With the best online proofreading classes, you can build up the skills that will help you qualify as an expert proofreader and start making real money from your skills!
These days, true proofreading expertise is hard to come by – most of the market is filled by half-baked proofreaders that haven’t learned the ins and outs of the trade.
A real proofreader with real expertise can make real money in this field.
Just give it a thought, we consume text in one form or the other every waking hour of our day. It’s littered on advertisements, media, food packaging, blog posts, news sites, and the list just goes on and on – you name it, it has text.
So just think about the sort of demand that proofreaders would have, and how you can easily ride that wave.
Now, you might be thinking: “Proofreading? What’s so complicated in that – it’s just making sure whether a bunch of letters seem right or not, right?”
Well, it’s a little more complicated than that – becoming a skilled proofreader takes serious grit and determination.
The good news is you can become a master proofreader with the help of some great online courses on the top learning sites.
We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best online proofreading classes that will help you excel to the top, ranking them on a variety of factors, including quality of the curriculum, teacher credentials, student reviews/assessments, cost, and more.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost for you, we might get a commission if you click the link and purchase.
What are the Best Online Proofreading Classes?
Here are our picks for the top online proofreading courses you can take in 2023…
1) Editing and Proofreading Masterclass: Dominate Writing, Punctuation & Grammar (Skillshare)
Editing & Proofreading Masterclass (Skillshare)
Want to become a legit proofreader? This course is the perfect place to start, teaching you everything you need to know to go from beginner to pro.
Price
Skillshare offers a 1-Month Free Trial. After that, the price is $165 per year for unlimited access to all courses on the platform.
Duration
64 lessons spread out over almost 4 hours
If you’ve spent your time trying things out in the job market are ready to become a professional proofreader, this masterclass course is the perfect place to start.
Starting off with the basics, this editing and proofreading course packs more information than you will find anywhere else.
Going beyond the basics, this class invites individuals who are serious about the proofreading profession to gain some serious skills and make their mark in the overly competitive proofreading market.
With Instructor Nitay L guiding you through the steps, you’ll be in safe hands. He has over 5 years of experience working as a proofreader and translator and has landed countless professional proofreading clients.
Nitay started off his own career without much guidance, and through his online proofreading course, he’s aiming to help those new to the proofreading world gain the necessary skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the professional world.
You can try this class free during your one-month free trial period on Skillshare.
You will learn
- All about the proofreading job market – and how to make yourself stand out
- Proofreading symbols
- How to proofread translation – includes 3 different methods
- Computer keyboard editing shortcuts
- Editing and proofreading software
- Proofreading tips
- Colons, semicolons, and full stops
- Commas and apostrophes
- Hyphens and dashes
- Quotation marks and parentheses
- Capitalization
- Syntax errors
- Proofreading for different types, including academic, print and web
- Editing types
- Sentence clarification
- Dealing with repetition
- How to establish yourself on Upwork
User Feedback
“It was an overall amazing experience to get the opportunity to take this course! I got to learn so much from a single course, it really exceeded my expectations! It’s only been a couple of months since I took these classes, and I’ve already landed some pretty impressive proofreading gigs on Upwork! I really couldn’t be more thrilled. The explanations are so straightforward that you don’t need to have any previous proofreading information in order to take this course. I would recommend this course to anyone and everyone who wants to become a part of the proofreading world – you’ll thank yourself for it!’
Best for: Individuals wanting to develop thorough proofreading skills in a marketable and diverse way without spending much time
2) How to be an Editor/Proofreader (For Translators) – Skillshare
How to be an Editor/Proofreader (for Translators) - Skillshare
Are you a translator who wants to get into proofreading and editing? This course covers all the topics related to this growing niche.
Price
Skillshare offers a 1-Month Free Trial. After that, the price is $165 per year for unlimited access to all courses on the platform. See our Skillshare pricing guide or our Skillshare review for more info.
Duration
15 lessons spread out over 30 minutes
Proofreading and editing work is one thing, but proofreading and editing work that you’ve translated is an entirely different playing field.
And while you might be thinking, ‘Huh, how is that any different? Don’t I follow the same proofreading method that I’ve been following otherwise?’ there’s a bit more to it when dealing with translated work.
But don’t worry if you’re lost, because this course is designed to specifically tackle this proofreading niche, and once you’ve taken it you’ll be feeling as confident as ever about your proofreading skills.
With this hands-on proofreading class, you’ll be able to track your progress through detailed instructor feedback on the assignments that you submit, making it easier to see how well you’re doing.
Your instructor is Robert G, CEO of his translation agency, Lugano Translations. A Cornell University graduate, Robert has several years of experience working as a freelance translator, making him well equipped with the translation proofreading domain. And since he’s worked on top freelancing websites, he teaches tips and techniques that he knows for a fact are frontrunners with clients – helping you kickstart your proofreading career before you’ve even started!
You can try this class free during your one-month free trial period on Skillshare.
