Shorthand Rediscovered

Twelve students enrolled in an evening study program aren't much of a crowd, but to Allen Trenum, a coordinator of adult education for Montgomery County Public Schools, the number amounts to something of a trend.
That's because the course is Gregg shorthand, a method of rapid note-taking using common-sense shortcuts, abbreviations and symbols. It has almost disappeared from public view and rarely is taught anymore except informally online.
"During the '90s, people didn't have an interest in it," Mr. Trenum says, "but I think there is a revival on even though people use [electronic] notepads and computers for many things. But if you are in a meeting attempting to take notes, the job is easier with shorthand."
He was thrilled and encouraged to see the number of students who signed up last spring and again in the fall for an introductory 12-week course that is being offered again starting Feb. 24 at Gaithersburg Middle School.
"When I first came on board, I wanted to find new, creative and innovative classes to offer adults, and this is one of the ideas I came up with," he says. "I came across it on the Internet while looking up adult education courses offered online in other parts of the country. It's not a course geared to secretaries."
No less impressed is instructor Susan Krause, 58, of Rockville, who says the challenge is the equivalent of learning a new language. "The beauty of Gregg is that when you are proficient you can use it anywhere, and there are some places where tape recorders aren't allowed for legalistic purposes."

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