Becoming A Proofreader

Becoming A Proofreader is made up of 13 comprehensive modules, each focusing on a different aspect of proofreading. You can progress through the course at your own pace and return to completed modules for a refresher whenever you like.

As well as informative written content, each module includes interactive elements such as videos, try-it-yourself exercises, and quizzes. These allow you to test your skills as you work your way through the course, and they help highlight any areas you might want to revisit. But none of these count toward your final grade!

When you reach the final module, we’ll guide you through some key revision areas and provide you with a mock assignment. This is a great opportunity to try out your skills and see if you’re ready to take the real test. The mock test isn’t marked by a tutor, but it comes with our edited version and a set of notes so you can review your work.

When you’re ready, you can then progress to the final assignment! This consists of two proofreading tests, on which you’ll receive detailed feedback from a tutor. You can take as long as you need to complete the assignment, and you are encouraged to refer back to the course while you work. If you score 80% or above on this assignment and that in Becoming An Editor, you’ll be offered the opportunity to undertake a 10-document paid work trial as a freelance proofreader with Proofed. And if you don’t pass the first time, don’t panic! You can purchase up to two additional attempts.

Becoming A Proofreader is for anyone who wants to learn how to correct and improve written content.

If you want to become a professional proofreader, then this course is definitely for you! It is designed to take you from the very foundations right to the advanced skills you need to proofread any type of writing, whether academic, creative, business, or something in between.

But this course is not just for budding proofreaders – it’s for anyone who wants to elevate the quality of their own writing or that of others, in a professional or personal setting. Content creators, freelance writers, marketers, recruiters, students, and anyone else who works with written content can benefit from better understanding the rules of language and how to apply them. Get in touch if you’d like to know how Becoming A Proofreader can help you!

On average, learners complete the course in 30–50 hours, but completion time varies based on individual learning styles and situations.

But a great thing about learning with Knowadays is that you get to set the pace. When you invest in a course, it’s yours to work through and return to as you like. This means you can get started whenever you want, and you can take as little or as much time as you need (even with the final assignment). And if you’re finding anything tricky, the tutors are always here to help.

To complete the course, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and access to a full version of Microsoft Word (Office 2016, 2019, or 2021, or Microsoft 365).

Although you can view the course on a smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook, they use a limited version of Microsoft Word that doesn’t include all the necessary tools. Plus, a larger screen size is preferable for study.

Other than that, all you need is the ability to set aside some study time, a little self-discipline, and the desire to learn about all things proofreading!

The simple answer is no!

Becoming A Proofreader is designed to cover everything you need to know to start work as a professional proofreader, so you don’t need any qualifications or previous experience. This course is your path from complete beginner to confident, trained professional.

As the course is online and focuses on on-screen proofreading, some basic computer knowledge is assumed (e.g., knowing how to save and open documents). If you have any concerns about the technical side of things, please get in touch at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to reassure you.

If English is not your first language, you can still take the course, but please note that passing the final assignment calls for a high-level command of written English.

We offer two versions of Becoming A Proofreader: one in US English and the other in UK English.

You will be assigned the US version as standard, but if you would prefer the UK version, you can simply email us to request it, and we will make the switch for you.

The lessons, practice exercises, and final assignments are the same in each version, and both teach the nuances of US and UK English. The final assignment tests on both US and UK English, so you’ll be confident in proofreading either dialect.

In Becoming A Proofreader, we cover the main areas professional proofreaders are likely to work in. There are dedicated modules on creative, business, and academic writing, with plenty of information on the types of documents you are likely to come across in each field.

The majority of the information, rules, tips, and techniques taught in the course can be applied to any style of writing, and the range of practical exercises lets you try out your skills on a variety of different texts.

If you’re just starting out, we recommend gaining experience in all areas before you decide to focus on a particular type of writing.

At Knowadays, our courses have always been based on the need for editing and proofreading in a digital world. We recognize that most clients work on a computer with internet access and need documents to be proofread immediately.

We don’t teach the use of proofreading symbols, as most proofreaders today are unlikely to use them. There may be some clients who prefer the traditional methods of proofreading, but most work will be done digitally.

Becoming A Proofreader is accredited by CPD – a professional body that certifies excellence in professional development training. CPD-certified courses are rigorously tested by industry experts, which makes them a valuable addition to your resume.

When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a digital certificate with the CPD stamp. This is a great way to prove your achievements, and you can add it to your resume, website, or online profile to showcase your knowledge and skills to potential employers and clients.

When you pass both our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses with distinction scores of 80% or higher, you’ll have the chance to begin a 10-document trial period with our partner company, Proofed. You can purchase the two courses together or separately, and the guaranteed work offer still applies.

Completing only Becoming A Proofreader does not guarantee work with Proofed, but you can still launch an independent career as a professional proofreader!

If you’d like to know more about the work trial with Proofed, visit our guaranteed work page to read all about it. Please note that to work with Proofed, your country of residence must have a tax treaty with the United States and use a currency that’s compatible with Proofed’s payment platform. You can review the full list of eligible countries to check your location.

