Step 1: Understanding the problem

It is, perhaps, a statement of the obvious, but before you start developing, ensure that you fully understand the problem you have been asked to solve. The standard journalist's questions are a good framework to aid your understanding. Consider the following:

• Who: Will the two languages be displayed to all users or only to certain users? In our case, all users.
• What: Are we talking about US English or UK English? Does the client want "Mandarin", which means mainland Chinese displayed using the simplified character set? Our client has specified UK English and simplified Chinese Mandarin.
• Why: Is this because our users are bilingual, or is this being included as a teaching aid? The client is wanting two languages on the screen simultaneously as they are expecting the platform to be used in group teaching.
• Where: Moodle language switching toggles the language on the platform only; it doesn't toggle languages in any teaching materials. This client wants both the platform and the courses to be bilingual.
• When: Are two languages to be displayed everywhere or only in particular contexts? Dual languages are to be displayed throughout the platform.

Also, having gained an understanding of the problem, it's time to consider the how.