a team of experienced, native linguists who possess both in-depth language expertise and subject matter knowledge.

Quality assurance is another critical aspect that the translation agency should demonstrate. It should have robust quality control measures, including editing and proofreading by fully qualified linguists, and relevant certifications, such as ISO 9001:2015 for quality standards and ISO 17100:2015 for translation services.

With this proven expertise and knowledge, your translation partner should possess the translation skills to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate adaptations of your written e-learning materials.

Do you need a separate subtitling agency?

In today’s digital world, e-learning courses often take the form of videos or online webinars. When adapting these for your global learners, you may include subtitles to make the content more accessible. (The other option is voice-overs, which we’ll discuss below.)

Subtitles enhance learner comprehension, allowing them to follow the content seamlessly, regardless of their native language. However, do you need to explore subtitling agencies to engage as a partner separate from your translation agency?

The answer is no. A specialist e-learning translation company will regularly offer comprehensive services that include everything you need, such as written translation, transcription services, subtitling and voice-overs. When selecting subtitling services, consider the providers’ expertise, quality assurance processes, and adherence to industry standards. Look for subtitling agencies with experience in e-learning audio-visual content, as they will better understand the specific requirements and challenges involved.

Review portfolios and client testimonials to assess an agency’s reputation and track record. Ask about their quality control measures, such as proofreading and editing by native speakers, to ensure linguistic accuracy and consistency. Also check whether they offer an end-to-end service, where the translated subtitles are integrated into your videos by a skilled digital specialist, or whether the subtitles are simply provided in a separate file. Finally, good subtitling agencies should have streamlined workflows and efficient communication channels to facilitate collaboration and meet your project deadlines.

When are voice-overs a better option?

When localising your e-learning content, you’ll need to decide whether to use subtitles or voice-overs. Which option you choose will depend on the type of content you are delivering.

Voice-overs are particularly beneficial when the visual elements of the course require the learners’ full attention or when the material relies heavily on audio cues or instructions. By providing voice-overs, learners can focus on the visuals and simultaneously listen to the course content without the need to read subtitles. You may also want to consider using voice-overs if your content includes complex or technical terminology, as hearing the correct pronunciation and intonation can aid in better comprehension.

Reputable e-learning translation services in the UK should have the resources and expertise to deliver high-quality voice-over services. When selecting a partner, ensure they work with professional voice artists who can provide clear and engaging audio content in various languages. They should also have experienced digital engineers who can seamlessly integrate the recorded voice-overs into your video. Ask for samples that showcase this ability to help you decide.

The benefits of a comprehensive e-learning translation services partner

Choosing e-learning translation services in the UK that offer a comprehensive solution with all these elements will bring several benefits. First, working with a single partner simplifies the communication and coordination process. You can avoid the hassle of managing multiple vendors and ensure a smoother workflow. Secondly, a comprehensive partner offers a cohesive and consistent approach to e-learning localisation, maintaining brand consistency and instructional integrity throughout your courses.

Having a single partner also allows for greater efficiency and faster turnaround times. They’ll thoroughly understand your project requirements and can optimise the required processes, reducing turnaround times. With all the necessary services under one roof, your partner can streamline workflows and ensure seamless integration between translation, subtitling, voice-overs, and video editing requirements. This integration saves time, reduces costs, and helps ensure the final product meets your quality standards.

Mission Translate is a full-service language provider that specialises in the e-learning sector. We offer high-quality translation, subtitling and voice-over services to provide an all-inclusive solution to your e-learning localisation requirements.

To find out more, please get in touch with our team.