I can highly recommend Tanya Battel as an excellent teacher. She has a unique way of approaching the different rules of shorthand, making it more comprehensible yet fun. In the short time I have been taking lessons with Tanya I have learned so much and have a far better understanding of some of the little quirky rules than I ever did at College.
Jill Britten
PA to the Corporate Counsel - Queensland Rail
So far, I have found the course material easy to follow. The way the lessons are written is very step-by-step and the information is reinforced as you continue through the book. The communication process is well set-up. Tanya makes herself available and is quick to respond to any queries. She provides helpful feedback on how I’m doing and on any clarification I need (which is much appreciated!). I’ve found "correspondence" works well for me. When things get busy with work, it’s great to know that if I fall behind I’m able to take extra time on the course. Correspondence wouldn’t work nearly as well if the course wasn’t set-up for easy access to information (which I feel you’ve provided). There is plenty of information within the course book itself, and you’re only an email/phone call away if further clarification is needed. I’ve found the course great and am glad to have signed on!
Jade Orr
Accounts Manager - Northern Territory
Really enjoying the Shorthand via Correspondence Course, I had looked everywhere in Sydney, my hometown, for a Shorthand Class or teacher. I finally found Elite EAs on the internet. I am very happy. It has been a wish of mine for a long time to continue learning shorthand where I left off at school 47 years ago! Although Tanya is in a different State this has presented no problem. It has been a blessing for me because with her help my wish is coming true. Thank you so much, Tanya.
Carmen Bon - Sydney
Elite EA's provides a pleasant and relaxed, but focused, class catering very individually to each Student. The style of teaching enables all Students to move forwards simultaneously. Tanya has the ability to break down what can be a complex subject into digestible material. Her passion and encouragement are infectious!!
Eve Uhlmann
Executive Assistant - Rio Tinto Alcan
From my first phone call to Tanya to enquire about shorthand, I could sense her enthusiasm. It was infectious; I signed up and started class that week. I’m only half way through the course & am thoroughly enjoying it. There is a lot of information to take in, but Tanya works through the course material in such a logical and friendly way. The class has a relaxed atmosphere and is very interactive. I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn shorthand.
Casey Outson
PA to Deputy Headmaster - Teaching & Learning, Dean of Studies & Dean of Admin & Curriculum
Brisbane Grammar School
As a technical writer working for a software development company, I decided to learn Pitman Shorthand because I found myself struggling to take good notes at speed when interviewing developers and clients. I decided to have one lesson with Tanya as a trial and I was hooked on the sheer cleverness and efficiency of Pitman’s system.
There is a lot to learn, but Tanya’s system breaks the material into easy lessons. I found I was motivated to practice during the week so I was ready to advance to the next lesson with the other students in the class. Tanya has an easygoing and friendly style and she explains the various concepts clearly. Her material has plenty of practice exercises – practice is the key to success.
I haven’t quite finished the course, but I am already using some shorthand in my note taking. After many weeks of practice, there is a certain quiet satisfaction in reading and writing a system that a friend says looks like “meaningless squiggles”. I am looking forward to the speed building sessions to help me put my new skill into practice.
Lindsay Ball
I am extremely happy that I took this opportunity to learn shorthand with Elite EA’s. The small group environment ensures that I get the help and attention that I need in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. The course content explains the theory in an informative and easy to follow manner. Above all the teaching style is extremely fun whilst being educational, making classes a joy to attend! I am sure that my new found skills in shorthand, will not only be advantageous in my current role, but will also give me a competitive edge when applying for future positions.
Suzi Til
Senior Administrator Food Services - The Wesley Hospital
I am part way through a dual Degree in Journalism and Arts at UQ. I enrolled in this external course to learn Pitman Shorthand because it is an integral part of the job I ultimately want to do. It is hard work but I enjoy every minute of learning and practising. The classes are intimate and well-structured; it is a fabulous learning environment and an immense amount of fun! Over the two hours of learning and practising new strokes each week, Tanya structures the course to be systematic and easy to learn. She introduces something new in a step-by-step manner which is very easy to follow and apply. I thought the extra work on top of University Studies would be a bit of a struggle, but we are now up to week seven of the 18 week course and I have no problem finding time for it at all! It’s of benefit to me to do well! I’m driven with the desire to learn more than where we are up to because Tanya provides the material in advance so that we can preview what is to come. Usually when I’m attending lectures I will try and write every few words in shorthand and am able to do this with the knowledge that I acquire each week. It is a fabulous challenge! I’ll be really sad when the course is over.
Hayley Grieve
University Student - Journalism & Arts
University of Queensland
I was so excited to find Tanya as there are limited options available to learn shorthand. I knew immediately from our first telephone conversation that it was going to be a great Course. Tanya made the effort to get to know me and my reasons for wanting to learn Shorthand. Our first class was fantastic, with a great group of students, a warm and friendly atmosphere, and Tanya able to hold our undivided attention and deliver the Course material with interest. This continues with each and every lesson, and the communication in between classes provides a personal touch. We receive informative class notes and homework at each lesson which is simple to follow - like Shorthand for Dummies!! Although it is up to us as Students to practice, Tanya is always on the ball motivating us, with praise and advice. Thank you Tanya for your dedication and time, very much appreciated.
