Salford graduates train next generation of shorthand students

Teeline shorthand, in which journalists write symbols from an alphabet as a faster way to record quotes in verbatim, has been taught to trainee journalists for generations, and is still considered essential for covering courts where no reporter is allowed to capture an audio recording of proceedings.

Within the journalism industry, the skill had been thought to be on the decline after The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) – the lead training body for the sector – made it optional for students studying on its accredited courses 10 years ago. 

However, the majority of students on our MA Journalism courses are now actively learning and engaging with the skillset and two former graduates of the course – Harriet Muckle and Sam Rhodes – are helping to spearhead take-up by returning to our MediaCity campus to teach the next generation. 

Harriet, who graduated back in 2023, said that she ‘really clicked’ with the writing form whilst learning it but was sold on its usefulness after seeing journalists still use it first hand in the industry.

She said: “When I was working on placement, it really opened my eyes to how it’s used. Whether it was at BBC or at Sky, all the journalists were using it in the newsroom. 

“It would just be instantaneous for all their interviews. I learned then how useful it would be to have.”

Sam, who graduated from his undergraduate degree at Nottingham Trent University before arriving at Salford in 2024 to do his master’s, said that shorthand isn’t as well-known to those outside of the industry as its not part of the ‘glamourous side’ of being a reporter.

He said: “When people think about journalism, they think about going out and getting stories and being the face of that. They don’t think about writing small versions of words and having to learn a whole new skill and alphabet.

“I’ve always been a big advocate of it as I think it’s a skill that will always be useful. Particularly for students, you have to get 100 WPM (words per minute) to get a Gold standard in your NCTJ and that requires an internal drive and serious amount of dedicated study time that will always be respected in the industry.”

When the opportunity came to teach the skillset in the same classrooms that they learnt – both jumped at the opportunity.

Harriet said that being a relatively recent graduate has helped her as a teacher.

She said: “I do think it does help that the students can relate to me knowing that I was only in their position a few years ago. For something as intensive as shorthand can be, it helps that I can say that I was in their seats and know exactly what they are going through. I also try and bring as much humour to it as I can!”

Sam added that he feels more commitment from students as they see the ‘wider picture’ after graduation and understand the value behind having the skillset.

He said: “Students are going into a job market where everyone has lots of work experience and big portfolios. If you have your 100wpm, that might just tip the scales in your favour.

“It does make me wonder if students are just deciding to really invest in themselves more – particularly those at master’s level. They’ve all got this drive about them and the desire to get the most out of the course. 

“There might also be an argument of tech fatigue. My generation has grown up with technology being around them and maybe there’s a spot for doing something that’s a bit old fashioned and having a respite from tech whilst acquiring a practical skill.”