Goal: Introduce free and open-access tools, platforms, and resources that can help users improve plain language skills, check the clarity of their writing, and access best practice guidance in multiple languages.
Plain language is a skill that improves with practice and the right tools. Fortunately, a growing number of free or open-access resources can help you write clearly, test your documents, and explore best practices. Below is a curated list of platforms, tools, and guides to support your learning journey:
Tools and editors
An AI-powered editor that analyses French texts for clarity, accessibility, and inclusion. Includes tips aligned with plain language principles and W3C guidelines.
A French-language analysis tool developed by Beta.gouv that evaluates readability using psycholinguistic indicators. Offers suggestions to improve clarity, sentence structure, and word choice.
A research-based tool that simplifies French texts using natural language processing. Developed for education and communication professionals.
A platform for testing and simplifying Polish texts. Includes readability scoring and automatic rewriting suggestions. Widely used in public service, education, and business contexts.
Offers guides, writing tips, and downloadable checklists to support clear communication in Norwegian public administration.
Training and Support Platforms
Provides free plain English guides, editing services, training courses, and resources for public and community organisations in Ireland.
A collaborative EU initiative promoting plain writing in multilingual institutional contexts. Offers training resources and writing checklists for public servants.
A German network supporting Easy Language. Offers guidelines, training, certification services, and access to Leichte Sprache specialists.
Finnish Centre for Easy Language. Offers publications, training, and tools for writing in selkokieli (Easy Finnish), a simplified version of the language for readers with cognitive or linguistic challenges.
Belgian platform offering translation and training services in Facile à Lire et à Comprendre (FALC). Targeted at improving access for people with intellectual disabilities.
Reflection prompt
What kind of tool or resource would be most helpful to you right now: something to check your writing, learn more, or connect with others?
Try it
- Pick one tool from the list (e.g. Lisible, Jasnopis, U31, NALA…).
- Use it to check a short text you’ve written recently.
- What did you learn? Did the tool give suggestions you hadn’t thought of?