Bell House will be running a touch-typing course for children with dyslexia in Year 5 and 6.

About this Event

The touch-typing course will consist of:

• Four days of tuition at Bell House from Monday 13th to Thursday 16th July from 1.30pm-3pm

• Typing practice set for students to complete at home.

Students who attend the course will take away a special keyboard to keep practising on as well as continued access to the online software used.

The course will be led by Suzanne Jessel, a qualified and BDA registered dyslexia teacher and assessor with years of experience as a SENCO. The sessions will be fun and interactive, focused on showing students how they can use this new skill to improve their schoolwork, thereby motivating students to learn this vital skill.

Booking

Tickets cost £125 (including keyboard and software licence), and bursary places are available – please email [email protected] for more details.

On booking we will email you asking about the age and typing ability of your child (although this is open for complete beginners!).

Before booking please be aware that the intention is that the students continue their touch-typing practice beyond the course so that they become procient typists before returning to school in September. This cannot be achieved in one week. It requires regular and prolonged practise.

Who is this for?

This course is for students with dyslexia, as they will benefit most from this multi-sensory style of teaching. To ensure this course is targeted as effectively as possible, it will be open only to students in Year 5 and 6. Younger or older students should look out for future courses.

What to bring?

• Laptop with a USB port and ability to connect to wireless internet (if you do not have a laptop please let us know)

• Headphones

• Snacks (we ask that it is nut free please, in case of nut allergies) and a named water bottle

Why Touch-typing?

Touch-typing can be hugely beneficial for a child with dyslexia and getting used to using a computer early on can be very helpful. If a child is confident touch-typing on a computer early on in their school life, then they are much more likely to be able to use a laptop for their exams later on at school. According to the British Dyslexia Association, ‘some dyslexic students find typing easier than handwriting, as the tactile element of pressing the keyboard can help with managing difficult words.’ It can be easy to correct mistakes, move words around and the computer is non-judgemental, giving children confidence.

To learn how touch typing can improve grades please see https://www.achievenow.org.uk/how-typing-improves-grades.