There is described a software training system including a computer, a cassette tape player system, and software for running the computer. This software includes the target program which the student is learning to use and courseware which defines a multiplicity of events which correspond to different portions of a predefined training lesson.The tape player system is attached by an interface to one of the computer's ports. The interface allows the computer to turn the tape player unit on and off, and also transmits keystroke data from the left track of a stereo cassette which is mounted in the tape player to the computer. Oral instructions or other sounds recorded on the right track of the stereo cassette are played over a speaker. The training system works by alternately turning on the tape to give the student oral instructions and to get keystroke from data from the tape, and then turning off the tape player while the student enters keystrokes, for use in the target software program, which follow the oral instructions previously given.The keystrokes entered by the student are compared with a filter specified by the currently active event in the courseware. If a correct entry is made, the tape player is turned back on and the lesson continues. Certain predefined keystrokes from the tape player cause a new event from the courseware to be selected and for the tape player to be turned off. Furthermore, if the student fails to make the correct keystrokes within a preselected time period the training system enters the correct answer for him and proceeds with the next portion of the training session.