Skip to main content

How to Create a Custom Subject

Perfect for adding personalized spelling lists, classroom vocabulary, or tailored content.

Harry Alexandre avatar
Written by Harry Alexandre
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Custom subjects in TTRS let you create your own learning modules using personalized content such as spelling 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 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

  • You’re an adult learner wanting to reinforce words related to work, study, or personal goals

How to Create a Custom Subject

Start a New Subject

  1. Log in to your Admin Dashboard.

  2. From the top menu, go to Subjects and click Create a new subject.

  3. Enter a Subject name (e.g., “Spring Spelling Words”).

  4. Select a Category from the dropdown list.

  5. Choose a language that matches the spelling conventions your students are learning (US English, UK English, or AU English).

  6. Add a brief description.

Choose How to Add Content

You can either import from a file or add modules manually.

  1. Import from a File

    1. Select Import and click Continue.

    2. Upload an XLS file with your subject content, or download the provided XLS template.

    3. Fill in the columns for Number of Levels, Description, Number of Modules, Module Description, and Module Text.

    4. Save the file and then drag or upload it back into the system.

    5. Click Continue to finish.

  2. Add Manually

    1. Select Manually and click Continue.

    2. Enter the Module name.

    3. Add your line texts (3–5 words separated by spaces, or one sentence per line).

    4. Click Save when finished.

    5. 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 many modules, you can group them into levels:

  1. Click Subjects → My Subjects → Select the Subject → Actions → Edit Levels → Create new level

  2. Enter a name (e.g. “Level 2”)

  3. Switch between levels as needed and continue adding content

Sharing Your Subject

When ready to share:

  1. Click 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

  2. 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.

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:

  1. Navigate to the Subject section in your TTRS account.

  2. Open the My Subjects tab to access the list of subjects you’ve created.

  3. Select the subject you wish to delete.

  4. Look for the Action menu associated with the subject.

  5. 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.

Did this answer your question?