You will learn
- Revising your work
- Proofreading tips
- Editings tips
- Learning – and recognizing – the difference between revision, proofreading and editing – and when to use which
- MTPE – Machine Translation Post Editing
- The difference in proofreading translated work
- How to proofread and edit work that you’ve translate vs. proofreading and editing work that a third part has translated
User Feedback
“Outstanding Course!! This was one of the most detailed and well presented courses that I’ve taken in my proofreading career so far! The comprehension is something that really exceeded my expectation, and I left this course feeling more confident about my proofreading and editing skills than ever before. The instructor and the way he teaches is one of the best things about this course, and I almost forgot that I was sitting behind a screen – it was just that good! I’d recommend this course to anyone who wants to break into the proofreading world.”
Best for: Translators wanting to learn how to proofread and edit work
3) Proofreading Power Basics (Udemy)
Proofreading Power Basics (Udemy)
Learn the basics of proofreading and learn how to overcome the common mistakes newbies and experts alike often make.
Price
Regularly $99.99 (Udemy pricing varies by course).
Duration
26 lectures spread over almost 1.5 hours
Are you new to the world of proofreading?
This is just the course for you!
Udemy’s Proofreading Power Basics covers all you need to know to kickstart your proofreading foray.
Starting right from the basics, this online proofreading course takes you step by step, ensuring that you know how to keep your footing without diving into the proofreading deep end.
Whether you’re a writer looking to polish your work or an individual looking to make a career in proofreading, knowing how to edit and improve a piece of writing is a critical skill that is highly valued in today’s business world.
With easy-to-follow and informative videos that take you through the fundamentals of proofreading, you’ll soon be thanking your lucky stars for having the good sense to take this course!
And your pocket won’t hate you for it either!
Taught by instructor Ashan R. Hampton, it’s safe to say you’ll be in good hands. Not only does she have several years of experience in higher education instruction within the field of writing and editing, but she has also published multiple texts on learning to proofread.
Click here to learn more about this course.
You will learn
- What is proofreading
- A to Z of proofreading basics
- Recognition and correction of proofreading errors
- How to enter into freelance proofreading
- Difference between proofing and editing
- Proofreading tips
- Proofreading strategies
- Proofreading for capital letters
- Proofreading for numerical and numbers
- Proofreading for error hotspots
User Feedback
“This is a great place to start getting some of the very basics of copyediting and proofreading. It will definitely help you decide if proofreading is really your cup of tea, as well as pointing you to more resources which you can use to continue educating yourself on the subject. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is curious to see if proofreading is a viable career choice for them. And the best part is that the instructor makes learning fun and enjoyable, making it really easy to stay attentive during classes and get the most out of them!”
Best for: Professionals, freelance editors, freelance writers, content creators, bloggers, teachers, and K-12 and college grade students looking to get a grip on improving and reviewing their written pieces.
4) Kickstart a Freelance Editor & Proofreader Career on Upwork (Udemy)
Kickstart a Freelance Editor & Proofreader Career on Upwork (Udemy)
In this class, you can get valuable insights into how to become a proofreader who makes a great living.
Price
Duration
25 lectures spread over almost 2 hours
Have you spent blood, sweat, and tears becoming a skilled proofreader but somehow fail to see the results?
Well, you might have the best proofreading skills in the market, but you need to learn how to market them!
This proofreading class is designed to help you market your skills and make more money!
One of the most promising places for any freelance proofreader to grow is Upwork, and once you’re done with this course you’ll see yourself soar on the platform. Apart from giving you general information on how to use Upwork to your benefit, this course specializes it to the proofreading domain – meaning that you will see more effective results, quicker!
Whether proofreading is a source of extra income for you or it’s what keeps you financially stable, you’ll be amazed at the avenue Upwork holds for the field, and soon you’ll find yourself amongst the very top Upwork proofreading freelancers!
Instructor Duncan Koerber takes you through the course with his 12+ years of experience teaching at various Canadian universities.
Not only have his years made him a pro at content delivery, but he understands better than most just how to get students interested in learning, no matter what the subject matter is! One thing’s for sure – you’ll be learning from the best.
You will learn
- How to create successful bid proposal cover letters for proofreading projects
- Improving bidding chances
- Cultivating repeat clients to grow business
- Simple and straightforward editing philosophies
- Proofreading tips and approaches
- Attaining good feedback and readings
- How to create your Upwork profile and making it specific to proofreading and editing
User Feedback
“The course was a brilliant introduction to Upwork and especially setting up a Proof-reader/Editor profile to start searching for jobs straight away. Solid information and really well presented. By the end you get a thorough gist of what to expect and how to properly steer the platform. It also mentions some of the major pitfalls to avoid. I really liked it a whole lot and Duncan’s presentation of Upwork was the best I’ve come across!”
Best for: Upwork beginners and existing users in the proofreading segment that want to make more out of the platform.
