Shorthand .... what course to take?

Doodles

Hi
I would like to ask those who are trained in shorthand your advice as to what is the best course please?

I'm a PA and the only secretarial skill I don't have is shorthand, but I'd like to learn.

Having a quick glance on the internet, there seems to be several, pitmans 2000, teeline, speedhand etc etc so I'm not sure if some are better than others, easier or quicker to learn, or to retain in your mind?

Any experiences or advice gratefully received please!
Thanks

alyth

I'm a PA but don't do shorthand, but work with people who do! I'm not able to offer any advice apart from that between Pitman and teeline, one is easier to pick up than the other from my colleagues! I have to say though, the woman I work with is 57, and has obviously been doing shorthand for years, and it is amazing to watch her taking messages, letters, etc. I'm working for a very high profile guy at the moment (I temp) and he said that there's a massive skills gap between the ages of 35 and 45 in that those above 45 can usually do shorthand (if they're a PA) and sometimes those below 35 can. If you've got the time and patience I would say go for it, I wish I'd done it, I'm sure I would be much more marketable with it than without.

leona71

I would go for Pitman http://www.pitman-training.com

You can do this online now, something like 40 hours training at your leisure.

Leona

Jennie_2

I think I learned Pitman New Era.... when I was 16... I am now 43 (official age 29)

It has been an invaluable tool and even though I am no longer a secretary I use it in all sorts of situations. I can even think and dream in shorthand.

I don't know about now but Pitman was always considered the best and seemed to have more "clout" when applying for jobs.

l/l/ = territory (TRTR)!

Clear as mud, right?:p

msmicawber

Hi Doodles,

I'd recommend Pitman's 2000, having used it myself as a PA (and after 20 years, I can still remember most of it). TLine tends to be used more by journalists, whereas Pitman's tends to be used more by secretaries/PAs.

You can get to much higher speeds with Pitman and it's a lot easier to transcribe quickly as it uses different positions on the line to denote the vowels. There are also symbols for diphthongs and, if necessary, you can spell out e.g. names without having to go back to longhand. As a PA you'll not only need to be able to take shorthand at normal speaking speed, but be able to transcribe it accurately and fast (and quite often read it back to whoever is dictating if they get interrupted or want to be reminded).

My understanding is that TLine is designed more for note taking where there are only short periods where you might want to take verbatim notes, whereas with Pitman's you can take everything down verbatim and very quickly.

It's good fun to learn as well. Very best of luck.

Doodles

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice. Seems like Pitmans is the favourite here and I like the idea of online learning so I'll have a look at their website.

Huge thanks everyone!

Gem_

I am really interested in this - does anyone know how much it costs?

LittleVoice

Remember that in the work situation you are writing shorthand by hearing words spoken.

I haven't investigated online learning of shorthand but I would make sure that it includes audio input - not just yourself saying the words out loud to yourself as you write. You could, however, tape record material and play it back. It's even better to get someone else to record things for you.

Pitman New Era (mentioned in one of the early posts) was, I seem to recall, published in 1921. Pitman 2000 was published in about 1980 and is a little simpler than New Era. You can get higher speeds with New Era but 2000 is probably good enough for most general office purposes and there is a "conversion" course to New Era if you really need it later on.