Independence note: STE Guide does not offer training or certificates, and it does not recommend or endorse any training provider. Nothing on this page is official information from ASD or STEMG. For official information about the standard and about training, visit asd-ste100.org.
Why people look for STE training
Reading the specification is the first step, but most writers find that practice with feedback is the fastest way to build real skill. ASD-STE100 has many rules and a large dictionary. It takes time to apply them naturally, especially when you also must keep complex technical content correct.
Organisations look for training for several reasons. A customer contract can require documents in STE. A company can start a new documentation project and want all writers to use the same approach. A team can want to reduce translation cost or improve safety. Individual writers often want STE experience on their CV, because many technical writer roles in aerospace, defence and similar industries ask for it.
Types of training
Training in Simplified Technical English is offered in different forms. The list below describes common formats in general terms. It is not a list of providers.
- Instructor-led courses. A trainer teaches the rules and the dictionary over one or more days, in a classroom or online. Participants do exercises and get feedback.
- In-company training. A trainer works with one organisation and uses examples from that organisation's own documents. This often includes help with a company style guide and term list.
- Self-paced online courses. Video lessons and exercises that you complete at your own speed. Feedback can be automatic or limited.
- Coaching and review. An experienced STE writer reviews your real work and explains each change. This is often the most practical way to improve after a first course.
- Tool training. Some organisations use software that checks STE. Training on such tools teaches how to use the tool, which is different from learning the language.
What does "certification" mean?
The word "certification" is used in different ways, so read the details carefully. A training provider can give you a certificate that shows you completed its course or passed its test. That certificate is a statement from the provider. It is not automatically a statement from ASD or from the maintenance group.
Before you choose a course because of its certificate, ask clear questions. Who issues the certificate? What does it prove: attendance, a passed exam, or a review of real work? Which issue of ASD-STE100 does the course cover? Do employers in your industry know this certificate? For the official position on training and recognition, check the official website. We do not make claims about which certificates are recognised.
How to choose a course
Use this checklist when you compare options. It is general advice, not a ranking.
- Current issue. Make sure the course teaches the current issue of the specification. Ask how the provider updates the course when a new issue appears.
- Official material. A good course uses the official specification, not unofficial copies or summaries only. Participants should have legal access to the document.
- Trainer experience. Ask about the trainer's practical experience with STE documentation, not only with teaching.
- Practice and feedback. Look for many exercises and personal feedback. Lectures alone do not build the skill.
- Relevant examples. Examples from your type of product or document make learning faster.
- Clear claims. Be careful with providers that suggest official status without clear evidence. Check any such claim on the official website.
- Follow-up. Ask what support is available after the course, for example review of your first real documents.
Learning on your own
Many writers learn STE well through self-study, especially when they have a colleague who can review their work. A good self-study plan has four parts.
First, get the official specification. Our ASD STE 100 PDF page explains where to download it and how to read it. Read the writing rules carefully, one section at a time.
Second, follow a structured path. Our ASD STE 100 skill page describes three stages: beginner, practitioner and reviewer. It gives exercises with model answers and a self-check list.
Third, study many examples. The STE examples page shows before-and-after pairs for procedures, descriptions, warnings and software text. The writing rules overview explains why each change helps.
Fourth, practise every day with real text from your own work. Use the free STE checker for a first review. Then compare your text with the rules. Over time, you will need the checker less and less.
Training for teams
When an organisation introduces STE, training is only one part of the work. The team also needs a shared term list with approved technical names, a style guide that explains company decisions, a review process and, often, a checking tool. Plan these together. Writers who attend a course but then return to a team without shared rules often lose the new habits quickly.
Start with a pilot. Choose one document, train a small group, and rewrite the document in STE. Measure what changes: review comments, questions from users, translation cost or time. Use the results to plan a wider roll-out.
Questions about training
Do I need a certificate to write in STE? Not in general. Some employers or contracts can ask for proof of training. Check their requirements.
Does this website offer a certificate? No. STE Guide is a free, independent educational resource. We do not sell training or issue certificates.
Where can I find official information about training? On the official website, asd-ste100.org.
How long does it take to learn STE? A short course can teach the basics in a few days. Real fluency comes from weeks or months of regular practice with feedback.