Basic Skills Course - Training Package ($899)

Overview

This course teaches the foundational skills needed to provide real-time communication access using the TypeWell transcribing software. It retains the quality of in-person instruction while offering the convenience and low cost of distance learning.

• There are 29 lessons in the Basic Skills Course.
• Each lesson takes 1–3 hours, for a total of 35–60 hours of coursework.
• At the recommended pace for optimal learning, the course takes about 2–3 months to complete.
• Candidates who dedicate up to 4 hours per day may finish in about 1 month.

After completing the course, transcribers are strongly encouraged to gain at least 50 hours of on-site experience providing communication access services before transcribing remote lectures. We recommend at least a year of experience before transcribing math or science content.

Enrollment & Sponsorship

As of 2025, the Basic Skills Course is available only to sponsored candidates. A confirmed sponsor—typically a school, university, or company—must pay the course fee and provide mentoring and supervised practice during the trainee’s first semester of work.

Learn more in our Sponsorship Policy.

Free Online Application

Each candidate for the Basic Skills Course must complete our application process, which includes detailed information about the transcriber role, required equipment, and an overview of the course syllabus and training schedule. Applications are reviewed in coordination with the sponsoring organization before trainees are admitted to a new cohort.

Interactive Computer Program

TypeWell’s unparalleled training software uses an adaptive teaching assistant to provide instant feedback and customized practice activities based on each student’s progress. The training software is installed on the student’s laptop computer before the course begins.

Online Course Account

The student accesses an online course account after each lesson, which explains every step of the process. A flexible but firm automatic scheduling system alerts the student and sponsor as needed to keep learning on track. Update reports are sent to the sponsor throughout the course.

Live Teacher Support

Throughout TypeWell training, students are not alone. Our team of expert TypeWell teachers provides support, encouragement, and focused feedback via email and phone. Each trainee comes to us with particular skills and strengths, and it’s our job to ensure that each receives the right tools to succeed.

Automated teaching systems only go so far—they cannot check deeply for understanding the way a live teacher can. Our teachers read transcripts, answer questions, and provide detailed feedback. We believe that is the best way to achieve consistent, high-quality training.

First-Semester Mentoring

The Basic Skills Course fee includes two (2) mandatory, first-semester Skill Consultations conducted by a TypeWell teacher and one (1) seat in the Turbo 1 Courselet. This ensures that new transcribers receive structured mentoring and feedback as they begin providing real-time services.

Course Fee

The current Basic Skills Course fee is $899 (USD), paid directly by the sponsoring organization. TypeWell no longer offers payment plans or financial assistance for self-pay candidates.

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