Plain Language Academies dot Org

​Take a course from the award-winning Plain Language Academies 
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The Plain Language Academy Team

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

Register now at plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com. Set up account. Choose course. Pay fee.

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.
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• Practice empathy, compassion, and respect for clients and readers.

Winner of the 2021 PLAIN Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award

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.

From  2023, Academy students will choose to study in English, Spanish, and French.
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We also offer consulting, coaching and group rates.

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Contact Us

Please get in touch by emailing enquiries to:

[email protected]

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.

Kate and Team

​English Academy

Kate Harrison Whiteside

 Meet Kate Harrison Whiteside
​ Academies director and facilitator. 
 Core courses and Advanced courses,   
 including Creating Clear E-content.
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​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 Academies.

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Nicole Watkins Campbell

​Meet Nicole Watkins Campbell
Advanced Courses: Connecting with Citizens and other Stakeholders, Editing for Plainer Legal Writing
and Editing for Plainer Technical Writing

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​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.

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Meet Sarah and Nadja from the Plain Language Institute,
​South Africa

Advanced Course: Implementing Plain Language as a
Strategic Priority

Sarah Slabbert

Nadja Green

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.

Sarah and Nadja, the Plain Language Institute, South Africa, lead this as a team, sharing their extensive experience.

Français/French Academy

Chantale Audet and Amélie Bourret

​Meet Chantale Audet et 
​Amélie Bourret , Autremetndit

​​Académie du langage clair et simple
​Writing Clearly to be Understood on First Reading.

​Chantale and Amélie are busy getting ready for the launch of their first course on language clair et simple. Their first webinar during International Plain Language Day celebrations was a great success. 
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Nous sommes deux anthropologues, spécialistes des méthodes qualitatives et du langage clair et simple. Nous comptons plusieurs années de travail en réécriture et en design d’information, dont 10 ans à la barre du guide Mieux vivre avec notre enfant de la grossesse à deux ans.