You can increase your typing speed by doing regular practice. Computer typing in English & Hindi languages is one the most important skill a person can have, or rather, should have.
People learn this skill by taking a typing course and self-practice. Not all computer-literate people type accurately with good speed.
In most, IT or typing-related jobs speed matters the most to achieve a high level of productivity. Even in Government clerical jobs, a typing speed of 30-40+ wpm with 90 to 95% accuracy is required to qualify.
Typing speed not only helps to get a job but it also helps to work or type quickly and save precious time. So, today I am sharing tips to increase your typing speed to 40+ wpm at home. Obviously, you should have a computer/keyboard/internet and a learning attitude.
Related: Online Basic Computer Courses: Learn essential Computer Skills
Follow the following English typing speed practice tips
1.) Practice basic typing lessons
This is the first and most important step to increasing typing speed with accuracy. Here are all the basic typing lessons you can follow.
(i) Practice and type without looking at the keyboard the following words: asdf (space) ; lkj (space). Repeat. Type more than 1000 lines of this in notepad or Microsoft word. Asdf by using the left hand and ;lkj by using the right hand. Asdf from left to right and then ;lkj from right to left. These are called home keys, the positions where your fingers should be placed when they are resting on the keyboard.
There is an indent/bump on the f key to help you place your left hand’s index finger on it without looking. Likewise, there is an indent on the j key so that you can place your right hand’s index finger even in the dark just by feeling the bump.
(ii) After the first row (home keys) start typing the following line: qwerty (Space) poiuyj. Repeat this row as many times as you did with the home keys. One thing you should remember is that you shouldn’t move all your fingers to qwerty or poiuyj row. You have to move your fingers from the home row to the qwerty row above every time you type an alphabet;
For instance, on the home row you typed A with the pinky/baby finger of the left hand, now the same finger has to be used to type Q and then placed back on A to rest. Similarly, you used the ring finger of your left hand to type S so now the same finger is moved to type W and rested back on S again.
In the same manner, since your left hand’s middle finger was used to type D, it will also be used to type E in the upper row. Lastly, because your index finger was used to type F, now it should be used to type R, T, and Y.
So, it looks like this: A finger to Q, S finger to W, D finger E and F finger to R,T, Y and on the right-hand side the semicolon finger to P, L finger to O, K finger to I, J finger to U and Y.
(iii) Now the third row or typing exercise is zxcv with the left hand and ,mnb with the right hand. The process is similar to what you used in the 2nd step. This time you have to move your fingers from home row (asdf and ;lkj) to zxcv and ,mnb.
So the A finger goes to Z, S finger to X, D finger to C and F finger to V & B(optional). On the right-hand side, the L finger to, (comma), K finger to M and J finger to N and B. besides this you can also use the ; (semicolon) finger to. (Full stop).
(iv) Now practice the keys differently such as “asdfgf , ;lkjhj , aqz wsc edc rfv p;/ ol. Ikm, ujn etc.
Also, press the spacebar with your right hand’s thumb and the enter key with your right hand’s pinky/baby finger.
For better practices: see images on Google related to typing lessons to get a better visual image of this or watch basic typing lessons videos on YouTube if you find this difficult to grasp.
(v) Now try to practice this sentence because it uses all the alphabet in the English language: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”. You should practice all the lessons 4-5 times consistently and type all the basic lessons more than 1000 times to improve your speed.
Also, ask any family member to help in practice. He or she can dictate you to type random words, for example, they will tell you type D and you type without looking at the keyboard, then they will tell you to type E, F, DD, ee, oo, adl, fwq, oks, lsr, etc. You can also put a blindfold on your eyes or close your eyes and then type. It will help you to concentrate and also improve your accuracy without watching where the keys are on the keyboard.
Note: The basics lessons can be different in many cases. The above method is used by me thousands of times to teach and work on the keyboard. It’s not fair to say that some basics are correct or incorrect.
Accurate typing and speed will matter the most at the end of the day. You can also create your own basic lessons as you feel comfortable but you have to use all your fingers. For example, if you practice: ASDF ;LKJ then it’s ok, but if you use AQZ and SWX then that’s also ok. So select any method with which you’re comfortable.
