Which proofreading course?

[Davie Stott]

Hi folks.

Having made the decision that I'd like to proofread as a way of earning extra income, I have met with a bewildering array of options in my online search for more information. I have seen courses offered which vary from a basic introduction right up to diploma level whilst prices have ranged from £35 to £400. Ladies and gentlemen of the forum, in a shell de la nut, I'm stuck.

Any advice regarding the best courses available and amount of work available for proofreaders would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Davie

[leumas72]

Hi, Davie.

I did the Chapterhouse Proofreading and Editorial Skills course. I did have a few problems with this course, and apparently it's notorious for being difficult to pass. They even said to me they don't hand out certificates too easily. But to their credit they did answer all my email queries, were reasonably helpful, and the price was somewhere in the middle.

I think the Gpuss course speaks for itself.

The Maple Academy course I believe is supposed to be OK and the last time I looked they were doing a special deal. Also unless I'm mistaken, I think you can get a refund if you're not satisfied, etc., etc.

The "diploma" courses may well be good enough, but there's no such thing as an official diploma in proofreading.

As for work, I guess they'll always be competition, especially in today's economic climate. If you're dynamic and good at selling yourself, as it were, then you'll have as much chance as anybody at finding work. If you're not, then that's something that'll hold you back.

All the best,

Leumas