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Plain Language Academy and
​Plain Language Institute, 
South Africa, team up!

New course tackles plain language strategic planning

Course starts September 6, 2021.  Enrolment limited. Register here.
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Sarah Slabbert
Picture
Nadja Green
Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green of the Plain Language Institute, South Africa, are bringing their plain language strategic expertise to the Academies.Their Advanced course, Implementing Plain Language as a Strategic Priority, starts September 6, 2021. Registration is open now.

"We are passionate about clear communication, research and exceptional quality. We also like to have lots of fun and look forward to meeting you in the course," said Sarah Slabbert. 

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. 

 You will learn key strategic advantages, such as how to:
  • get executive buy-in
  • establish Plain Language as a strategic priority
  • run a Plain Language awareness campaign
  • do a communication audit
  • design a governance structure and implementation plan
  • involve customers or citizens in the Plain Language process
  • leverage quick wins
  • decide on the role of training and service providers
  • develop a Plain Language maturity model to monitor progress, and
  • demonstrate return on investment.
Each module combines theoretical and practical work. The course has one assignment with different sections that run across all six modules. The assignment focuses on research and applied knowledge. Your assignment will equip you with a portfolio of planning documents that you will need to make Plain Language a strategic priority in your organization. 
The course is online and will run for 8-12 weeks. Once you have completed the course and the assignments to the satisfaction of the instructors, you will receive a certificate of completion. 

Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green of the Plain Language Institute will be the course instructors. 
The course starts on 1 March 2021. Click here to buy the course and get registered. The cost is $250 (Canadian dollars). This is just below R3000, depending on the exchange rate.  If you have any question or issues to get registered, email Nadja at nadja@plain-language.co.za. 
We will keep you updated here.

​Sarah and Nadja
Welcome to PLI Creating Clear E-content

Online e-content, whether for websites, social media or electronic communications (emails, texts), is now part of our daily communications. We need to adapt our writing style to these platforms and their users. 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 effectively. Integrating plain language practices into your online content development is important to succeed. It's all about online conversations.

This is a massive topic and a fast moving one. In this course the focus in on the process, developing skills in planning, writing, editing and testing,  and building confidence to take the time to create online conversations that connect.

Who is this course for?
If you have an interest in plain language, connecting with clients and are creating online content, this course will help you build a base of skills, knowledge and confidence to produce clear content.

Goals
  • increase your clear online content creation skills
  • enhance your knowledge of plain language practices online
  • build commitment to interacting with audiences for feedback
Experience shows how important it is to develop, design and deliver online information that is:
  • easy to understand
  • easy to navigate 
  • easy to apply.
You will learn a variety of ways to:
  • bridge the gap between print and online writing
  • develop online style guide criteria 
  • test and evaluate with users.

Resources
These government digital guides are helpful.
  • Canadian Government: www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca
  • US Government: plainlanguage.gov
  • UK Government: plain English content
  • Australia: plain language content guide
This course uses a combination of information, discussions and assignments to ensure you get a range of learning experiences. Discussion questions form an important part of inter-participant learning. These will help you apply the theories behind clear content development. Assignments need to be submitted and successfully completed to receive the Certificate of Completion. 
 
Course Outline
1. Why we need clear e-content.
1.1 What is the key difference between print and online?
2. Planning online content
2.1 Follow a style guide
3. Building audience awareness
3.1 Creating your audience persona
4. Writing online conversations
4.1 Editing online content
5. Content and visual design
5.1 Basic design guidelines
6. Testing and evaluating
Assignment


I look forward to working and learning with you. Feel free to contact me with your ideas, questions and feedback. Our other Plain Language Academy courses may also be of interest to you.
​
Kate Harrison Whiteside
kate@plainlanguageacademy.com
Director and Facilitator

Join the Academy! We look forward to working with you.

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  • Home
  • Connect
  • Courses
  • Students
  • Academies
    • Académie du langage clair et simple
    • Academia de Lenguaje Claro
    • Plain Language Institute South Africa
  • About Us
  • Blogs and Vids
    • Videos