Supporting Multilingual Nursing Assistant Learners Without Lowering Standards 

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Anna Mowry

We’re hearing from providers across Minnesota about a shared challenge: strong, committed nursing assistant (CNAs) learners who struggle—not because they can’t do the work, but because training materials don’t fully support how they learn. That’s why OnTrack has expanded support for multilingual learners in CNA programs.

Maintaining Standards While Improving Outcomes

OnTrack’s multilingual learning supports are designed to address this challenge while keeping standards, instruction, and expectations fully intact. This approach aligns with how CNA competency is already assessed in Minnesota. Learners may take the written certification exam in Spanish, Somali, or Hmong, while the skills exam, where hands-on ability is demonstrated, remains in English.

OnTrack follows this same model:

• All live instruction remains in English
• All competency expectations remain unchanged
• Translated materials in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong are used to reinforce understanding

The goal is simple: help more learners fully grasp the material so they can meet and succeed within existing standards.

What’s Included

OnTrack now offers enhanced support for multilingual learners through:

• Learning Journals (textbook) in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong to reinforce comprehension alongside English instruction
• And supplemental translated resources, including:
  • Introductory course
  • Test preparation course
  • Practice exams

Learners continue to receive standard English materials, with the option to add translated resources as a support tool.

Why Providers Are Using This Approach

Multilingual supports are not about making training easier. They are about making it more effective. Providers are using these tools to:

• Improve comprehension during training
• Increase learner confidence and engagement
• Strengthen test readiness
• Reduce early training drop-off and turnover
• Better support new nursing assistants as they transition into the workforce

Getting Started: What You Need to Know Eligibility
To order translated learner materials, sites must have an active, approved OnTrack Nursing Assistant Program.

• Active OnTrack programs: Enroll learners as usual. You will see the option to add translated materials at checkout. Available at no cost for a limited time thanks to funding from the MN DHS GEAR Division and the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation.
• Not yet approved? Reach out to learn how to start training nursing assistant and medication aides through OnTrack’s programs.

To get started or learn more, contact Ontrack:
651-425-1110
ontracktrainingonline@gmail.com