Team work is great work. Meet the team.

After years of seeing people struggling to read information, understand content and create clear messages for their audiences, we created the PlainLanguageAcademy.com to help. We also designed it on plain language principles: easy to understand, efficient to navigate and effective to turn into actions. We love how our students participate, interact and give us feedback. Join us for a great learning experience. Enhance existing skills, gain new ones, withe with a fresh, client-centred approach. Enjoy the success.
Our mission

We strive to keep our courses simple and satisfying.
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We endorse these practices:
  • Put the reader first to strengthen connections.
  • Clarify the purpose to ensure expectations are met.
  • Actively listen to audiences and stakeholders to gain deeper understanding of their needs.
  • Follow guidelines and practices supported by research and experience.
  • Practice empathy, compassion, and respect for clients and readers.
Contact us

Please get in touch by emailing enquiries to:

getintouch@plainlanguageacademy.com

If you want to connect with an instructor, please put their name in the subject line and they'll get back to you.

​Looking forward to connecting.
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Meet Kate Harrison Whiteside, Academy owner and facilitator
Core Courses and Creating Clear
​E-content
Plain language is the answer to connecting with others. It makes your communications stand out and it leads to client-services excellence. ‪I started out  using my journalism skills in government, business, and organizational communications. With my entrepreneurial experience came many new opportunities, like offering training, specializing in plain language, and developing online content. It has all come together in the Plain Language Academy.
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​Meet Romina
​Marazzato Sparano
Advanced Course Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy  
​Romina is a plain language writer, translator, and editor with over 20 years of experience in medical localization and health literacy. She provides language services, consulting, and training to professionals, organizations, and companies (including Fortune 500 corporations). Romina designed and launched the Master of Arts in Translation/Localization Management at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and is a leader and active member in professional associations, including PLAIN, ATA, AMWA, and SEA. She is working on language standards development at ASTM and ISO, and is a 2020 judge for the ClearMark Awards sponsored by the Center for Plain Language. 
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Meet Flora Gordon
Core Course 4: Clear Design 

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​I am professionally certified as a graphic designer (CGD) by the Graphic Designers of Canada association. My bachelor’s degree in Communication Design is from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and I have over ten years of professional experience as a designer. I am passionate about accessible visual communications and enjoy projects where I can work with other communications professionals. 
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Meet Cheryl Stephens, 
Content Developer and Science Supports Plain Language Facilitator








I came to plain language in 1989 when I was trying to rationalize and make consistent the template documents of a mid-sized law firm.

I could see then that plain language is a best practice for any communicator. Since then I have been sharing, practicing, and contributing to the development of plain language.
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Meet Nicole
Watson Campbell
Advanced Course:
Editing for Plainer
Legal Writing

Nicole is a plain language and editing consultant. She has helped organizations create clear public information on laws, including legal information for the public; and information about health, culture, the environment, and nature. She has spoken to law students and editors about plain language, and dreams of a cell phone contract anyone can understand on first reading.