Educational Voice Overs for Different Learning Formats: Apps, Courses & More

Digital learning is one of the fastest-growing methods of education, with stats showing improved retention for students and even increased income for businesses introducing e-learning for their employees. One aspect that makes these platforms successful? Educational voice overs.

Be it an app, online course, or training programme, the right voice over can make all the difference in engaging and educating learners.

Educational voice overs can be in the form of narration, character voices, interactive exercises, or overlayed on videos embedded in the learning material. For many people, absorbing information audibly is more effective than reading it, so providing a voice over can greatly enhance the learning process.

We have a great article about the benefits of expert voiceovers for e-learning, but here, we’re going to delve deeper into the specific requirements for these different educational formats.

The Science Behind Online Learning & Voice Overs

Adding a voice over to your learning platform can significantly improve the effectiveness of the material.

Learning through listening is less stressful for many people and can help with comprehension better than reading can.

Particularly if people struggle with visual processing or have learning difficulties, like dyslexia, hearing the content can be much more effective than reading it. And offering a combination of both reading and listening means learners can choose what works best for them.

According to Oxford College, students’ retention rates improved by up to 60% when learning online, compared to 8-10% for traditional classroom-based learning. They have the means to revisit the material, re-read, listen, or watch it again as necessary until they understand.

With an educational voice over, you can guide students through the course material, highlight important points, and engage them with exercises that require their responses.

Voice Overs for Different Educational Formats

Online education presents itself in many different formats.

Apps that teach people new languages, fitness, cooking, investing, and more have grown exponentially in recent years, and voice overs can supplement the material provided inside these apps.

For online courses, narration can be used for corporate training, online degrees and diplomas, and more. Narration is the perfect way to guide learners through a course, breaking it down into bite-sized chunks that are easier to digest.

As for training programmes, these can encompass many different learning methods. They may include interactive exercises alongside video demonstrations, making them more engaging. Interactive exercises often require voice overs to prompt and guide learners through the tasks.

Let’s look at some tips for choosing the right voice over for each of these formats.

Educational Apps & Mobile Learning

Educational apps are plentiful in today’s digital world, and there are some big players in the market.

Statista found Duolingo was the most downloaded educational mobile app in the UK, with over 1.9 million downloads in 2022. 

The iconic character voices within the app make it a fun and gamified way to learn languages (it wouldn’t be the same without Lily’s unbothered tone or Zari’s outgoing energy). And this can apply to any educational app.

Educational App Voice Overs

When it comes to educational app voice overs, you want a tone that’s engaging and friendly. The voice should sound like a knowledgeable friend or teacher, guiding the learner through the material in an approachable way.

The subject matter of your app will influence the type of voice, too.

For example, if your app teaches cooking skills, you may want a voice over artist with a warm and inviting tone that makes your learners feel comfortable and confident in the kitchen. Language learning apps will require native multilingual artists who can pronounce words correctly and be authentic while doing so.

Need advice on which style will fit your app best? Get in touch with us today, and we can help you find the right voice.

Online Qualifications, Degrees, & Diplomas

Gone are the days of having to attend a physical college or university to gain a qualification. With the rise of online education, students can now obtain degrees and diplomas from the comfort of their own homes.

Oxford College’s same research found that 25 to 34-year-olds were most likely to learn through an online course in the UK, so it’s not just for younger students either.

For online qualifications, adding a text-to-speech voice over can significantly improve the experience for students. They can listen to the material while reading along, giving them a multi-sensory learning experience that suits their preferences.

Voice over for educational videos embedded in the course material can also be a great way to enhance the learning experience.

A video could be included as an alternative to reading text, and the voice over artist can give a more in-depth explanation of the topic. This is especially helpful for visual learners who struggle with reading large amounts of text.

Online Qualification Voice Overs

The voice over you select should have a clear and easy-to-understand tone that guides learners through each section with ease.Since these courses are more in-depth, it’s important to choose a voice artist with good pacing and enunciation skills. They should be able to convey complex information in an engaging way without overwhelming the learner.

