The Dyslexia Shop

This unique touch typing tutor was developed by an educational psychologist specialising in dyslexia for 25 years. Designed to maximise additional literacy benefits at the same time as teaching typing, it improves reading and particularly spelling. It is carefully designed to meet the needs of dyslexic children; it uses a multi-sensory approach, a unique colour coding system, a simple visual presentation style and both written & spoken instructions. New features include:

• new, improved graphic design
• “Listen & Type” Dictation style practice exercises
• Self-printing certificates for course completion and levels of attainment

Unlike many other typing programs, it is designed to maximize additional educational benefits. It encourages the development of both reading & spelling skills, by using a highly structured content with only relevant & appropriate vocabulary for the child’s age.

Englishtype Junior follows Key Stages 1-3 of the National Curriculum (ages 7-12yrs), and uses all the words in the National Literacy Strategy at each Key Stage.

It is quick to progress through, with self-directed learning and only minimal adult supervision is required. The combination of short, self-taught lessons and fun games is designed to keep motivation high and make practice sessions painless.

Touch typing is especially helpful for dyslexic children to support learning to spell. With practice, spelling becomes more than a verbal skill, it also becomes a non-verbal skill - a series of finger movements.

Suitable for ages 7-12 (Key Stages 1-3)

Minimum Recommended System Requirements

• Windows 98 (2nd Edition)
• Pentium II 400MHz equivalent
• 64MB RAM
• CD-ROM drive
• SVGA
• Sound Card with Speakers and/or Headphones
• Not Mac compatable (unless it has suitable PC Emulator software installed)

Versions

There are two versions of this sofware.

The Home version is, obviously, for home use and is not for sale to educational institutions.

The Education / School version, includes a classroom administration package.

Testimonials

From a Mum…

“I have never been compelled to write about anything before, but I am so impressed with Englishtype Junior that I feel I must. My son Edward has just had his eighth birthday and was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was seven and a half. He has trouble with the dexterity of writing, which is a lot of effort for him, making his arm and hand hurt after a very short period of time.

Edward is an extremely bright boy, with wonderful ideas and a fantastic imagination, but the problems he encountered made him extremely frustrated and reluctant to put onto paper the detailed stories he could verbally convey. I stumbled across your product and thought that if Edward could touch type it would be one less thing to worry about and an ideal way to help him get his thoughts out onto paper. We started on key stage 1 and went through all the lessons, just by working for approx 15 mins on the program per session. We tried to do this most days of the week, where possible.

In no time at all Edward had completed all of key stage 1. As he knew where all the keys were by this stage, we moved onto key stage 2 and practiced on the last lesson. Edward also plays the games which he enjoys and the speed tests, where he always wants to beat his last score. Edward is now onto key stage 3, where the sentences are longer and harder, but he doesn't mind, he enjoys the challenge. His personal best is currently 98% accuracy and 16 words per minute and he will continue to get better. His typing is much better than my four fingered effort where I have to look at the keys! Edward does not have the aches and pains in his arms and hands whilst typing that he would have if writing. He now really enjoys typing stories on the computer because it has taken all of the hard work out of this activity.

Edward is moving to a new school in September where he should be able to use the computer much more for his daily school work and now that he can type, I know he will find his English work much more enjoyable. I am so delighted that I bought my son Englishtype Junior. Touch typing really is a skill for life and I feel it is essential for all children to learn to type this way, not just dyslexic children. Thank you so much, I am a very pleased Mum!”

From her son…

“Before I learnt to type with Englishtype Junior I could only use one finger to type with and I had to keep looking for the next key all the time. I was so slow and unable to type long sentences and I didn't enjoy typing. When I started to learn to type with Englishtype Junior I couldn't believe how well I was doing and I got better all the time. I don't have to look for the keys anymore, I just know where they are and typing is fun. Englishtype Junior is a great!”

From a teacher…

“I have used this program in 2 schools with amazing results. The programme enabled children with a variety of special needs to type fast enough to take notes and complete written work. This raised their self esteem and made them feel that they could cope within school. With the use of computers and the need for good keyboard skills as an essential part of the work market, I would like to see all children learning to touch type as early as possible. The careful use of games within the programme makes it fun and rewards the children's progress, excellent. It helps teachers too!”