Self-taught typists come in many forms. Some can touch type at amazing speeds, except when it comes to those pesky symbol keys. Others can type a reasonable number of keystrokes per minute, but have a lot of typos. And some are the true hunt-and-peck variety.
No matter where your skills are at, private tutors can help you learn quickly. Online typing tutors or tutorial software can help you no matter whether you need write those reports faster, or just instant message with more friends at once.
There are two major kinds of typing tutors. You can take a class at your school or a local adult-education center and learn in a group setting. Or there are a number of software programs available for purchase or download. Some people prefer to work with a teacher because they like personal feedback. Even classes are likely to use typing software as part of their coursework. If you're the kind of person who finds it hard to study alone, you can benefit from taking a structured class that will make sure you practice every week. If you enjoy self-study however, then you may want to consider cutting out the middleman and using the tutoring software yourself at home.
There are many different brands of software typing tutors available. Some of the more popular, like the classic Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, are available in stores. There are others you can download from the internet. The software works by first showing the correct position for sitting and holding your hands at the keyboard. They then progress, lesson-by-lesson, into the different keys, starting at the "home row" and progressing to numbers and symbols.
Each lesson comes with drills to practice the skills you're learning, and usually a final test you must pass before you can progress to the next level. The drills sometimes include games.
The advantage of software is its ability to record every mistake and pinpoint the exact keys or letter combinations you're having trouble with. This kind of feedback helps you progress the fastest, so look for this feature when you're choosing which program to buy.
If you're not ready to buy the software, then check your local library. Many libraries have typing tutors installed onto certain computers. Call the library or check their website to see if this is available. If not, the librarian may be able to direct you to another library that does offer it. This is a great way to improve your skills for free. The downside of such tutoring services is that you may not be able to use the computer whenever you want, and you may not be able to print out any reports on your progress to take home with you.
Computers have become such a part of our every day lives that being a good typist is a necessary skill. It's not just for word processing any more. Computer tutors can help you save time at work, giving you more free time. With the reasonable cost, and even free typing tutors available, there's no reason you can't become a master touch typer, or even five-finger typer too.