2.) Practice typing difficult words
Your typing speed with many common words can be 50 wpm to 70+. Such as when type “doll” your typing speed is high because the word is small and easy to read and type. But when you type “obediently “ it will take time because the length of the word is big and the keys are far apart.
So, you can underline or write difficult words in a list and practice more on long character length words.
You can practice more with the following kind of words after practicing the basics lesson:
- Differently
- Testimonials
- Approximately
- Following
- Accidently
- Conversion
- Habitual
- Discipline
- Consistency
- Increasingly
- Progressively
- References
- Activation
- Etc.
Try to create a word list of difficult words and practice each word 100 times, or until you’re sure that you are able to type the words quickly & accurately.
3.) Practice on typing tutor software or online typing test
This is the third step but you can also do it after the basics lessons and many people actually start with this as the first step. But I think the right time to use typing software comes after you’re able to type keywords or strokes without watching the keyboard.
There are various typing software you can download from the internet such as TT6 for windows XP, rapid typing tutor for Windows 7, typing master, etc. Follow the guidelines provided by the typing tutor and practice regularly. Set apart time for this and do this daily for 30 to 40 minutes. You can also use an online typing test application or online typing test websites.
4.) Practice typing from books, newspapers or from movie subtitles
In this case, you can buy a book from your nearest book store that is specially written for typing courses or for preparing for Govt. typing job test, etc. in which you can practice strokes. Such as 52 strokes in one line, and 1600 strokes in 10 minutes.
In such books, they have already created paragraphs and lessons based on time and strokes. Strokes mean a single key you press on the keyboard. You can also practice typing from a newspaper. One newspaper is enough for practice because it contains difficult and new words.
You can use Microsoft word to type from the newspaper. Also to increase the speed you can watch movies in which you can see the words or subtitles in the bottom of the screen, but it is only recommended for advanced users as this is quite hard. Remember that you should be able to type those words without looking at the keyboard. You can also listen to English audio tapes and practice using them.
5.) Type in a different and challenging environment
If you feel bored typing while sitting then stand up and try typing that way in front of your computer. Practice typing in a very noisy environment, and practice typing in different ways to become versatile.
But remember to follow the basic lessons properly. Practicing English typing in a challenging or uncomfortable environment helps you to handle the pressure you will face in the Test room or Exam Hall.
In the exam hall, there are two challenges you will be facing; one is to pass the typing test and another is to handle the pressure. As you know everyone wants to pass the test so the environment in the test room is very competitive and challenging.
Practicing at home by creating a challenging situation while typing will prepare you for such a situation where others will fail.
6.) Discipline, Focus, Confidence, and a winning attitude
To become a master in anything you need discipline. So you need to type daily, regularly. You need focus and you can increase it by meditating along with typing practice or before the practice by closing your eyes for 2 to 3 minutes.
Also, focus on the words on the paper and try to concentrate on your fingers and their position on the keyboard. Be confident that you will pass the test and that you have increased your typing speed.
Never compare your speed with others who have been practicing for 2 years, you can do that in 2 months if you’re confident. First, you need to practice and when you start increasing your average speed by 1 wpm daily then it will be 60 wpm in 60 days. But just be confident about your abilities and about doing the things that are necessary.
Another thing is that you should have a winning attitude that you will be able to pass the test. Focus on success and forget about failures.
7.) Fix your minimum practice time
I recommend practicing for a minimum of 4 hours daily and also practicing during different times such as sometime in the morning, afternoon or evening. You can also watch typing videos on the internet in which people are typing on the keyboard.
So, these are the basic fundamental tips to increase your typing speed and accuracy. But one thing you have to remember is that you make sure you’re using the fingers correctly and efficiently.
If not, then you need to practice more. That’s it. If you practice for 4 hours daily I can guarantee that after 30 days your speed will be 25+ and in the next 30 days by following the same practices it will be 40+ wpm.
Related: How to improve your computer skills
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