Testimonials

I was a student in Kansas learning the theory from your Star Tran materials, so I have them already. But I had to return to California. I decided to try to learn on my own at home. The school in Kansas was first-rate and, during the short time there, I was able to learn what I needed to do in order to be successful.

Years ago, I was first a student at another school in this area but became frustrated largely because of a theory which was full of conflicts. It was so bad that students regularly made up their own theory in order to pass tests — with all the problems that can make for a reporter later on. From the very first day I used the Startran Theory, I was thrilled with it. It was obvious to me that it was far superior to the conflict-ridden theory I had been so frustrated with before. I also feel that it’s intuitive — I usually can figure out what the new outline will be before I’ve even gotten to it in the materials.

During the first few days at the school in Kansas we were put on the Case CATalyst system with student machines hooked up to write in realtime. I was shocked by the difference in the Star Tran Theory and the old theory I had used before — little differences, but in every way better!

I have never wavered in my desire to do this for the rest of my life. I am a college graduate and this will be my third and final career. Thanks for the chance to correspond with you and your obvious wish to sell me only what I need. My machine is a new Elan Mira. I wanted to get the dictionary most compatible with the excellent Star Tran I’m learning.”

Thank you for the feedback! I’ve been really loving the program.

I am very impressed with the teaching technique of your lessons. It is quite obvious that you have many years of teaching experience, as quite a bit of what I read in your texts reflects exactly my thoughts. In many ways your theory is superior to the one I have been teaching.

That is actually very helpful, thank you so much! You have been a great teacher. You teaching style really meshes well with my personality. My last school did not. Your positive reinforcement is amazing!

Amy G.
StarTran Online Student

Thank you so much! I’m so glad I signed up for StarTran. It really clicked for me. I have seen other theories with briefs that are not as phonetically based. I think I would have really struggled with something like that. I can already see how having briefs is very beneficial. It seems like when I get to one, I can catch my breath! I also really liked the way everything was laid out in such a detailed format. I have already signed up for Simply Steno. I did my first lesson today. I felt well prepared. Thank you for your wonderful guidance. 

I really love your theory. I am a slow learner, and can’t devote as much time as I’d like, but I feel like I am learning the best theory out there. I am a self-study student hoping to enter Simply Steno soon!

I’ve really enjoyed your teaching and sense of humor, so I’m glad this worked out.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve chuckled out loud at your humor .

I am finding this theory much more enjoyable than the theory that I learned last year. This theory is much more proficient and makes sense to me. This theory is much easier for me to understand, and I actually get the pattern in the writing — the best way I can describe it.  I look for patterns in things, and in the Stratran theory the pattern is very easy to pick up and is consistent.  

I’m also enjoying the fact that writing briefs is being taught from the get-go, not in the middle after I’ve learned to write words then go back and relearn.   This saves me time and a lot of frustration! 

Thank you Marlene,

Maria P.
StarTran Online Student

I love StarTran Theory! It was very clear and made a lot of sense so I didn’t need much help. The audios were a challenge, but that’s how you learn. I practiced about one to two hours a day and finished Basic and Advanced in about six months.

I have previously attended online realtime classes…where I studied Phoenix Theory. The comments on your website are absolutely true. StarTran is much better and easier to learn.

I’m just finishing up the StarTran theory and have great things to say about it. I chose StarTran after looking into several other theories and examining other CR materials out there. The theory is really well organized, well presented, and well thought out. I also like the fact that the StarTran materials include a comprehensive set of practice tapes. The author of the theory, Marlene Struss, has been very helpful and quick to respond to questions.

Now that I’m in the field, I see the conflicts and problems other reporters have and I’m more thankful than ever that I learned StarTran, a truly conflict-free realtime theory.

I love my theory. I knew I had a good foundation, but didn’t know how good until I transferred to a new school. At my new school they were surprised at how clean my notes were. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

I was astonished at what they (my students) were able to do after three weeks. The theory is making perfect sense to them. They’re reading back wonderfully. We are just about to wind up the semester. The course went well. One student has passed 50 wpm Q&A and will probably pass 60 wpm next week; another student has passed 80 wpm at 96+% and will probably be writing close to 120 by next semester (she has also passed a 50 wpm at 100%). They are all good phonetic writers and the theory seems to be working well for them. Yeah!!!!

