Localization Program

Summary: I designed and built an automated localization system to make 750 courses available in 15 languages. The solution integrates a custom pre- and post-processing utility that parses SCORM packages, leverages SmartCat’s command-line interface (CLI) for translation, and reinserts the content, enabling full course localization (text, UI, captions, and media) within 24 hours. The result: drastically reduced manual effort, improved compliance, and a scalable foundation for global training success.

Project images

Project screenshot - language plan
Project screenshot - workflow
Project screenshot - program running

Challenge

MasterControl Academy offers 750+ English-language eLearning courses, but lacked a scalable localization process. The existing manual workflow took 38–60 minutes per course and left key components untranslated, including:

  • Video captions remaining in English.
  • Internal navigation and links redirecting to untranslated content.
  • Poor searchability for non-English terms.

These limitations created barriers for non-native speakers and posed compliance risks in regulated global markets.

Solution

I developed an program plan that called for the development of an automated localization pipeline that processes and reintegrates translated course content with minimal human intervention. Key components included:

CUSTOM UTILITY DEVELOPMENT

  • Extracts all course text, including .vtt video captions, from SCORM packages.
  • Converts content into structured JSON for translation.
  • Uses SmartCat’s CLI to batch-translate course materials into 15 target languages.
  • Reintegrates translated assets into the SCORM package, preserving structure, functionality, and LMS compatibility.

FULL ECOSYSTEM TRANSLATION

The system localizes not just core course content, but also:

  • Catalog pages and associated metadata.
  • Learning paths and UI-level navigation.
  • Multimedia captions and embedded instructional content.

QUALITY CONTROL LOOP

A feedback process with regional SMEs ensures high-quality, contextually relevant translations. Version control is built into the utility, enabling efficient iteration and refinement.

My Role

  • Owned the end-to-end design, development, and deployment of the localization program.
  • Designed the automation workflow and system architecture.
  • Developed the custom SCORM-to-JSON utility using Python.
  • Integrated SmartCat CLI with our LMS and authoring pipeline.
  • Collaborated with global stakeholders to validate and test localized outputs.

Tools & Technologies

  • Development: Python, SmartCat CLI, JSON, SCORM 1.2/2004
  • Authoring: Articulate Rise
  • LMS: Skilljar
  • Collaboration & Versioning: Git

Impact

  • 96 courses localized to date, with plans to scale to 750+.
  • Up to 80% reduction in localization time per course.
  • Automated translation of all course elements, including .vtt video captions and navigation components.
  • Adopted as the global localization standard for MasterControl Academy.
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