How to Find the Best Proofreading Courses Online

If you’re interested in a career in proofreading, you’ll need to make sure you have the right skills. That’s where online proofreading courses come in. Luckily, there are lots of different courses available online. But how do you make sure you pick the best one? 

We’ll start with an introduction to proofreading, and then we’ll share five things to look out for when comparing courses to help you narrow down the options and find the right online proofreading course for you.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final edit before a document is published. A proofreader looks out for mechanical errors that have been missed in earlier stages of editing, such as typos, grammatical mistakes, and incorrect punctuation usage. Freelance proofreading offers many benefits, such as:

• Flexible hours
• The ability to work from anywhere
• A good work–life balance
• A wide range of formats and subject matter to specialize in

Now that you know what proofreading is, you can start looking for online proofreading courses. Let’s take a look at our five tips for finding the best option.

1. Does the Course Cover All the Basics?

As a new proofreader, you’ll need to be familiar with how the English language works and when something might need correcting. To make sure you learn all the basics, you should check that your proofreading course covers:

• What proofreading is
• What the most common spelling mistakes are
• What the most common grammar and punctuation errors are
• How to proofread different types of writing
• How to find work as a proofreader

These are the essential building blocks for a successful proofreading career.

2. Does the Course Provide Practical Exercises?

Reading through large chunks of text isn’t always the most effective form of learning. Practical exercises, such as quizzes, interactive elements, and practice documents, can aid your learning in a number of ways:

• They allow you to test your skills.
• They help you keep track of your progress.
• They can improve your memory and knowledge retention.
• They help you stay motivated as you progress through the course.

Online courses that include these types of interactive exercises will likely provide you with a better overall learning experience.

3. Does the Course Include Access to Learning Support?

While online courses tend to have a more hands-off approach than in-person courses, you should still be able to access support for any questions or difficulties you may have.

This support may come from a dedicated team of tutors, regular webinars, or a learner forum. Some courses will provide this service at no additional cost, while others will charge extra. Make sure you factor this in when deciding on a course.

4. Does the Course Provide Certification?

You don’t need any particular qualification to become a proofreader. However, a certification will look good on your resume and appeal to employers and clients, thereby increasing your chances of finding work.

CPD certification is particularly sought after by employers, as certified courses will have been rigorously tested and approved by industry experts. Check to see whether the successful completion of a course comes with a certification.

5. Does the Course Have Good Reviews?

Finally, make sure your course does what it says it will by checking out online reviews. You can find reviews for online courses in a variety of places, including:

• The official site of the course or provider 
• Trustpilot
• Proofreading groups on social media
• Editing society forums

Don’t just pay attention to any number or rating, though. If possible, see how the reviewer’s needs match up with your own and whether their review is relevant to you.

You should also see how the course providers respond to negative reviews. Do they ignore the reviews, or do they provide advice and support?

Knowadays Course: Becoming A Proofreader 

If you’re still trying to decide which online proofreading course is best for you, our Becoming A Proofreader course could be just what you need. We offer:

• Comprehensive content that covers common errors, different types of proofreading, and ways to start a freelance career
• A range of practical exercises in each module to test your skills and cement your knowledge
• One-on-one support from tutors at no additional cost
• Lifetime access to course materials and any future updates
• CPD-accredited course content
• Guaranteed work opportunities (on achieving a distinction score on both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor)

Don’t just take it from us – check out our Success Stories page to read about the experiences of Knowadays graduates. And if you’re still not convinced, you can try out Becoming A Proofreader for free.