News
Follow what's happening with the Academies
and Associates around the globe.
What's new this fall
September 2024
I love autumn. Changing landscapes. Changing weather. Changing seasons. With all this comes motivation to catch up on what is going on around you. What is happening in plain language? The answer: a lot. The new ISO Plain Language Standard is spreading its reach. AI is moving quickly into all our technology, organizations, and communications. Organizations, particularly government related, are being challenged to meet public demands for transparency. We want to help you. We have courses, videos, and an AI Summit to help you strengthen skills to connect with clients.
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Get help integrating the new ISO Plain Language Standard
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Online course starts September 26 - December 5, 2024. With Academy instructors Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green from ​Plain Language Institute. Certificate for successful completion. Limited enrolment. Register now.
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Get help writing and editing using Plain Language Standard
For writers, editors, content creators (coming this fall)
Apply plain language standard guidelines for stronger client connections. Instructors Romina Marazzato Sparano and Kate Harrison Whiteside lead this online course. We'll send you registration details when available.
Interested? Email your contact details to getintouch@plainlanguageacademy.com.
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New! AI in Writing Virtual Summit: Plain Language Edition
Free, invigorating, actionable. Virtual. Nov 14-16.
"Embrace AI for life-changing automations, creativity, and insights. Amazing speakers will share tips, tools, and strategies," says host Romina Marazzato Sparano, PLAINLii, PLA, educlaro.
An amazing lineup of speakers will share tips, tools, and strategies to help you establish yourself as an indispensable resource for your clients, teams, and readers.
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Interested? Go to aiinwriting.com/ to save a seat.
Calling all public communicators
Connecting with Citizens and other Stakeholders
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Enhance your public communication skills with Nicole Watkins Campbell, starting September 19. Sharing years for experience as an employee and a consultant, Nicole with help energize and focus your communication to really connect using plain language. Find out more on or by watching our PLAinView Youtube interview.
Register now at PlainLanguageAcademy.moodlecloud.com
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Coming soon
Getting Started with Accessibility​
Let’s stay connected.
Thanks, Kate
Kate Harrison Whiteside
Plain Language Academies
Director and Instructor
1-250-521-0454
ISO Supporters
Spring energy in motion
May 29, 2024
The team is full of energy and our students will benefit. New instructors, new topics, new events are coming.
ISO: The new Plain Language Standard (ISO) is leading our profession into a era of agreed upon guidelines for plain language writing, editing and design. Based on creating content the readers want, we design it for easy navigation, in clear words, assisting in usability. The standard is global, used in many languages and benefits individuals, organizations and clients. It's a win-win.
Check our Courses page for upcoming options.
Government Communicators
Our team has first-hand experience in the challenges government communicators face. They have pooled their knowledge, skills and experience to create a new course aimed at helping you connect better with clients.
The course Connecting with Clients and Stakeholders, lead my Nicole Watkins Campbell, begins in September. Reserve your place now.
New associations, courses on accessibility and multi-cultural audiences, and a special Academies' AI Summit are in the works. Check back here or sign up for our newsletter.
We believe in choices
Feb 2024
You can choose from plain language basics, profession-specific, and organization-focused courses to put energy into your projects, whether small or large. With the focus on the new plain language standard (ISO), audiences and accessibility, and AI technologies, it is an exciting time to be learning and applying clear communications to your writing, for your audiences, and in your organizations.
Check out our upcoming courses on plainlanguageacademies.org.
PLA’s 2024 offerings include innovative courses, talented instructors,and helpful resources to enhance your skills and knowledge.
How to successfully integrate plain language into your organization
We know that having key decision-makers and leaders behind your plain language initiative will help it achieve goals and be successful. We have the course to help you map out your plan and get to your destination in great shape.
The Plain Language Institute’s Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green, South Africa, recently offered a well-attended free webinar about their successful course “Implementing Plain Language as a Strategic Priority”. Past students from around the globe shared stories of how the course helped them with initiatives.
Contact instructors Sarah or Nadja for details of next course.
Let’s work together to achieve accessibility
We are passionate about accessibility. Writers and designers must commit to audience accessibility to meet plain language guidelines. Communication is clear when language, structure, and design work in harmony to help the reader easily find what they need, understand it, and use it.
Our Clear Digital Design course, with Annie and Liezl from PlaneJane.com, is a brilliant way to put the pieces of the puzzle together. You do not have to be a designer, just keen to enhance your skills in creating clear online content that really connects.
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Contact instructors Annie and Liezl about registering.
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AI is here! Are you ready?
PLA hosts AI in Plain Language Summit
Romina Marazzato Sparano is leading our autumn AI in Plain Language Summit. Following on from her successful presentation at the PLAIN 2023 conference in Argentina, Romina is taking it and us to the next level. Our team of experts and industry leaders will demonstrate AI innovations and applications for writers, translators, and the curious. More details coming soon. You’ll get access to resources, research and relevant info to help you keep up with this important development in communications.
Register your interest in being kept up-to-date or sponsoring the Summit by sending an email with Summit Info Please to getintouch@plainlanguageacademy.com.
Coming in 2024
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The ISO Plain Language Standard: how to make it work in organizations
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Getting Started with Accessibility​
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PLA AI Summit
Now Academies web site with links to the others. If you have questions, ideas, or just want to show support or interest, email getintouch@plainlanguageacademy.com.
Join us on Linkedin ca: .linkedin.com/company/plain-language-academy
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