StarTran Theory is a remarkable piece of work. I was especially impressed with the Practice Habits at the beginning of each lesson. Those are brilliant.

StarTran is really conflict-free and thorough. I can see that students learning this theory will really have an advantage. You’ve really got an effective program.

I’d like to offer my compliments and congratulation. I do particularly like the way your theory is presented, with sample exercises after each principle. Congratulations on a great idea!

I am so Happy that I found StarTran! I was looking for an online program after the school I was attending did not offer the program anymore. I looked at all the different options and chose StarTran, and it has turned out to be Awesome. Mrs. Marlene is Amazing! She is very easy to talk to and very encouraging. I am still in the beginning stages, but I am learning so much and having fun with it.

I have enjoyed StarTran Online. I was able to complete the program within a year while working full-time. The theory concepts made total sense to me. I also appreciated that most of the dictations had various speed options. I liked that there were options available regarding outlines depending on what made most sense to you or how short/long you wanted to write. The instructor responds quickly to questions, and you will receive tests back with edits in a timely manner. I would recommend the program to a friend!

I found the instruction very clear and understandable. I would say there were some things I had to re-read a couple of times but not very many and not very often. I did mostly follow the seven steps. It made moving through the lessons very easy, knowing exactly what I needed to do each lesson. Instruction on technique was good. I would say certain things took some time to get used to but I never felt like I was doing it wrong

The briefs and phrases mostly made sense to me. There was enough repetition. Some briefs and phrases took a little longer to ‘click’ in my brain but writing them down helped me to recognize patterns in them. I liked learning the conflict resolution as I progressed through the lessons. I don’t think it would have been helpful to have to learn them at the end. There was lots of great [career] information at the beginning of a lot of the lessons and even more as I went into Advanced Theory.

All of my questions were answered in a timely and helpful manner. Marlene was always easy to contact and communicate with.

I definitely think the program is a great value! I did get what I expected and then some.

Marlene, thanks again for all your hard work. (Wish I’d had this theory from the get-go.)

StarTran Online has been a great way for me to start my education!  I researched many programs to determine which would be the best fit for me, and I have no regrets in my decision.  StarTran theory has provided me with a strong base of knowledge including the confidence to write out any word I hear, even unfamiliar words phonetically.  Throughout the program there were many briefs and phrases introduced, as well as shorter options for writing out longer words. Not knowing prior to theory how “short” of a writer I might have ultimately become, I feel like this has been the best of both worlds for me.  I enjoyed the self-direction of the program, yet never felt alone as Marlene was always responsive to any questions that I had.   I have recently started speed building and feel very prepared for the next steps in my journey!

There are quite a few theories and schools out there. Theory is your foundation, and it’s a big decision. Once I talked to Marlene, I knew StarTran would be the right fit for me.

I needed something online and flexible, since I also work full-time and have a family. StarTran is completely on your own schedule. You can log in any time of day or night. It’s also incredibly affordable.

From researching various online groups and attending the A to Z program, I had an idea of what I wanted. I wanted to learn a theory that taught briefs and phrases and a shorter way to write, but it also had to make sense. I’m an older student, and I had concerns that I wouldn’t be able to pick up ultra-short briefs like a younger student might. I was really pleased by how StarTran was taught. There are a ton of briefs and phrases, and they all make sense. They all build off of each other, so it is very seamless and natural. You can also choose to write shorter or write longer. StarTran offers a few different ways of writing a word, and you choose the way that makes sense to you. I feel like I am able to write short, and it all comes very naturally with this theory.

Another big issue for me was instructor availability and approachability. I wanted someone who would be responsive to questions and would not make me feel silly or that they were too busy to answer questions. Marlene went above and beyond. I honestly never had any questions about the content, because that was always explained very well in her instructions, but I sometimes had concerns and questions about the field of court reporting. She was always extremely positive and encouraging.

I just feel very grateful and thankful to Marlene and very glad I picked StarTran.