5) Editing and Proofreading Made Simple (LinkedIn Learning)
Editing and Proofreading Made Simple (LinkedIn Learning)
Can't afford to pay a full time proofreader? Learn how to become your own proofreader so you can save time and money.
Price
1-month free trial, then LinkedIn Learning pricing goes to $39.99/month to access or $19.99/month if you pay for a year upfront
Duration
3 chapters spread over 40 minutes
Do you want to stop spending extra money outsourcing proofreaders?
Well, by the end of this online proofreading course, you won’t need to!
Editing one’s own work can seem daunting – the question ‘Will I be able to see where I’ve gone wrong?’ might be running through your head.
Break it down into a step-by-step process, and sure, you’ll be able to deconstruct your own writing to catch any inconsistencies and add improvements – the catch is knowing how and what to edit.
With this course you will learn the art of proofreading.
From learning proofreading key habits to knowing how to apply them to unique situations, by the time you’re done with this course you’ll consider yourself a thorough proofreader!
Taught under Erin Rickard’s rich experience, she brings her years as a writer, established editor, and professor of higher education to these online proofreading classes.
With a natural inclination for teaching, Erin imparts information in a way that makes it stick, making classes easy to attend and utterly fruitful.
Try this proofreading class at no cost during a one-month free trial of LinkedIn Learning.
You will learn
- Five basics of editing
- Content checking of the piece
- Editing mechanics including grammar and spelling
- Tone and style
- Formatting application
- Proofreading rules and shortcuts
- Proofreading emails and blogs
- Proofreading presentations
- Creating and applying templates and style guides
- How to boost proofreading productivity
- Difference between editing your own writing and editing someone else’s work – and how to apply strategies in both situations
- How to take care of errors in already submitted or published work
Best for: Business professionals and writers that cannot afford external proofreaders, also individuals wanting to work as proofreaders and editors
6) Grammar and Punctuation (Coursera)
Grammar and Punctuation (Coursera)
Need to brush up on your grammar skills? This course will help you remember all the things you once learned and then some.
Price
Completely free of cost to audit. $59 monthly subscription to gain access to peer feedback, quizzes, and certificate upon completion
Duration
Approximately 4 weeks, with a total of 17 hours between them
To become an expert proofreader, it’s necessary to take more than just proofreading-targeted courses.
In fact, the most important thing is to have a good grip over the language that you’re working with – and this includes knowing everything there is to know about its grammar, punctuation, spellings, and more.
With this editing and proofreading course, you can get all those skills!
Whether you’re someone who has a less than satisfactory grip over the English language or someone who just needs a bit of a refresher on some of the more complicated rules of the tongue, this course will help get your brain wheels turning and recognizing just how to best present written works in the language.
It’ll be a trip down memory lane as you revisit content you once learned in school, including the A to Z of grammar and punctuation. And the best thing is that the course is flexible, so you can learn on your own time – great for those night owls that only absorb information at the crack of dawn.
Taught and designed by a trio of instructors – Tamy Chapman, Helen Nam, and Brad Gilpin – it’s safe to say that you’ll be exposed to multiple streams of knowledge from equally talented and experienced individuals.
Chapman is the Instructor of International Programs at the University of California’s Irvine Division of Continuing Education, and she brings her passion for teaching to this online classroom.
Nam and Gilpin, both remarkably talented individuals in their own right, assist Chapman with the sole aim of making sure that you – the student – gets the most out of this course.
And you won’t even have to worry about hurting your pocket since you can enroll for free in this online proofreading class – so it’s a win-win situation!
Click here to get started for free.
You will learn
- Basics of grammar
- Basics of punctuation
- Verb tenses
- Conjunctions
- Compound sentences
- Complex sentences
- Commas
- Parallel structure
- Sentence variety
- How to include these in your writing and how to include them when proofreading someone else’s work
User Feedback
“I’ve taken a lot of Coursera courses, and Coursera truly helped me hone my skills and even allowed me to switch careers all thanks to their quality coursework, exercises, readings, audio-video lectures, and engaging discussion forum. This particular course really helped me refresh my basics and get back to track after the COVID break. It’s really been a game changer for me.”
Best for Individuals that are new to the English language, or those looking to get a refresher on basic language principles – especially individuals involved in proofreading, editing, and writing. Highschool and college students.
A Final Word on the Best Online Proofreading Classes
Communication is one of the most coveted skills in today’s world, and it’s only a select few that are able to communicate effectively through the written word. As a proofreader, not only can you make that a reality for yourself, but you can also help others improve their written communication skills and excel in their own fields.
These online proofreading courses are the perfect place to start your career – or give it a little push if it’s gotten tired and slowed down somewhere in the middle.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to launch a proofreading career or a seasoned pro, you’re sure to find something here that’s worth your while. And with online proofreading courses that have been tried and tested in the thousands, you don’t need to worry about wasting your time or money!
So, get started today and become an in-demand proofreader out there with the best online proofreading courses.
Have any questions about taking online proofreading classes? Drop us a comment so we can help you out.