Do I need both PC Windows and Apple Mac versions?

Windows and MacOS are different operating systems and if you have both in the house, you will need to buy both versions just like any other software.

EnglishType Junior - Childrens Touch Typing Course

Q: What systems does Englishtype run on? Does it need to be online?

Englishtype is available for Windows PC and Apple Mac MacOS; it will not run on Chromebooks, tablets or iPads. Once installed, Englishtype is secure on your computer and your child will not have to go online again – so you can be sure your child is safe, there is no need to be on the internet.

Educational & Entertaining

Developed by an Educational Psychologist
Built by award winning game designers to make learning fun
Designed for the UK National Curriculum
Extra Literacy benefits whilst teaching typing
Unique colour coding boosts muscle memory learning
Multi-sensory design and Special Needs friendly
Early emphasis on accuracy only, later exclusive speed exercises
Specialists in teaching typing: 25+ years in schools and at home
Uses real words from Lesson 1, unlike other programs...

uses age relevant & useful vocabulary, particularly high frequency words
no nonsense words or random letter strings that are frustrating, confusing and damaging to literacy skills
Select from 4 levels of language difficulty

Touch typing for kids – an essential life skill

Used at home and in school by thousands of children, Englishtype Junior teaches typing for kids: the fun way to learn to type. Primary age is the ideal time to teach touchtyping for kids. We recommend Junior for teaching typing for kids up to 11 years old.

Englishtype uses unique colour coding to teach and improve your typing speed and accuracy. Learning key & finger relationships rapidly is the aim of any typing tutor. Englishtype’s exclusive design builds muscle memory quickly & efficiently For more information, please see our Learning to Type page.

Boost Literacy and Typing Skills By Learning to Touch Type

Unlike other software teaching touch for kids, Englishtype maximises additional literacy benefits at the same time as teaching typing with carefully chosen vocabulary. It’s great for all levels of ability: challenging the brightest whilst providing extra help for SEN children. The inclusive design and self directed learning mean children can work at the same time but at their own pace.

Special Needs friendly features including:

multi-sensory design
strong colour coding
visually simple & uncluttered presentation style
both spoken & written instructions
choice of background screen colours
highly structured content

Touch Typing Program Activities

Englishtype Junior teaches how to touch type for kids with a variety of different activities, keeping motivation high:

LESSONS – Main Lessons, Extra Practice and Numbers & Symbols
GAMES – fun and exciting to play but no onscreen keyboard tests learning
BOOSTER – exclusive exercises build muscle memory and boost speed
TYPE TESTS & CERTIFICATES – win Certificates: Bronze, Silver or Gold medal
SPELLING – special lessons: see, hear, read, type
AWARDS – Trophies, rosettes & stars are rewards for achievements
OUTFITS – have fun changing the look of Qwerty when you earn a new costume
DIARY – record practice days and collect new stickers every day

Different activities keep learning fun

Lessons

Typing lessons are the core of the program – teaching which fingers are which colour and do which letters helping to teach proper finger positions. Each Lesson level has 3 main sections, A, B and C: A sections are finger movements, B sections are words and C sections are phrases. Extra lessons D & E for additional practice, totals 5 sections per lesson. Bronze, silver & gold stars motivate progress. Key accuracy is shown at the end of every lesson, highlighting any keys that need a bit more work.

Games

There are 6 games. After each Lesson level, a game unlocks – games are fun but test if you’ve learned the letters – there is no onscreen keyboard to help. Lessons and early games focus on accuracy only; it’s important to be accurate or you will never be quick. Later games need accuracy and speed.

Booster

Speed is introduced almost half way through the program with Booster, a new activity designed especially to build muscle memory very efficiently. Repeating high frequency pairs & patterns of letters and words will begin to increase speed. Learning patterns rather than individual letters is an important step in muscle memory.

Spelling

There are also optional Spelling lessons for anyone who finds spelling tricky or wants extra practice. There are 5 different activities – all focus on relevant, high frequency words. The words are spoken, then disappear from the screen. Click to read & listen again if needed.

TypeTest & Certificates

Finally, there are two tests to check progress halfway through and at the end after lesson 12 for course completion. Getting a Gold medal on TypeTest2 means the muscle memory is working! View & print colourful certificates.

Schools and Teachers

Englishtype Junior can fit into the timetable in lots of different ways. In IT lessons, a typing club (breakfast, lunch or after school), as an intervention for SEN pupils, are just a few examples. Combining lessons in schools with the software at home for extra practice is a very effective way to teach and makes up for lack of timetable time (discounted home copies are available through school).

Englishtype Junior has a detailed Teacher Administration package for schools, including a Class Management function, certificates, & printing results (see Schools/Teachers page)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn to type?

If practice is done quite intensively (3 months) then about 20-25 hours of practice will get most children typing by touch. 10-15 minutes, twice daily (morning and afternoon / evening) will get good results in 12 weeks. The school summer holiday is ideal for an intensive course, 30-45 mins twice daily will get most kids touchtyping in 4-6 weeks, going back to school in September with a very impressive new skill – especially if no one else can do it!

Why make a coloured keyboard?

To learn to type by touch and get the skill into the muscle memory and out of the conscious brain, it’s essential NOT to see the letters while learning. Traditionally, touch typing was taught with the hands & keyboard covered and you can still use this technique. But our results have shown significant improvement when you make a real coloured keyboard to match the onscreen colours in Englishtype. See the “Learning to Type” page for more details.

Do I need Junior or Senior?

Both Junior & Senior teach touch typing in the same way. The main difference is the vocabulary in the higher settings of each program – there are simple, easy settings and more difficult words for more of a challenge. We recommend Junior for up to age 11 yrs (Primary school) and Senior after that. Some 12 year olds (or older) may prefer the fun in Junior, it’s personal preference.

What systems does Englishtype run on? Does it need to be online?

Englishtype’s online typing course will run on most computers, on Microsoft Windows 7 or higher, Chrome and MacOS Catalina 10.15 or higher. It doesn’t generally run on iPad or Android. We recommend Edge, Chrome or Safari as the browser. Browser must be updated to latest version. Your child can log into their account from any compatible device.

MAC USERS, if you have trouble with Safari and you aren’t on the latest OS, either update Safari from the App Store or download Chrome instead (you can have Chrome installed as well as Safari).

If you have any concerns about internet or broadband, or prefer your child not to be online, we have versions that will install and run on your own computer (don’t go online after the initial installation); contact us for details.