The Arts of Language Podcast

Outlines, checklists, grammar, oh my! This week, Andrew tackles these topics by answering technical questions submitted by our listeners. Tune in to hear Andrew provide insight on writing the key word outline, and learn the importance of the checklist as it builds mastery over the stylistic techniques.  Referenced Materials: "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing" Audio Talk Article "Process...

Last week, Andrew and Julie addressed the challenge of reaching reluctant writers and discussed the importance of separating complexity for these students. In this episode, Andrew and Julie finish the conversation by turning to the power of the checklist. Tune in as the duo discusses the benefits of using the stylistic techniques, and learn how the checklist provides direction, which allows the st...

Frustration and tears are things that many students experience when writing. Consequently, it can be difficult for teachers and parents to encourage these students to complete the task. For the next two weeks, Andrew and Julie will discuss how to reach the reluctant writer. To begin the series, Andrew talks about the importance of understanding  why  your student is reluctant so that you can best...

Email, snail mail, mail bag! Once again Andrew and Julie open and read mail sent from students, teachers, and parents. In this delightful episode students share how confident they are since learning IEW's writing method, and teachers and parents express gratitude for the transformation they've witnessed in their students' writing ability. By the way, many of the students wrote their letters using...

Are you hoping to enrich the time spent with your students at home? Tune in to this week's episode! Andrew and Julie continue the series on homeschooling help. This episode, the duo lays out some practical tips for parents when educating at home. Be encrouaged as Andrew and Julie share the importance of setting realistic expectations and focusing on the main priorites.  REFERENCED MATERIALS: "Home...

Andrew has been going through his top read of each year. But does he have a top read of the decade? He just might! With insight and context Andrew and Julie continue down the list of Andrew's top reads from the years 2013 through 2020. Since Andrew hasn't picked his top read of 2021, he instead talks about books that have helped shape his health and well-being during this year.   Go to PART 1  | ...

Once Andrew finished the book, he immediately went back to page one and read it again. Which book was it? Tune in to this episode to find out! Starting from 2007, Andrew and Julie continue down the list of Andrew's top book of the year. Andrew will discuss books that helped shape some of his best known talks, and he will also discuss fictional books, emphasizing the value of the genre and the impo...

With reading being one of the language arts, it is an important topic of discussion to Andrew and Julie. Have you ever wondered what books Andrew has read over the past two decades? Tune in to part one of this three-part series as Andrew and Julie talk about the value of reading, and then go through Andrew's top book of the year from the years 2000 to 2006. You'll also get to hear the context and...

Being great admirers of her and her work, Andrew and Julie are honored to welcome author and public speaker Dr. Carol Swain to the podcast. To start off, Dr. Swain shares her backstory and variety of credentials. Be inspired by Dr. Swain's incredible journey of hard work in becoming a great communicator, and listen to her message to parents on education and raising great thinkers.  REFERENCED MATE...

"The teacher's primary job is to be an example." Beyond academics, a classroom is a place where students learn values, or as Anna Ingham called them, "the intangibles." In this insightful episode Andrew and Julie discuss the importance of modeling good character for your students and talk about some of the intangible lessons Andrew tries to instill when teaching writing.  REFERENCED MATERIALS "Tal...

It's time for another Ask Andrew Anything! This week, Julie asks Andrew questions submitted from the attendees of our writing conference. From questions on teaching in a mixed-age group to inquiries about implementing the checklist, Andrew responds with suggestions and insight.  Referenced Materials: "Ask Andrew Anything"  IEW's 2021 Writing Conference   Structure and Style® for Students Remember...

Does the checklist stiffen creativity in students? With this being a common concern, Andrew and Julie address it and continue their conversation regarding misunderstandings about IEW's stylistic techniques. Whether your student is in grade school, middle school, or high school, learn how the checklist provides students with the opportunity to explore and understand language.   GO TO  PART 1 REFERE...

