Los Angeles County Learning Academy

Enrollment Currently Closed

The Academy offers skill-building programs to all County employees as tools to aid in developing effective communications. These college level programs are taught by California State University , Dominguez Hills instructors.

Successful Communications at Work

This is a business writing program that has been customized for the County and incorporates assignments that are relevant to the workplace. It has been designed for those employees with existing basic writing proficiency as well as those who have completed the Academy’s fundamental writing courses and wish to advance their writing skills.

The certificate of completion program consists of three five-week modules. Classes meet one day per week for three hours. Class format takes a problem solving approach to business writing and combines lecture and discussion, workshops, collaborative tasks and practice sessions.

Essential Tools

In this module students learn to determine audience, purpose and objectives for business communications; how to follow conventional business formats to write memos, letters and emails; how to avoid common grammar errors; and, how to construct effective sentences using proper punctuation.

The Language of Business

This module covers appropriate word choice and tone in business communications, eliminating corpspeak and constructing effective sentences using modifiers.

Effective Messages

In this final module, students will learn how to plan, write and deliver a presentation; how to work collaboratively; and, how to employ effective strategies for various workplace situations.


	Enrollment Currently Closed The Academy offers skill-building programs to all County employees as tools to aid in developing effective communications. These college level programs are taught by California State University , Dominguez Hills instructors. *Successful Communications at Work* This is a business writing program that has been customized for the County and incorporates assignments that are relevant to the workplace. It has been designed for those employees with existing basic writing proficiency as well as those who have completed the Academy’s fundamental writing courses and wish to advance their writing skills. The certificate of completion program consists of three five-week modules. Classes meet one day per week for three hours. Class format takes a problem solving approach to business writing and combines lecture and discussion, workshops, collaborative tasks and practice sessions. *Essential Tools* In this module students learn to determine audience, purpose and objectives for business communications; how to follow conventional business formats to write memos, letters and emails; how to avoid common grammar errors; and, how to construct effective sentences using proper punctuation. *The Language of Business* This module covers appropriate word choice and tone in business communications, eliminating corpspeak and constructing effective sentences using modifiers. Effective Messages In this final module, students will learn how to plan, write and deliver a presentation; how to work collaboratively; and, how to employ effective strategies for various workplace situations.

	*Advanced Writing Workshops* We currently offer four intensive workshops, each focused on a specific area of business communication. These workshops are structured as elective topics that stand on their own, so you may choose the workshops that best address your needs. In order to participate in these workshops, you must first complete the Successful Communications at Work program or receive a qualifying score on the placement test. Each 15-hour workshop meets for five weeks in a three-hour format. Please click on the link for the course application. *Mastering Report Writing Situations* This workshop will examine the structure and content of informal and formal reports typically written by supervisors and managers in the public sector. Topics include strategies for assessing audiences; for planning, organizing and revising; and for conducting research. Typical reports for the managerial workplace include progress, periodic, analytical, feasibility, investigative, trip and trouble reports. The workshop will also cover creating abstracts and executive summaries. Written assignments and products will be tailored to participants’ work activities. Oral Presentations for the Workplace A ‘hands on’ approach will be used to examine occasions for professional speaking common to your work environment, ranging from brief reports at workplace meetings to multifaceted oral presentations for outside audiences involving visual materials. Weekly exercises will emphasize focusing the message and purpose for different audiences. Techniques for clear articulation / pronunciation and participating in effective collaborative presentations will be covered. *Listening and Communicating as a Professional* Discussion and skill development exercises focus on forms of verbal and nonverbal communication essential for use in the context of the corporate culture and international audiences. Real-life work scenarios and examples are used. Weekly exercises include modeling listening skills, interviewing skills, assertiveness and positive non-verbal cuing. Communicating with difficult people and situations is discussed and practiced. Participants will develop their own skill lists and track development of their styles. *Critical Analysis and Evaluation in Business Writing* The goals of this course are to improve critical thinking and evaluation skills and produce effective, informative and persuasive communication. A variety of business communications including email messages will be analyzed for purpose, structure, logic and appropriate tone. Content materials are appropriate for supervisors and managers. Lecture, discussion and workshops will be utilized. These programs are intended to be a shared commitment, partially on County time and partially personal time; however, management approval will be required to attend these programs. In addition to class time, you will be assigned reading and homework assignments to be completed on your own time. The Academy pays for your enrollment, books, materials, and parking. This program is open to all County employees who want to develop their writing skills and are able to commit the time and energy to these college-level courses. When you submit your application, we will schedule you for a placement test which consists of an essay and short grammar test. We will fill each class by randomly selecting qualified applicants. (For those individuals not immediately qualified, prerequisite courses will be recommended.)

		Norma Gonzales: ngonzales@hr.lacounty.gov