Galaxy S2 Text Shortcuts

I'm trying to add some text shortcuts on my phone, but the only way I can find to use this option is to turn on XT9 predictive text which I find very annoying because it puts a preview up of every word you're typing.

From what I've read this phone has a dictionary which you can add the shortcut words to but I can't find it.

Is there any way to do this without using XT9?

Thanks!