Is using "said" never allowed? Not at all! In this podcast Andrew and Julie address this and other misunderstandings about implementing IEW's stylistic techniques. Tune in to the first episode of this two-part series as Andrew provides insight about our methodology and explains the powerful purposes of the checklist and banned word lists.  REFERENCED MATERIALS: "Addressing Misunderstandings about...

With seventy-four countries participating, IEW held a virtual writing conference last month. This week, we are posting one of the recordings from that conference. In this recording Andrew and Julie discuss the different ways to teach writing using Structure and Style. Stay tuned until the end, where Andrew provides insightful answers to questions that were submitted live from the audience!  REFERE...

Over recent years, more and more parents are enrolling their students in a hybrid school. Because of this, Andrew and Julie welcome hybrid schools manager Laura House. Tune in to hear how the dynamic of hybrid programs might flow, and learn how Laura and her team assess the needs of different schools.  REFERENCED MATERIALS: "Learn about IEW’s Hybrid Schools Division" Laura House Debbi Hall Teachin...

Having homeschooled all their children, Andrew and Julie provide suggestions and share their insight on instilling an environment of learning in the home. Whether you're new to home education or a seasoned homeschooling parent, tune in as the duo discuss the great opportunity of reading aloud as a family, and be encouraged by their advice of focusing on the next positive step for your students.  R...

Picking up from last week, Andrew and Julie turn to the third element of the conversation: care in the classroom. Whether you are a schoolteacher or a teaching parent, learn how prioritizing and filling yourself allows you to overflow with love towards your students and children. Stay tuned to hear the duo discuss how they have transformed their lifestyles, and glean how self-care has helped them...

Last year, Andrew and Julie aired a webinar on how to implement culture, curriculum, and care in your home or classroom. For the next two weeks, Andrew and Julie will hone in on these topics. Listen in on the conversation as Andrew unpacks what culture is, and learn how teachers and parents can use curriculum to accomplish the goal of instilling refined culture in their students and children. REFE...

For teachers and parents, it can be easy to be concerned about your student meeting the expectations set. In this episode Andrew and Julie address the concern and discuss the different stages of learning for students. Gain insight on how helping them during each stage, whether it be a cute or an awkward phase, is important in developing competent communicators, and learn the importance of believin...

With summer just around the corner, many parents and teachers are wondering how to help their students to continue building their writing and thinking skills. Tune in to this week's podcast as Andrew and Julie provide suggestions on how to incorporate and encourage learning in a fun manner throughout the summer.  REFERENCED MATERIALS: "Summer Writing Fun with Structure and Style" Teaching Writing:...

Every ten episodes, Andrew answers just about any question submitted by our listeners. This week, Andrew replies to inquires with clarity and insight—from what's the best stategy when editing papers to when is the right time to graduate your students from the checklist. Stay tuned until the end to hear Andrew's touching response to what brings him the most joy at IEW.  Referenced Materials: Lingui...

At what point does content matter more than Structure and Style? This week Andrew and Julie delve into the topic and discuss the importance of being able to communicate effectively in order to express content successfully. Be inspired as Andrew shares the power that language holds, and learn the importance of expanding your students' capacity to think as it will enable them to use language in a wa...

Last week, Andrew and Julie discussed the four forms of relevancy when it comes to motivation. Sharing with you their knowledge based on experience, Andrew and Julie discuss how motivation relates to classroom management. From establishing connections with your students to minimizing distractions for them, Andrew provides strategies to help you in managing the classroom.   GO TO  PART 1 REFERENCED...

How can teachers keep their students motivated in the classroom? For the next two weeks, Andrew and Julie hone in on the topic and discuss classroom management and motivation. In part one of the series, the duo focus on the four forms of relevancy when it comes to motivating students. Tune in to hear Andrew share how capitalizing on your students' interests is an important aspect in keeping them e...

Having participated in countless conventions, Andrew and Julie reminisce about past events in IEW's history. Andrew also offers teachers and teaching parents ways to skillfully generate their own lesson plans. Join us this week to hear about the growth of IEW's products, and listen for the questions that Andrew asks himself before imagining lesson plans for his students. REFERENCED MATERIALS:   Ho...