Custom subjects in TTRS let you create your own typing modules using personalized content such as spelling word lists, curriculum vocabulary, or revision materials. These work just like regular TTRS modules — learners see, hear, and type your chosen words and sentences.
Why Create a Custom Subject
You might want to create a subject if:
You’re a parent working through a personalized spelling word list with your child
You’re a teacher who wants students to practice classroom wordlists
You’re a tutor tailoring lessons to an individual learner
Before you start the below guide, have a look at these interactive demos on adding subjects and spelling words to TTRS.
For home users:
Creating a subject in TTRS
Adding spelling words to TTRS
For education accounts:
Creating a subject in TTRS
Adding spelling words to TTRS
How to Create a Custom Subject
Start a New Subject
Log in to your Admin Dashboard.
From the top menu, go to Subjects and click Create a new subject. You'll be given a choice between creating a subject manually or using AI to generate your subject. If you already have your own content ready, select Create manually. For more on using AI to generate a subject, have a look at this guide.
Enter a Subject name (e.g., “Spring Spelling Words”).
Select a Category from the dropdown list.
Choose a language that matches the spelling conventions your students are learning (US English, UK English, or AU English).
Add a brief description.
Choose How to Add Content
You can either import from a file or add modules manually.
Import from a File
Select Import and click Continue.
Upload an XLS file with your subject content, or download the provided XLS template.
Fill in the columns for Number of Levels, Description, Number of Modules, Module Description, and Module Text.
Save the file and then drag or upload it back into the system.
Click Continue to finish.
Add Manually
Select Manually and click Continue.
Enter a descriptive name for your Module at the top.
Add your content one line at a time (3–5 words separated by spaces, or one sentence per line).
Click Save when finished.
Repeat to add more modules.
Customize Your Subject
Top Tips for Creating Effective Modules
Use 3–5 words per line or one sentence per line
Avoid extra punctuation — students will need to type every character you include
Keep text to 5 lines per module for manageable length
Use repetition to reinforce learning
Stick to 31 modules per level so the content is easier to navigate
Adding Images (Optional)
You can add an image to each line of text for visual support. (Ensure you have copyright permission before using images.)
Click the photo icon at the end of a line
Choose an image file from your computer
Adjust and certify usage, then select Save.
Organizing with levels
If you have a lot of content, you can group your modules into levels:
Click Subjects → My Subjects → Select the Subject → Actions → Edit Levels → Create new level
Enter a name (e.g. “Level 2”)
Switch between levels as needed and continue adding content
Sharing Your Subject
When you're ready to share your subject:
Click Subjects → My Subjects → Select the Subject → Actions → Share Subject → Select the student or students from the list or simply tick Share to all students
You can share your subject with:
Individual students
All students
Individual classes
All classes
Students will then see the subject under the My Subjects tab in their dashboard. If they can't see the subject, double check the language the students have selected in their settings matches the language the subject was created in. If students still cannot see the subject, verify the language settings for the subjects you’ve created. Subjects might be set to US English, UK English or AU English, depending on the platform. Adjust the language to match the students' preferences to ensure visibility.
*Note for education accounts, any subject created by an Admin will also be visible to teacher accounts. Teachers can only create subjects for the students in classes to which they have been assigned.
Using the Flag Menu to Select a Language
Admins and students can easily switch between language options using the flag menu. To do this, click the flag icon and pick the language your students are learning to view the corresponding subjects.
Deleting Subjects
Only Admins and Teachers can create or delete subjects. If you’ve created a subject you no longer need in TTRS, you can follow these steps to delete it:
Navigate to the Subject section in your TTRS account.
Open the My Subjects tab to access the list of subjects you’ve created.
Select the subject you wish to delete.
Look for the Action menu associated with the subject.
From the Action menu, click on the Delete option. Confirm action by clicking on Yes, Delete. This will remove the subject from your account, freeing up space and keeping your subject list organized. Please note that deleting a subject is permanent and cannot be undone.
