Plain Language Academy is an online learning program designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to create clear communication.

Which courses can I choose?

The Plain Language Academy online program is built around Core and Advanced courses. Successfully complete any course and receive a Certificate. Complete the first three plus any three other courses and receive our Letter of Achievement. Choose any course/s you wish.

How do I register?
​Course titles are links to online registration.
Course fees can be paid via PayPal or Stripe. 

​Core Courses
1. Plain Language Basics–registration open

2. Audience Awareness–registration open

3. Plain Language Writing and Editing— registration open

4. Clear Design Practices – with Flora Gordon. Sept 14

5. Testing and Evaluating–registration open

6. Plain Language Project–registration open

Request coaching and consulting options.  Flexible starting dates.Details in Our Courses.
 
Bundled: Course 1-5 offer
$960 (save $165.00). Register here.

Advanced Courses
includes live video session
Sept 28: A 1--Creating Clear E-content
with Kate Harrison Whiteside

Sept 21: A 2--Editing for Plainer Legal Writing 
with Nicole Watkins Campbell.

Sept 28: A 3--Plain Language 2.0 and Health Literacy:
with Romina Marazzato Sparano,
Language Compass USD

Registration opening  soon
Oct 4: A 4—Science Supports Plain Language  
with Cheryl Stephens
​
 TBA Case Study: Document Assessment and Report, with Cheryl Stephens
A Program Built on Passion
​
We are passionate about giving people access to our decades of plain language experience. We designed the Academy to reflect these plain language principles:
  • easy to understand
  • simple to access, and
  • clear to use.
Our team of instructors has experience in:
  • plain language services
  • developing training, and
  • delivering courses online.
You will learn and get feedback through:
  • self-study 
  • forum shares, discussions
  • assignments marked by your facilitator.
We follow and help you throughout.

Once you select your courses,  we recommend four-six weeks per course.  Courses are in English.

Why is the Academy for me?

If you create any of the following information, plain language skills will help you:
  • marketing and promotions
  • correspondence and client services
  • proposals and reports
  • technical and academic
  • instructions and advice
  • training and product presentations
  • academic, legal, government, academic

Plain language knows no boundaries.

​Course Completion Recognition
​
All courses are marked on Pass, Incomplete or Fail. When you successfully complete each course you receive a Certificate. A Letter of Achievement is issued if you successfully complete the first three core courses (C1 - C3) plus any three other courses offered.
​
​ * But it is not a guarantee of skill levels or competence in English.
Course requirements

Time

Courses are designed to be completed in four to six weeks. Unless special permission is granted, after two months from the start date you will be removed from the course and required to re-register to start at a later date.

Fees
​
​All courses must be paid for and successfully completed to receive a certificate. Payments are made via PayPal or Stipe. Fees $225 - $300 CAD. and $250-300 USD. 

Refunds (80%) are made within the first five days of registration only . Otherwise, the fee can be transferred to another course, or you can start the course over at another time.
Other ways to learn
​
Sign up for our enewsletter.

Watch our PLAinView videos on the Plain Language Academy YouTube channel.

​Read our Blog posts. 

​Go to Our Courses for registration links.


Special thanks to ​Cheryl Stephens for her content contributions to the  Academy core courses.
"I appreciated the wealth of materials that came with this course.  Everything was so interesting and intellectually stimulating.  Most of all, thank you for all your encouragement, engagement with students, and constructive feedback. That was the best part of the course for me." KM