Discover the Power of Naomi Martin Touch Typing

Will my child be able to touch type after one week long course?

Yes! We aim to teach all the letter keys on the keyboard in one week, focusing primarily on correct technique, which is essential. Once this is in place speed will develop with time and lots of practice. However, please note that each child develops at very different paces and this will depend on many factors: age, keyboarding experience, learning difficulties such as dyslexia or fine motor control issues. By the end of the course most students will be able to touch type - but the speed at which they do it will vary hugely from person to person. 

How many students are there per class?

There are a maximum of 16 students per class and always 2-3 teachers teaching, so everyone gets lots of individual attention.

Is the course suitable for those with SEN?

Absolutely! This course is suitable for everyone - including those with learning difficulties. All staff have had extensive SEN training and the course is tailored to each individual's learning needs.

What age do you teach?

We teach children aged 7, all the way up to aged 18! Children are sat according to age and prior experience. 

Do we need to bring a snack?

No, we provide water and biscuits at break time, but people are welcome to bring their own snack, especially if they have any food allergies/ intolerances.

Where can I park?

There is meter parking on the surrounding streets in both Fulham & Clapham

What happens when the course finishes?

Each child gets an individual progress report which includes their wpm (words per minute) speed when typing in full sentences and also hints and tips going forwards, including relevant websites for practice. This is emailed out to parents/ caregivers the week after completion of the course. If a further course is needed Naomi will advise. 

What speed is required for laptop use at school?

Most schools agree that when someone can touch type at around 25-30wpm they are competent enough to be able to use a laptop in the classroom and for exams. Some schools may decide that around 20wpm is sufficient. Naomi is happy to get in touch with the school to recommend laptop use when these sorts of results are achieved.

Is practice important?

Yes, to see real improvement practice is vital! However, Naomi strongly advises completing the beginners course first so that the correct technique is learnt. Once the technique is in place then it is advised to practice little and often to build upon muscle memory and wpm speed.

How can learning to touch type help with SEN?

Many students with learning difficulties, find handwriting challenging, time-consuming and often very tiring. Touch Typing enables them to edit and produce written work more easily, allowing them to focus better on spelling, grammar and ideas – what they are writing - rather than being hampered by the motor skills involved in how they are writing.

Typed answers are often more legible, especially if the handwriting is poor or rushed. Touch Typing ensures that students’ responses are clearer, reducing the risk of misinterpretation by examiners.

When Touch Typing, each finger is responsible for a specific key. This can be advantageous for dyslexic individuals who may struggle with letter and word reversals, as it provides a more organised and predictable system.

Touch typing generally allows students to work faster than handwriting, which is especially helpful in timed environments such as exams. This can level the playing field for students with SEN, giving them more time to process information and formulate responses.