How to Write Accessible English for a Global Audience

Do speakers of English as a foreign language struggle to understand the things you write? Or do you need some tips to help you improve the accessibility of your services, or sell products to new customers who are not native English speakers?

In this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn and practice a range of simple strategies which will transform the way you write.

Why it isn't easy to write for a global audience

It requires skill to simplify your text without-

dumbing down your message
omitting information.

Other techniques for simplifying the written word are not suitable for adults who grew up abroad-

‘Easy Read’ text can seem overly simple for readers without a learning disability.
Writing in ‘Plain English’ can be colloquial and idiomatic.

So what is the alternative?

It is possible to preserve the complex nature of your subject matter while adopting a style which is easier to read.

At English Unlocked we help our clients to ‘unlock’ their English so that they can be understood easily by people who didn’t grow up with English as their mother tongue. Our director, Shelley Purchon, taught English to adults from around the world for 20 years before founding the company. She learnt how to present complex information simply, and in this workshop you too will learn how.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is for fluent and confident writers of English – your fluency and confidence can interfere with your ability to write for readers who are coming to English from another language. By the end of this course you’ll be able to see your written content through fresh eyes and rewrite it with English learners in mind.

Some things you'll learn

How it feels to try and read something in a foreign language (try it yourself)
The difference it makes if you add images
Where to find images which represent a global audience.
How to see the subject from your reader’s point of view (so that you can spot the difficult things that need explaining)
How to grab your reader’s attention (in socal media posts and adverts)
How to encourage your audience to keep reading (for complex or lengthy texts)
How to spot and restructure sentences of more than one clause
A simple hack for making jargon easier to decode
Why simplifying using colloquial terms is unhelpful (and what to do instead)

A chance to practice using these strategies is included in the workshop. You’ll be able to practise using either a text provided by us or a written communication from your workplace.

"I have been fortunate to do two training sessions with Shelley and they were both great! Full of useful and practical ideas to help me in my work with a whole range of people from all over the work. Would thoroughly recommend!"

Andrew Scott

What are the benefits of learning to write this way?

You have global reach.
Complexity is retained.
Your message is clearer for people who struggle with reading but does not alienate competent readers.
Your text becomes more engaging.
Machine translation becomes more accurate.
Translation is done more efficiently by humans if the source text is clear.

How to book

Contact us now to request a price list and further information. In your email, let us know whether it is for a group or just one person – we’ll reply as soon as we can.

How to Support Colleagues whose First Language isn't English

What are the hidden struggles of colleagues who work in their second language, and how can you help?

How to spot hidden talent in candidates from outside the UK

Are you missing out on diverse talent? If you recruit differently, candidates who speak English as a Foreign Language can really shine.