Do you want to train employees from different cultural backgrounds in a way that is respectful, relevant and effective? If so, you need to master the skill of delivering culturally fluent training. Generally, cultural fluency means familiarity with cultures: their natures, how they work, and ways they intertwine with our relationships in times of conflict and harmony. Therefore, culturally fluent training is the ability to create and deliver training that takes these things into consideration and resonates with learners from various cultures.

Video content is one of the most powerful tools for creating culturally fluent training. It can help you communicate your message in a clear and captivating way, using visual and auditory elements that appeal to different learning preferences. Video content can also showcase the diversity and inclusivity of your organization and connect with your audience on an emotional and personal level.

However, creating culturally fluent training videos is more challenging than it sounds. There are many factors and considerations that you need to take into account, such as language nuances, cultural sensitivity and inclusive visuals. These factors can have a massive impact on how your audience understands and receives your videos and whether it achieves your training objectives and goals.

This article will share some strategies and best practices for creating culturally fluent training videos and provide tips and examples for each. By the end of this article, you will be able to create training videos that resonate with employees from diverse cultural backgrounds and deliver universally impactful and engaging training.

1. How to Use Language Nuances to Improve Cultural Fluency

Language plays a key role in culturally fluent training, as it is the primary medium of communication and instruction. The most important advice we can give is to pay close attention to the nuances and subtleties of language in your training videos and how they affect the meaning and perception of your message.

Best practices for using language nuances:

One of the best practices for using language in culturally fluent training videos is to use clear and straightforward language and avoid jargon and slang. This can help you to ensure that your message is easily understood by your audience, regardless of their native language or level of proficiency. You can also use examples, analogies, and metaphors to illustrate your points and make them more relatable.

Another best practice is to consider the tone and style of your communication and how they can convey your attitude and intention. Depending on the message you are trying to communicate and the nature of your audience, it is good to consider if your tone and style should be:

• Formal or informal.
• Positive or negative.
• Direct or indirect.

A third best practice for using language in culturally fluent training videos is to consider the use of subtitles, voiceovers or translations for different languages. Depending on the size and diversity of your audience, you may need to provide your content in multiple languages or a common language that most of your audience can understand. You can use subtitles, voiceovers or translations to achieve this, but you need to be aware of the potential issues and limitations of each option, such as accuracy, quality, cost and time.

2. How to Create Culturally Sensitive Training Videos

Cultural sensitivity is another important aspect of culturally fluent training, as it is the ability to respect and appreciate the values and beliefs of your audience and to avoid stereotypes, biases, and assumptions. Cultural sensitivity can help you ensure that your training videos are relevant and appropriate for your audience and do not offend or alienate them.

Best practices for achieving cultural sensitivity:

The first step is to do your research and consult with experts or representatives from different cultures. This can help you to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of your audience and to avoid making mistakes or generalizations based on your own culture or perspective. You can also use feedback and evaluation tools to measure and improve your cultural sensitivity and address any issues or concerns.

Try to avoid stereotypes, biases, and assumptions and respect the values and beliefs of your audience:

• Stereotypes are oversimplified and often inaccurate images or ideas of a group of people based on their culture, ethnicity, gender, age, etc.
• Biases are preferences or prejudices that favor or disfavor a group of people based on their culture, ethnicity, gender, age or another demographic.
• Assumptions are beliefs or expectations taken for granted or considered true without evidence or verification.

These can all lead to misunderstandings, conflicts and even discrimination, which can quickly damage the trust and rapport between you and your audience. Therefore, you must be aware of your stereotypes, biases and assumptions in order to overcome them.

You also need to be respectful and open-minded toward your audience’s values and beliefs and acknowledge and appreciate their diversity and differences. Be careful and cautious when using humor, sarcasm or irony, as they can be easily misinterpreted or misused and can cause offense or embarrassment.

3. How to Use Inclusive Visuals in Your Training Videos to Connect With Your Audience

Inclusive visuals are another important aspect of culturally fluent training, as they are the images, graphics, and animations you use to support and enhance your message. Inclusive visuals can help you reflect your audience’s diversity and inclusivity and appeal to their visual and aesthetic preferences. Inclusive visuals can also help you improve the comprehension and retention of your training videos and make it more interesting and attractive.

Best practices for inclusive visuals:

One of the best practices for using inclusive visuals in culturally fluent training videos is to use images, graphics, and animations that reflect the diversity and inclusivity of your audience:

• Use visuals that represent people from different cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, etc., and show them in positive and realistic ways.
• Use visuals that show different perspectives and experiences and celebrate each culture’s uniqueness and richness.

Consider the factors and criteria that influence the selection or creation of your visuals, such as color, symbols, gestures, clothing, etc. These factors can have different meanings and associations in other cultures and affect your visuals’ appeal and interpretation. Therefore, you need to research, consult with experts or representatives from different cultures, and choose or create appropriate and respectful visuals for your audience.

Culturally Fluent Training Is a Mindset

Culturally fluent training is not only a skill, but also a mindset and an attitude. It requires you to be aware of your own culture and perspective and to respect and appreciate the culture and perspective of your audience. It also requires you to be creative and flexible and to adapt and adjust your content and delivery to suit the needs and preferences of your audience.

By creating culturally fluent training videos, you can enhance your employees’ learning outcomes, engagement and satisfaction, as well as foster a positive and inclusive work environment. You can also showcase the diversity and inclusivity of your organization and connect with your audience on an emotional and personal level.