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The award-winning
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New: PLA Live
Choose from live sessions or self-directed study with instructor support Our 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, editing, and design skills. Our Advanced courses are designed to meet the growing demand for specialized knowledge: legal, health, online content; science, technical, design, and strategic planning. Certificates are presented for successful course completion. Letter of Achievement is sent to you when six are completed successfully. We recommend the first three core courses and any three others. Three steps to your next course 1. Go to: PainLanguageAcademy.Moodlecloud.Com 2. Create your own Moodle account. 3. Choose the course/s you want and register. Fees: $275 - $360 CAD or USD* *Subject to change |
Core Courses
See details below. Course 1: Plain Language Basics Course 2: Audience Awareness Course 3: Plain Language Writing and Editing Special 15% discount refund when you sign up for all three. Advanced Courses Online Content and Digital Design
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Multi-lingual choices
Courses in:
Online supported learning
You go through the course online, self-directed, with instructor support, interaction and assignment feedback. Certificates and more
Certificates for each course successfully completed. Letter of Achievement for six successfully completed courses. Your time is important
Want to start a course on your time? Just ask [email protected]. No time to study but need help?
We offer coaching and consulting. Ask [email protected]. Registration links below with course details. |
PLA Core Courses
New package discount: The Core courses are required as part of your Letter of Achievement. Our Core Courses Plain Language Basics (C1),
Audience Awareness (C2) , and Plain Language Writing and Editing (C3) 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.
3. You will then receive your rebate.
Get Core Course details here.
Audience Awareness (C2) , and Plain Language Writing and Editing (C3) 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.
3. You will then receive your rebate.
Get Core Course details here.
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Plain Language Basics (C1)
Registration open. $275.00 CAD Goals You will learn: the core guidelines for plain language ideas on promoting it to others what the process involves skills to prepare you rof the next courses. 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. [email protected] |
Audience Awareness (C2)
Registration open. $275.00 CAD Goals You will gain skills in:
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. [email protected] |
Plain Language Writing and Editing (C3)
Registration open. $275.00 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. [email protected] |
New Academies. New language options. New open registration offers.
Study in French. Académie du langage clair et simple is offering courses in plain French communicaiton.
Study in Spanish. Academy, Educlaro. Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy is available in Spanish and English.
Open registration means you start your online studies when you are ready. Many of our courses offer this option.
Study in French. Académie du langage clair et simple is offering courses in plain French communicaiton.
Study in Spanish. Academy, Educlaro. Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy is available in Spanish and English.
Open registration means you start your online studies when you are ready. Many of our courses offer this option.
Advanced Courses
All Advanced courses include one live session with your instructor.
Professional
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Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy (A3)
Register now on Academy Educlaro in English and Spanish. $275.00 USD Email [email protected] 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 |
Editing for Plainer Technical Writing (A9)
For people who prepare technical information for non-technical readers Oct 7 $299.00.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. |
Connecting with Citizens and other Stakeholders (A 4)
For people who prepare government information for others - internal and external
Open registration from September 19, 2024 $299.00.CAD
Citizens’ trust in their governments is disappearing. It’s happening around the world for many different reasons. This course will help municipal, provincial, and federal workers improve their writing or editing for the public and other stakeholders.
Learning goals
· identify their purpose in writing
· understand their audiences’ motivations and needs
· use 10 writing tactics to make their writing more engaging
· test whether their documents are working for readers
Topics
- Good communication is good public service
- Know your readers and your purpose
- Organize for clarity and ease
- Motivate with style and language
- Check your work
Nicole Watkins Campbell, Watkins Campbell Communications.
Strategy and Planning
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Implementing Plain Language as a Strategic Priority (12-weeks) (A5)
March 10, 2025 $360.00 CAD Register now. Email your interest to [email protected]. 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 12 weeks long. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or [email protected] NEW Plain Language ISO Standard: How it makes your communication easier (A 11)
PLA Live: June 4, 11, 18 25, 2025 $340 CAD Register now. Weekly live sessions. Email [email protected]. The recent Plain Language International Standard gave us all a common definition and development guidelines. It put the focus on our audiences and how to plan, develop, design and test to ensure we really connect with them. It is one of the most important developments in our profession and we want to share it with you. Goals By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills to apply the standard’s four key guidelines to your plain language writing. You will get tools, information, assignments and feedback. Successful completion leads to a Plain Language Academy Certificate. Topics focus on the four plain language guidelines. Course outline We use four live sessions. In each, we share information, answer questions, and give you an assignment. Facilitators Kate Harrison Whiteside and Nicole Watkins Campbell Plain Language Academy |
ISO Plain Language Standard:
How to make it work in organizations (A12) Next offering September 2025 Email your interest or questions to us at [email protected]. In 2023, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the first international standard for Plain Language. The standard provides nearly universal Plain Language guidelines and techniques. In an organisational context, these guidelines and techniques can be translated into a content development process that delivers relevant, findable, understandable, and usable communication. This course will help you translate the principles and guidelines of the ISO Plain Language standard into a content development process tailored for your organisation. Facilitators Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green, Plain Language Institute, South Africa Note: If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or [email protected] LegalEditing for Plainer Legal Writing (A2)
For writers with no legal training Register now. Next course Oct 7, 2024 $299.00.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. |
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Focus on Feedback (A6)
Register anytime. $299.00 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, PlainLanguageAcademy.com [email protected] |
Plain Language Project Leadership (A8)
Register anytime. $299.00 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 |
Online Content and Design
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Creating Clear E-content (A1)
Register anytime . $299.00.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. Integrating plain language practices, including new ISO standard, 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. [email protected] |
Designing for Digital Accessibility (A7)
Fall 2025 $395 CAD /€260 Euros Goals Accessibility of digital documents and content ensures inclusive design for all. In today's digital age, accessibility is not just a legal requirement, it is a moral obligation. This course is aimed at helping you learn how to create digital content that is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or disability. Facilitator dr Izabela Mrochen, Poland, EU Email your interest in registering or questions to us at [email protected]. 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 90% 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. If you wait two weeks or more, no refund is available. 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. |