|
|
|
Options to meet needs
Take all the courses, a series, or just the ones that interest you. 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. See the calendar below for dates. |
Multi-lingual choices
Courses in:
Certificates and more
You receive...
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 kate@plainlanguageacademy.com. No time to study but still need help?
We offer coaching and consulting. Just ask kate@plainlanguageacademy.com. |
Core Courses
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 at one time. Advanced Courses Online Content and Digital Design
|
Core Courses
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.
|
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 |
|
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 |
New Academies.
New language options. New open registration. Study in French. Academie Clair et Simple is offering courses in 2023. 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 Categories and Courses
All Advanced courses include one live session with your instructor.
Legal
|
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 |
A2: Editing for Plainer Legal Writing
for writers with no legal training TBA. $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. |
Professional
|
A3: Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy
Register now on Academy Educlaro in English and Spanish. TBA $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 |
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 |
A9: Editing for Plainer Technical Writing
For people who prepare technical information for non-technical readers
TBA $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.
For people who prepare technical information for non-technical readers
TBA $275.00.CAD
Goals
This six-week course is for anyone who prepare technical information for non-technical readers.
You might write:
- correspondence to citizens about their water quality
- reports to elected officials about development projects
- user manuals for customers with new electronics
This course gives a certificate of achievement after your assignments are completed and marked.
Facilitator
Nicole Watkins Campbell, Watkins Campbell Communications.
Strategy and Planning
|
A5: Implementing Plain Language as a Strategic Priority
Full: Next date to be announced. $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
TBA 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 |
A6: Focus on Feedback
TBA $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
TBA $275.00 CAD
Goals
After completing this course, you will:
- understand the testing options available,
- develop a list of resources
- be able to make informed decisions about which method you can manage, that best suits your project and resources.
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
Online Content and Design
|
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. June 1 $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 |
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.