The short answer is yes! While it’s easy to think that AI tools would render proofreaders unnecessary, this isn’t the case.

We’ve even experimented with asking ChatGPT to correct a document, and the result would not have met a client’s expectations!

AI is very handy for pulling together information on a subject, but it can’t see the big picture and can make logical errors. The output of a typical AI prompt tends to be dry, repetitive, and basic (funnily enough, it needs a good editor!). And in the same way that Word’s grammar checker often gets things wrong, there are too many rules at play in a long, complex sentence for an AI model to pick apart and evaluate the different elements; furthermore, you’d never catch it using semicolons.

So rather than AI being a threat to the industry, it may actually be a boon! With many companies using AI tools to draft content, there’s a real need for skilled professionals to review, refine, and correct that content to make it fit for purpose. And with Becoming A Proofreader, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be one of those essential professionals.

Before making any kind of career change, we recommend asking yourself three questions:

• What do I enjoy doing?
• What skills do I possess or would I be willing to learn?
• What would make me happy career-wise?

A career in proofreading might be for you if:

• You enjoy reading, writing, and learning about the English language
• You have great attention to detail and often spot errors in written material
• You have good time-management and organizational skills (or would be willing to develop them!)
• You want a career that is flexible, rewarding, varied, and always teaching you new things

You can read about other traits and skills common to proofreaders in our blog.

We know there are a lot of different options out there, and weighing them up can be a daunting task.

One of the best ways to see if a course is right for you is to give it a go, which is precisely why you can take two lessons from the course for free. You can get a feel for learning with Knowadays by exploring our example modules, complete with interactive activities and quizzes. And you can contact the tutors at any time if you have any questions.

When you’re considering a proofreading course, it’s worth asking yourself:

1. Does the course cover the fundamentals?
2. Does it include practical exercises to test your skills?
3. Do you get access to learning support?
4. Does the course have good reviews?
5. Do you get a certification?

When you learn with Knowadays, the answer to all of these questions is yes!

If you think of the editing process as a timeline, proofreading happens right at the end – after developmental, line, and copy editing have been finished:

Developmental editing ➜ Line/stylistic editing ➜ Copy editing ➜ Proofreading

A copy editor’s role is to ensure that words, sentences, and paragraphs work together to properly express the author’s ideas while maintaining the author’s voice.

A proofreader focuses on fixing mechanical errors, such as spelling mistakes, typos, grammatical issues, and misused or missing punctuation.

Modern digital proofreading can touch upon some elements of copy editing because it’s no longer constrained by the limitations of the printing press. Some clients may not exactly know if they need a proofreader or a copy editor, but our course teaches you all about the remit of each role, plus how to establish the scope of the task before you start.

You can read more about the differences between proofreading and editing in our blog.

There is no shortage of demand for proofreaders!

From businesses to academic institutions, publishing houses to nonprofits, all sorts of organizations produce content that requires proofreading. Although some deal with this in-house, there is always a demand for professional freelance proofreaders who can get the job done to a high standard.

Web pages, blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, essays, novels, manuscripts, journal articles, legal documents, medical writing – there is a huge variety of proofreading work available (and that’s not even the full list!).

There are lots of factors that influence how much a proofreader can charge, and figures on average income vary depending where you look. However, the figures all have something in common – they show it’s completely possible to make a living as a proofreader.

Hundreds of Knowadays graduates are doing just that, whether by working for Proofed, signing up with other agencies, or building their own freelance businesses. As with any career, you have to be willing to put in the work to develop your skills, find clients, and gain experience. But it will pay off!

The rates you charge as a proofreader vary significantly based on factors such as:

• How experienced you are
• How complex the job is
• Whether you are working in a specialist subject area
• The type of client

The EFA (US) collated data from its members and found an average hourly rate of $35–$60 (depending on the nature of the project). The CIEP (UK) suggests a minimum hourly rate of £29.85.

When you start out, it is likely you will be earning less than this, as you may need to market your services competitively in order to build up a client base (as well as your confidence and experience!). But as you practice and develop your skills, you will gain the ability to charge higher rates.

You can read more about setting rates as a proofreader in our blog.

If you pass your final assignment with a distinction score of 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you won’t need to worry about finding your first proofreading job. As part of our guaranteed work offer, you’ll have the chance to take up a 10-document paid work trial with our partner company, Proofed, soon after completing the course.

If you’d prefer to source your own clients, or you want to combine working with Proofed with working independently, there are a number of things you can do. The first steps are to update your resume, so you can share it with potential employers or clients, and create an online profile (on social media or your own website). From there, you can apply for positions, join freelance marketplaces, sign up to proofreading agencies, or advertise your services independently.

Explore our blog to pick up freelance tips and read guidance on how to find proofreading work. And for the practical elements of setting up your own freelance business, check out our Becoming A Freelancer course.

We’re here to help you decide whether Becoming A Proofreader is right for you, and we’ll guide you through your journey if you take the course. Our tutors have been exactly where you are now, and they will make sure you feel taken care of at all times.

Email us your questions at [email protected], or get in touch to ask about scheduling a chat with one of the team.

For general queries, you can check our main FAQ page.