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The award-winning Plain Language Academy
offers courses in English, listed here, en Français through Académie du languge clair et simple, en Español through the Academia de Languaje Claro and through Plain Language Institute in South Africa. Plain language knows no boundaries and neither do we. 
We want to help you achieve.
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You can take all the courses, or just the ones that interest you.
Our Foundation Program is built on Core and Advanced courses. Begin your plain language learning journey by understanding the real meaning of and the process of clear communication. Then enhance your awareness of your audience and improve your writing and editing skills. Find out how to apply important clear design guidelines. Build a tool kit of testing and evaluating methods that suit your needs. And, apply it all in the project course. Our Advanced courses are designed to meet the growing demand for specialized knowledge: legal, health, online content; science, climate change and strategic planning. Certificates are presented for successful course completion. Letter of Achievement is sent to you when six are completed successfully, the first three core courses and any three others. Three steps to your next course 1. Go to: PlainLanguageAcademy.Moodlecloud.Com 2. Create your own Moodle account. 3. Choose the course/s you want and register. See the calendar below for dates. Your time is important
Want to start a course on your time? Just ask us at kate@plainlanguageacademy.com. No time for a course but still need help?
We offer coaching and consulting. Just ask Kate for advice at kate@plainlanguageacademy.com. |
Core Courses - 2023 dates
New package discount: The Core courses are required as part of your Letter of Achievement. Starting in 2022, Core Courses C1 Plain Language Basics,
C2 Audience Awareness, and C3 Plain Language Writing and Editing are bundled for a discount of 15% ($115 rebate) when you register and pay for all three at the same time. 1. Set up your account on plainlangaugeacademy.moodlecloud.com 2. Pay for each of the three Core courses individually using the PayPal link provided. You will then receive your rebate.
C2 Audience Awareness, and C3 Plain Language Writing and Editing are bundled for a discount of 15% ($115 rebate) when you register and pay for all three at the same time. 1. Set up your account on plainlangaugeacademy.moodlecloud.com 2. Pay for each of the three Core courses individually using the PayPal link provided. You will then receive your rebate.
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C1: Plain Language Basics
Registration open $250.00 CAD Goals After completing this course, you will be able to identify and locate existing information on:
Outline Module 1: What is Plain Language? Module 2: Use Plain Language to Solve Problems Module 3: Making the Message Clearer Module 4: Review and Wrap-up Module 5: Quiz Module 6: Assignment Facilitator Kate Harrison Whiteside, Key Advice and PlainLanguageAcademy.com. kate@plainlanguageacademy.com |
C2 : Audience Awareness
Registration open. $250.00 CAD Goals You will gain skills in:
Outline Module 1: Knowing your audience Module 2: Understanding your audience Module 3: Design, accessibility, audience needs Module 4: Review and resources Module 5: Quiz Module 6: Assignment Facilitator Kate Harrison Whiteside , Key Advice and PlainLanguageAcademy.com. kate@plainlanguageacademy.com |
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Course 3: Plain Language Writing and Editing
Registration open. $250.00 CAD Goals After completing this course you will be able to:
Outline Module 1: Planning for Clarity Module 2: Plain Language Writing Module 3: Plain Language Editing Module 4: Questions Module 5: Assignment Facilitator Kate Harrison Whiteside , Key Advice and PlainLanguageAcademy.com. kate@plainlanguageacademy.com |
The Plain Language Academies won the 2021 PLAIN Cheryl Stephens Award for Innovation for ground-breaking contribution to the field of plain language.
In 2022, Kate was granted a life-time membership to PLAIN, which she co-founded. In 2023, Academy students will choose to study in English, Spanish, and French. Coaching and consulting options. Just ask.
Would your prefer to be coached rather than go through a course online? Or, would you like to add some coaching to the course you are taking? Perhaps you could used some consulting on a project. Please get in touch with us through Kate at PlainLanguageAcademy dot com. The Plain Language Academy Team. |
Advanced Course Categories and Classes
All Advanced courses include one live session with your instructor.
