Successful management of multilingual computer-based training (CBT)

Further training is a key component in day-to-day business during times of rapid data processing. A few years ago, e-learning was the keyword - CBT (computer-based training) and WBT (web-based training) followed.

Companies and trainees have clearly shifted from wanting purely electronically organised contents to integrated training programmes with different project phases. These so-called forms of blended learning (didactic linking of 'traditional classroom learning' and electronic training/learning concepts) have become more prominent. Online learning centres now form an integral part of further professional training programmes.

Tried and tested processes

Over the past few years, euroscript has successfully completed several large-scale e-learning projects. In addition to preparing training course documentation in classical formats (DTP) and translating and adaptating film scripts to the target audience, other media such as flash animations with sound elements and interactive tutorials play a role. All projects required high levels of linguistic and content adaptation, and the different participants were fully integrated into the production process.  

Principles

euroscript has always believed that fundamental translation quality requirements must also be met in special-case scenarios. Established quality assurance processes, terminology tuning as well as CAT technologies (computer-aided translation) must also be applied to atypical types of documents and data formats.  

Project requirements

Here, the experience of professional service providers in the technical documentation sector can be transferred to the area of training: By configuring interfaces, between for example flash formats and a CAT system, voluminous and redundant texts from animations are processed using translation memories. This reduces the time spent on translations.   Customers' termnological specifications are available electronically to a large number of translators in the CAT-editor environment, thereby ensuring all training course material is consistent. Optimized import and export interfaces guarantee that key meta-information is retained and reduce expenditure for the manual reworking of text elements in the animation. Therefore, the translator does not require specialized knowledge of Macromedia^® Flash; the complex operational sequences are standardized and designed efficiently. During the final production of the CBT elements - after approval - customer and quality requirements define the workflows. In-house native speakers produce the sound elements; last-minute changes can be implemented quickly and economically.  

In terms of costs, in-house sound production is comparable to text-to-speech applications - with clearly higher quality and language varieties. Close cooperation among technical specialists, translators and speakers during final production guarantees accuracy and constant coherence of the modules. Various aspects, including technical fundamentals, a lack of terminological specifications and unclear role allocation, may affect and increase the price of the later process.

Conclusion

During the preparation phase for a multilingual training course, an experienced service provider should be consulted for the subsequent adaptation.  

Karina Martínez Ferber (euroscript Deutschland GmbH, Berlin)

Karsten Häcker (euroscript Deutschland GmbH, Berlin)