Training sessions often can feel like fast-moving juggling acts. You’re tossing out ideas, catching questions mid-air, flipping through slides, racing against the clock, and still trying to land all your key points. In the middle of that whirlwind, it’s easy to drop in sayings, idioms, or bits of workplace lingo without even noticing. But here’s the catch: If you say, “Keep your eye on the ball,” or “Low-hanging fruit,” not everyone in the room may understand—especially if English is not their first language.
Being Mindful of Your Language
By paying attention to the words you choose, you can turn your training sessions into a place where everyone feels welcome and ready to jump in. Tiny tweaks can make a huge difference to help all participants feel confident, included, and fully in the game. Check out the table below for a quick cheat sheet. Swap out confusing expressions for clear, friendly language that works in discussions, instructions, or any written materials.
Adapting Slides and Handouts
When discussing translating trainer talk, it’s not just the words—it’s also the visuals. What appears “normal” to you might leave some learners scratching their heads. Making your visuals culturally sensitive helps everyone stay on track and feel like they belong. Think of it as giving your visuals an international passport—ready to travel across cultures! Here are some tips to help your materials land smoothly with every learner:
- Images and visuals: Choose images that reflect a variety of people and situations. Avoid using only Western office scenes or holiday imagery that not everyone celebrates. For example, when illustrating teamwork, show a diverse group of colleagues in a virtual meeting, a factory floor in India, or a retail team in Mexico.
- Names and examples: Rotate names and scenarios to include different cultural backgrounds. Instead of always using John and Mary in an American-style office, you could use Aisha and Omar in a marketing team in Dubai, Li Wei and Chen in a manufacturing plant in China, or Sofia and Carlos in a customer service department in Brazil. Vary the names and work settings (offices, factories, remote teams, retail environments, and so forth) so all participants can relate to the examples.
- Colors and symbols: Some colors and icons carry different meanings across cultures. For instance, red can mean danger in one place and luck in another. Consider using neutral colors when possible, such as blue or green arrows, gray icons, or universally understood symbols such as checkmarks or lightbulbs. However, if you need to include a specific color (such as a company logo), make sure it’s explained or balanced with other neutral visuals so it doesn’t confuse or distract learners.
- Humor: Visual humor can be tricky across cultures. Jokes, puns, or pop culture references that feel natural to you may confuse or even offend learners from different backgrounds. To keep everyone engaged, choose light, universal humor such as funny everyday situations or a simple cartoon. For example, you can show someone carrying a full coffee cup while opening a door—oops, a spill! Everyone gets it. Everyone chuckles.
- Measurements: Be mindful of units, numbers, and examples that rely on local conventions. You can show measurements visually by using simple charts, maps, or icons with dual labels. So if you’re showing a line on a map indicating the distance to a factory, you could label it 20 miles (32 km). Adding small icons, such as a walking figure or car, helps learners quickly understand the scale and makes the measurement relatable.
Remember: Visuals that are culturally sensitive don’t just look nicer; they make your session easier to understand and help every learner feel included.
Tapping into AI—Your Training Sidekick
Here’s where artificial intelligence (AI) can give you an extra set of eyes: Imagine having a digital assistant that can flag idioms before you present, suggest simpler wording on the fly, or even offer quick cultural checks. AI tools can help you swap out “insider” language for clearer alternatives, generate diverse names and scenarios for your examples, and even test how your materials might come across to a global audience. Think of it as having a training assistant who’s always on call—quietly scanning your content so you can focus on delivering the energy in the room.