Trish Vernyik
Personal Assistant - MPM Marketing
Tanya is not only an excellent teacher, but makes the sessions an enjoyable experience. Her teaching style is relaxed, with plenty of one on one tuition to ensure all aspects are understood. Tanya supplies more than adequate course material making revision and practise easy. We highly recommend her course to anyone, beginner or revisor who wants to learn or improve their skills. Thanks Tanya for a fun and informative course.
Marguerite Langford & Chris Lynes
Centre Management – Retail First
Cannon Hill Kmart Plaza
Shorthand is a skill I have been interested in learning for many years now and am excited at having been given the opportunity to undertake this course. Tanya is an excellent teacher with a thorough understanding of the requirements of the class. The small personalised learning groups allow for individually tailored lessons according to the group's progress and needs. I am looking forward to being able to use this new skill in my daily role as I know it will have an enormous impact on my productivity and day to day activities.
Audra Mulcahy
Personal Assistant to Managing Director
Orthotech Group
I recently started a new position as Executive Assistant to the General Manager of a very large security company. My previous experience was working for 10 years as a Personal Assistant. Making the transition from PA to EA was quite a daunting task. Working in the same position for 10 years is fairly limiting to your skill base as you become very proficient in your day to day work but the variety is not there to expand on your knowledge. I had heard of Elite EA’s and made contact with Tanya Battel. Firstly I began a Shorthand refresher course with Tanya as I could see that bringing my shorthand into my minute taking would be of great advantage. After a few lessons with Tanya I was impressed by her professionalism and amazed at her life experience when it came to working as an Executive Assistant. I decided to take a few mentoring sessions with Tanya to help me put my best foot forward in my new career. My mentoring sessions were very valuable. Tanya gave me some easy set up systems and gave me a “heads up” on what to get my hands on quickly so that I was prepared. After my sessions were finished I would still occasionally call Tanya and get some advice on how to handle some tricky situations. I would recommend Tanya Battel to anyone who was looking to enhance their skills as an Office Professional.
Angela Sewell
EA to General Manager - ISS Security
I started learning shorthand 15 years ago when I was at Secretarial College but dropped out after a few weeks when the teacher told me that I would have difficulties because I was left-handed. When the first night of the Course came I was feeling tired, and wondered what had possessed me to think that I could now sit through a two hour class. I soon realised that everyone in the group felt the same. Within a few minutes everyone was chatting and getting to know each other. Before I knew it the lesson was over and I went home armed with some consonants to learn, and many new friends. I couldn’t wait to go back the following Thursday – who would have thought that learning shorthand could be such fun!
Tanya was aware of my concerns about being left handed, and made sure from the first lesson that I was comfortable. She has an amazing ability to quickly hone in on each of our shortcomings, and because the group is small she is able to help us through any problems as they arise.
Tanya keeps us motivated and enthusiastic, even emailing us with tips and help during the week. The classes are paced in such a way that just as you think you have grasped the concept, Tanya adds another little bit. I have never felt overwhelmed! We are given course material every week to take home and revise, and instructions are always clear about what is expected of us. Each lesson is started with revision and consolidating everything we have learnt (well that’s after we have exchanged our weekly news and made a cuppa!)
I can honestly say that these shorthand classes have changed my life. They have given me a confidence in my ability to learn new things, I feel they have sharpened my mind, and I have made friends that I would like to keep in touch with even after the classes end.
Sandy Griffin
Marketing Coordinator - St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital
Tanya has a way of teaching shorthand that brings it into the 21st Century. She makes the use of shorthand quick, interesting and easy to learn.
Liz Martin
PA to Director of Care - Alzheimer's Association of Queensland
Tanya's teaching style encourges individual learning in a group environment by sharing questions, concepts and difficulties. The subject matter is made easier to understand by active use of working examples.
Greg Dwyer
Customer Service - Ergon Energy
The environment and class size proves perfect for your style of teaching and for our particular age group. We are all older with busy lives and your intimate style and relaxed manner makes for a flexibility that is perfect. The course material is good because it is not overdone, i.e. it's not a book each week where the entire class is spent just reading from it. I've had teachers that hardly look up from their material and you feel as if you have wasted a Class rather than learning. I like the fact that the material is more of an outline for the week's lesson and you teach outside of this. Thanks for everything!
Holly Day
Senior Administrator - Rio Tinto Alcan
Even though I had done shorthand many years ago I was still very nervous, feeling like I couldn't remember anything and that these classes were going to be hard! However, from the moment I contacted Tanya from Elite EA's I was made to feel completely at ease and excited about taking the course. The course material was set out in a way that was very easy to understand and absorb. Tanya's beautiful personality put us all at ease and her very down to earth teaching style ensured that the lessons were at a pace that suited everyone. I remember shorthand classes being quite painful back in high school but these classes are really enjoyable and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Rebecca Davison
Project Administration Manager
Rio Tinto Alcan