Shorthand Tamil & English — Steno Training
Build dictation-grade shorthand speed in Tamil and English using the Pitman method. Daily audio dictation at progressive WPM, transcription drills and dedicated mocks for DOTE / TNGTE Junior and Senior Grade exams.
What is Tamil / English shorthand and who needs it?
Shorthand (steno) is an abbreviated writing method that captures speech at conversational speed. The DOTE Government Technical Examination certifies Tamil and English shorthand at Junior and Senior Grade and is a hiring qualification for Personal Assistants, Stenographers and Court Reporters in many Tamil Nadu government departments.
CCE India teaches the Pitman shorthand system, the official standard for both Tamil and English DOTE / TNGTE examinations.
Course progression
- Foundation — Theory: Pitman alphabet, vowel marks, position writing, consonant joinings.
- Vocabulary: Short forms, contractions, phraseography — building a usable working dictionary.
- Reading practice: Daily reading of printed shorthand to internalise outlines.
- Speed dictation — 60 WPM: Audio dictation drills, written outline practice, transcription back into longhand.
- Speed building — 80 / 100 / 120 WPM: Progressive speed targets matching DOTE Junior to Senior Grade benchmarks.
- Mock exams: Weekly full-paper mocks with timed transcription and instructor feedback on outline accuracy.
Tamil Shorthand — Junior and Senior Grade
Tamil shorthand is examined at Junior and Senior Grade by the Department of Technical Education, and is the qualification asked for in Tamil-medium stenographer and personal assistant posts in the state.
Junior Grade builds the outlines and the phrasing from the beginning: taking dictation at a steady rate, then transcribing it back accurately. The transcription is where marks are won and lost — an outline you cannot read back is worth nothing.
Senior Grade raises the dictation rate and the passage length. The work shifts from learning outlines to recalling them without hesitation, and to holding accuracy while the dictation does not slow down for you.
Students commonly take Tamil shorthand alongside Tamil typewriting, since a stenographer post usually asks for both.
English Shorthand — Junior and Senior Grade
English shorthand is examined at the same two grades and is the more widely asked-for of the two in private-sector secretarial and personal assistant roles.
Junior Grade covers the outlines, the common phrases and dictation at the entry rate, with transcription practice from the first week.
Senior Grade is longer passages at a higher rate, with business and official vocabulary that has to be written without pausing to think about the outline.
Usually taken with English typewriting.
Shorthand classes at both centres
Shorthand needs live dictation, so classroom attendance matters more here than for most courses. Classes run at Thirukkanur, Puducherry and Mundiyapakkam, Villupuram, with online dictation practice between sessions.
Contact the centre for the dictation speeds and grades currently being taught, or see the fees page for what is published.
DOTE shorthand benchmarks
| Grade | Language | Dictation Speed | Transcription Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Grade | English | 60 WPM | ≥ 95% |
| Junior Grade | Tamil | 60 WPM | ≥ 95% |
| Senior Grade | English | 100 WPM | ≥ 95% |
| Senior Grade | Tamil | 100 WPM | ≥ 95% |
Why CCE India for shorthand
Graded audio library
Hundreds of dictation passages at 60, 80, 100, 120 WPM in both Tamil and English.
Outline corrections
Instructors review your written outlines and pinpoint exact theory mistakes — no guesswork.
CCE practice books
In-house shorthand practice books mapped to the DOTE syllabus, used by every CCE student.
Online + offline
Live online classes with audio dictation streaming + supervised offline practice at our centres.
Shorthand FAQ
Is shorthand still useful in 2026?
Yes — DOTE certifications remain a hiring qualification for Tamil Nadu government Personal Assistant, Stenographer and Court Reporter posts.
Which method do you teach — Pitman or Gregg?
CCE India teaches Pitman, the official method recognised in DOTE / TNGTE Tamil and English steno examinations.
How long until I clear Junior Grade?
Typically 8–12 months of consistent daily practice. Senior Grade requires an additional 6–8 months of speed building.
Can I learn shorthand online?
Yes — our live online classes include audio dictation streaming and instructor review of your handwritten outlines via photo upload.