Forum Discussion
Switching between languages in the LMS
Here is a workaround that I hope will solve the language-switching challenge with Articulate Localization.
The solution combines language-specific resources into a single SCORM package so that all languages run within the same SCO and share the same LMS attempt, including progress, bookmarking, and completion data. A language dropdown is added above the course, allowing learners to switch languages throughout the course.
To simplify this process, I developed a tool with the help of Claude.ai that packages everything without the need to manually add any code. It is a standalone HTML file that runs offline in browsers. I tested it in Chrome.
I have uploaded in this post a ZIP file containing the tool (html file) and a quick pdf guide.
To get started:
1- Unzip the attached zip and open the html file in your browser.
2- Publish all languages of the same localized course (or selected languages) by choosing “Publish separate LMS packages for each selected language”.
3- Rise will download a ZIP file containing the language packages. Upload this ZIP to the tool, then customize settings such as the default language, language order...
4- Finally, download the combined package and upload it to your LMS.
The tool is compatible with SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 (all editions).
I tested the solution on scormcloud.com, and the results were as expected: learners could switch languages at any point in the course, including during a quiz, without losing progress, bookmarking, or completion data. The course also reopened in the last language used.
Every LMS behaves a bit differently, so please test the tool thoroughly with your own courses and LMS.
Please note that after completion, preserving bookmarks and language changes for later visits depends on the course’s exit behavior and the LMS’s policies. The tool adds scope.EXIT_SUSPEND_IF_COMPLETED = true to scormdriver/driverOptions.js in the merged package so that upon revisiting, the learner is still able to change languages. The course continues using its existing save and commit mechanisms. The setting does not itself change completion status or override an LMS that locks completed attempts. To restore the original behavior of the Rise export, remove that line and recreate the ZIP with imsmanifest.xml at the top level. If needed, I can add this as a selectable option in a future update to the tool.
I created a sample course hosted on SCORM Cloud that includes English, French, and Arabic, demonstrating both left-to-right and right-to-left languages. It also includes a localized voiceover, a localized image, and a quiz.
You can try the SCORM 1.2 sample course as a learner here:
And the SCORM 2004, 4th Edition sample course here:
For this sample course, tracking is set to “Quiz result,” and reporting is set to “Passed/Failed.”
Please feel free to contact me if you find any issues.
Looking forward to your feedback.
Oh wow.... That is just AMAZING. I just don't have any options regarding standard or connected package, but I went with All languages and Publish separate and it works as expected. I was able to switch languages the amount of time I wanted. I was able to replace the content and still was able to do so with the updated SCORM file.
Thank you SOOO much for sharing. It'll avoid massive amount of tickets from end users when they select the wrong language by mistake or changed their mind. I was recently hire at my new job but at my former company we had request to reset the status in the LMS like multiple time a day due to a wrong language selection. As the LMS at my current job is working in a different way and due to the fact there's not that much employee to support those type of issues, that was quite concerning and I was reconsidering if localization tool was even the path we should take... However with your workaround, we'll be able to move forward. Once again, thanks you VERY VERY much for your sharing and hope it'll help other people as well.
Information for other users for me to keep track:
LMS - UKG Pro LearningSCORM Extract - SCORM 2004 v4 (2 languages)
I am very happy to hear that the solution is working for you! I encourage you to test it thoroughly to make sure everything is working as expected. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you identify any issues.
Sure, I'll do other tests but with SCORM 2004 v4 that is working as expected, I think we'll be good to go. Obviously I did some tests already, but I'll test all the courses that we'll implement with that feature moving forward to ensure it's working as expected for the end user. Thanks again :)