Computer-Based Workplace or Team Training

Online training is also becoming increasingly popular in the workplace. From health and safety courses to staff development, companies are turning to online training as a more cost-effective and efficient way to train their employees.

Oxford College recorded that 42% of organisations who started using online learning in their training processes saw an increase in income, proving just how beneficial it can be.

We have a full guide on choosing the best voice over for corporate training material, so we recommend reading through there for advice.

Audiobooks & Podcast-Based Learning

While they’re often associated with entertainment, there is a wealth of non-fiction audiobooks and podcasts that can provide valuable learning opportunities. 

From self-help and personal development to historical and scientific topics, audiobooks and podcasts offer a convenient way to learn on the go.

Audiobook & Podcast Voice Overs

The genre and subject matter will play a significant role in selecting the right voice over for your podcast or audiobook.

For example, if your content is comedic or lighthearted, you may choose an artist with a playful and humorous tone. For more serious topics, a calm and informative voice may be more appropriate.

Consider who your audience is, too. If your target audience is children, a female voice over might be the better option, as children and young people tend to respond better to higher-pitched voices associated with females.

A female voice with a low tone conveys a sense of confidence, authority, and intelligence, making it suitable for educational content aimed at adults or older audiences.

Multilingual Educational Voice Overs

If you plan to launch your app in multiple countries, share your training programme with international branches, or target a diverse audience, utilising multilingual voice over services can help ensure everyone has access to the same high-quality learning experience.

By using native speakers or specialist linguists, you can guarantee correct pronunciation and a natural-sounding voice, which is crucial for language learning apps or other educational materials with a strong emphasis on verbal communication.

For audiobooks and podcasts, having a multilingual voice over can also open up your content to a wider audience, making it more inclusive and accessible.

What’s Involved in the Localisation of eLearning Content

Your script will need to be translated accurately, taking into account elements like speech length and timing, ensuring it still flows and fits with your visuals.

For example, the phrase “Here, we’ll show you how to do it” in English translated to Dutch is “Hier laten we je zien hoe het moet”, which is longer to say and may impact the timing of how the script is delivered or line up with visuals in a video demonstration.

This is just one small piece of the localisation puzzle, which is why working with a professional multilingual voice over company is essential for creating a seamless learning experience for all audiences.

How Matinée Can Help With Your Online Educational Voiceover Needs

Here at Matinée Multilingual, we have over 40 years of experience providing voice over services for various educational materials in multiple languages. 

Our team of professional linguists and voice artists ensure accurate translations and high-quality recordings to enhance the learning experience for audiences all around the world.

Whether you’re creating an educational app, online course, or training e-module, we can help you create content that engages and educates your learners.

Fill out a Quick Quote form today with details on your project brief, and one of our account managers will get back to you with a quote and more information on how we can assist you.

FAQs

Should I Use an AI Voice in My Online Training Course? + –

Human voice overs have many benefits when used for online training courses, such as creating a more engaging and humanised learning experience. AI voice overs can play a role in e-learning, however, particularly for long-form content, like narrating virtual textbooks or guiding people through an online degree. It can provide a more cost-effective option than human voices, with a quicker turnaround.

How Much Do Educational Voice Over Services Cost? + –

Fees and rates will vary depending on the talent you cast, how long your script is, if any translation services are needed, and other factors. The best way to get an accurate quote is to provide details on your project brief and speak with a voice over company directly.

You can complete our Quick Quote form online, including details on the type of e-learning content you’re creating, the length of your script, and any languages you require.

How Do I Add Voice Over to My Online Course? + –

Adding voice over to your online course can be done in various ways, depending on the platform or software you’re using. Generally, you will need to have a recorded voice over file and upload it to the corresponding section of your course builder.

You may also need to adjust settings for timing and audio levels to ensure a seamless integration with your visuals.

Where Can I Find Voice Actors for My eLearning App? + –

At Matinée Multilingual, we offer professional voice over services for various applications, including educational apps. We have a large pool of talented, experienced voice artists in multiple languages to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your project.

Head to our Voice Overs page to listen to examples of the talents we can connect you with, or get in touch with us today.