Legal and Professional
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A11: Putting Clients First in Legal Writing
Best customer-service practice Open. Choose your date and register $275.00.CAD Goals A course for lawyers and paralegals: changing attitudes, writing process and writing style. Professionals in legal services must meet the needs of clients while maintaining competency in a common body of skills forming the fundamental elements of competent representation. This course provides a self-paced opportunity to explore the interpersonal and communication skills needed for better client management. Course Materials
Facilitator Cheryl Stephens, Cheryl Stephens.com Recommended follow-up course: A2 Editing for Plainer Legal Writing A9: Editing for Plainer Technical Writing
For people who prepare technical information for non-technical readers Register now. Starts Mar 13 $275.00.CAD Goals This six-week course is for anyone who prepare technical information for non-technical readers. You might write:
This course gives a certificate of achievement after your assignments are completed and marked. Facilitator Nicole Watkins Campbell, Watkins Campbell Communications. |
A2: Editing for Plainer Legal Writing
for writers with no legal training Register now. Mar 6. $275.00.CAD Goals This six-week course is for anyone who has to edit legal materials to be clear and user-friendly, whether or not you have a legal background. Outline You will learn:
Facilitator Nicole Watkins Campbell, Watkins Campbell Communications. A3: Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy
Register now on Academy Educlaro in English and Spanish. Feb 27 $275.00 USD Email romina@languagecompass.com for details. Successful completion means a Certificate and credit towards the five course Letter of Achievement from the Plain Language Academy. Goals In this course, we will explore the intersection between health literacy and plain language to promote successful health communication. Health literacy is defined as the ability to find, understand, and process information to make healthcare decisions. Plain language has a vital role to play in fostering access, understanding, and usability of health information. Outline 1. Health Literacy as a Complex Construct 2. Plain Language for Health Communication 3. Writing Strategies for Clarity 4. Live Recap and Final Project Self-study supported by group discussions, live video session and instructor feedback on submissions. Facilitator Romina Marazzato Sparano, Language Compass, USA |
Strategy and Planning
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A5: Implementing Plain Language as a Strategic Priority
Next course in April 3, 2023. $275.00 CAD Email your interest to getintouch@plainlanguageacademy.com. Goals The focus of Plain Language actions is often on specific documents or pieces of communication. Implementing Plain Language in a systematic manner in an organization is, however, a different challenge for executives, compliance officers, communication managers or customer relations. This course will empower you to make your organization truly customer- or citizen-centred. Outline Module 1: A framework for implementing Plain Language as a strategic priority Module 2: Getting leadership buy-in for Plain Language Module 3: Developing a business plan for Plain Language Module 4: Establishing a Plain Language process Module 5: Creating sustainable excitement for Plain Language Module 6: Monitoring process and demonstrating return on investment Facilitators Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green, Plain Language Institute, South Africa Note: Course is 6-8 weeks long If you have any questions, email us at sarah@plain-language.co.za or nadja@plain-language.co.za |
A8: Plain Language Project Leadership
April 16 Register now. $275.00 CAD GOALS Plain Language Project Leadership encompasses the whole plain language process, focusing on a project client document. This course lets you to practice leading a complete a project with guidance, feedback, and support. You will develop a project plan, content, and a report. Benefits
Facilitator Kate Harrison Whiteside, Key Advice and PlainLanguageAcademy.com |
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A6: Focus on Feedback
Register now Feb 13 $275.00 CAD Goals After completing this course, you will:
Outline Module 1: The role testing plays Module 2: How to plan for testing Module 3: Choosing a testing method Module 4: Questions Module 5: Assignment Facilitator Kate Harrison Whiteside, Key Advice and PlainLanguageAcademy.com kate@plainlanguageacademy.com |
A4: Science Supports Plain Language
Open. Choose your date and Register $275.00.CAD. Keep it simple: the science behind plain language, and why you should use it Goals Research shows the less work audiences need to put into reading, the more they will find sources credible, and the better they will connect with the messages. You will learn the most up-to-date techniques, drawn from neuroscience, linguistics, and cognitive psychology. We'll explore how to make the reader's work easier and fluent. You will be introduced to best practices in:
Facilitator Cheryl Stephens, Cheryl Stephens.com |
Online Content
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A1: Creating Clear E-content
Register now. Open registration. $275.00.CAD Goals Online content, whether for websites, social media or electronic communications (emails, texts) is now part of our daily communications. We need to adapt our style of writing to these platforms. Plain language puts readers first and online readers have specific characteristics. Knowing how to write clear, concise, effective online content for readers and platforms will help you connect. Integrating plain language practices into your online content development is important to succeed. Outline 1. Why we need clear e-content. 2. Planning online content 3. Building audience awareness 4. Writing online conversations 5. Content and visual design 6. Testing and evaluating Assignment Facilitator Kate Harrison Whiteside, Key Advice and PlainLanguageAcademy.com. kate@plainlanguageacademy.com |
A7: Clear Digital Design
Register now. Course starts Feb 20, 2023 $275.00.CAD Goals Communication is in plain language when language, structure, and design work in harmony to help the reader find what they need, understand it, and use it. And these days, much of our communication takes place online. This course will help plain language practitioners, editors and members of design teams broaden their understanding of the design challenges of the online environment and how to overcome them by applying design thinking. You’ll gain the tools you need to not only work on the text of plain language communication, but critically analyze and give advice on digital design, and work with web designers to ensure that users get the best digital experience. Outline Once you have completed it, you will be able to:
Facilitators Annie Burger and Liezl van Zyl, HeyPlainJane.com |
New Academies. New language options.
Study in French. Academie Clair et Simple is offering courses in 2023.
Study in Spanish. Academy, Educlaro, is now live. Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy is available in Spanish and English.
Study in French. Academie Clair et Simple is offering courses in 2023.
Study in Spanish. Academy, Educlaro, is now live. Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy is available in Spanish and English.
Course Policy, Registration Cancellation or Withdrawal
We know circumstances change. If you register and pay for a course, you can withdraw prior to the start of course for an 80% rebate.
If you withdraw in the first 5 days of the course, you receive an 80% refund. After one week, we will credit your fees to the same course in the future or another course of equal fees. Courses are generally available for 8 weeks. After that, unless special permission has been granted, you will be removed from the course. If you wish to complete it at a future date, you will have to pay again.
We know circumstances change. If you register and pay for a course, you can withdraw prior to the start of course for an 80% rebate.
If you withdraw in the first 5 days of the course, you receive an 80% refund. After one week, we will credit your fees to the same course in the future or another course of equal fees. Courses are generally available for 8 weeks. After that, unless special permission has been granted, you will be removed from the course. If you wish to complete it at a future date, you will have to pay again.
