Launch Point - Plain English and Writing for a Living Courses

Launch Point brings together an expert team of trainers with many years experience in helping business people and other professionals to develop their plain English skills. We also offer a range of courses in our Writing for a Living series, each developed by experts in the field.

We offer a range of distance learning courses that can help you develop your writing skills:

if you are looking for an introductory course that will help you to develop core English skills;

if you want to learn how to produce clear, accessible business or legal documents, websites or technical guides;

if you would like to develop advanced technical writing skills;

if you would like to earn a living from your writing or perhaps an extra part-time income.

Why is plain English important?

If you don't communicate clearly, your business or organisation will lose customers.
In addition, your staff may waste valuable time resolving misunderstandings and explaining what your letters and e-mails really mean.
In your work life, you may lose work opportunities to other people who can express themselves with more clarity.
In everyday life, you might find it more difficult to make yourself understood and may sometimes make embarrassing errors.

It has been estimated that poor customer service costs UK companies around Ł14 billion a year. In one well-known example, the Royal Mail saved Ł500,000 in nine months by rewriting just one form in plain English. Similarly, when US manufacturer Allen-Bradley produced a new computer manual in plain English, calls to their support centre fell from more than fifty a day to only two or three a month.

How our courses work.

Your course material is presented in an attractive A4 folder and sent out through the post so you can work through your course at your own pace. You are assigned a tutor who will work with you throughout the course. You can contact your tutor at any time if you have any questions or problems, or if there is anything you would like to discuss. He or she can provide advice on your general writing style as well as on specific documents.

Launch Point is registered as a training provider with the Learning Skills Council (UK PRN - 10022921). We are also listed as a provider with Learndirect.

To find out more click on your chosen course below:

Everyday English - for beginners who would like to improve their basic English skills.

The Plain English Course - if your business or organisation would like to produce clearer, more accessible e-mails, letters, reports, and manuals, this is the course for you.

Writing for the Web - This course explores the specialised approach required to write effectively for online readers. It includes advice on writing web pages, blogs and online guides.

Technical Writing - Develop advanced technical writing and document design skills that will allow you to produce professional manuals, guides and technical reports.