Honorary president: Judith Butcher Honorary vice-president: David Crystal OBE

FAQs: Mentoring

• What kind of mentoring do you offer?
• I see you specify the basic training needed before mentoring, but I'm taking a different course. Is it just as good?
• Are there no exceptions to these specified courses? I've heard that you'll consider 'equivalent training'.
• How soon will my mentoring begin?
• How many assignments will I get?
• How long does mentoring last?
• What sort of work will I get?
• Will I be assigned 'live' work?
• Will I be paid for the work?
• Is there specialist mentoring?

What kind of mentoring do you offer?

For most people, it makes sense to be mentored in proofreading first, but we do offer mentored copy-editing, too. We also plan to offer specialist mentoring (see below).

I see you specify the basic training needed before mentoring, but I'm taking a different course. Is it just as good?

Since SfEP runs many training courses of its own, it would be wrong of us to comment on other providers. However, the only courses we accept as preparation for mentoring are those named on the Mentoring page.

Are there no exceptions to these specified courses? I've heard that you'll consider 'equivalent training'.

We're willing to consider training in other countries if you can show us that it is adequate. We do also accept some higher-level training in lieu, usually where experienced editors are returning after a long break or have only worked within a narrow field.

How soon will my mentoring begin?

We can usually allocate your mentor within a week or so of receiving your application, but sometimes there's a waiting list. In addition, there may be some delay as your mentoring has to be fitted around your mentor's own work schedule.

How many assignments will I get?

That depends on the mentor – it can be anything from a whole book to five shorter pieces. Whatever you're given, you'll get feedback part way through. That gives you a chance to learn and improve. If you still show weaknesses, your mentor may give you extra material. Beyond that, if you ask your mentor for a further project, you'll have to pay them privately.

How long does mentoring last?

This partly depends on you and how much free time you have, but mentoring can last from nine weeks to six months. After that, you might start forgetting what you've learned. If you need more time, for whatever reason, that's usually fine – as long as your mentor agrees and there's no waiting list for their mentoring.

What sort of work will I get?

You'll usually get assignments on hard copy, but you may also get work on screen. The material may be articles from a journal or reference work, one or more chapters of a book and possibly a leaflet or flyer as well.

Will I be assigned 'live' work?

Usually your assignments will be jobs that your mentor has already done and returned, so they know that the material is suitable, they know where the problems are, and your deadline can be flexible. However, just occasionally mentors will assign a suitable 'live' job (when the deadline will be in real time).

Will I be paid for the work?

Apart from the occasional 'live' job, no. You'll be learning the job with an insider to guide you. Mentoring is one-to-one training combined with work experience.

Is there specialist mentoring?

Not yet, but we're developing mentored proofreading for certain specialist subjects (legal, medical) and for certain media (websites, journals). If you're interested, please contact . It may also be possible to offer mentored copy-editing in specific subjects or media.

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