The Arts of Language Podcast

  In this Laying the Foundation episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about how the Structure and Style® methodology removes the most frequent complaint from students: I don’t know what to write! Listen to this conversation to hear the history of the philosophy behind the key word outline and source texts.   Referenced Materials Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Web...

  This year marks the 250th anniversary of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the rich heritage of thought and compelling writing of the Founding Fathers. This episode also includes a look back at a source text about Thomas Jefferson and music from the old Student Writing Intensive course.    Referenced Materials A Great Awakening   Thomas Jeffer...

  In this Homeschool 101 episode, Andrew Pudewa sits down with Jonathan Brush to learn more about the Unbound program, a Christian hybrid education company that prepares high school students and graduates to launch through hands-on projects, practical skills training, and professional development. Listen to this episode to hear Andrew’s excitement for Unbound and to be inspired by Jonathan’s passi...

  Jeff Nease joins Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker in the studio to share his excitement about the Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® workshop which will be held August 4–6, 2026. They discuss the benefits of completing this training, the incentive to attend live, and the support the IEW Schools Department will provide throughout the workshop and after to assist you in training your stu...

  While this episode may be short and sweet, it is full of information about the IEW Annual Educators’ Conference taking place July 25 online and on site in our studio. Listen to Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the talks Andrew will present, the benefits of attending live, and more.   Referenced Materials IEW Annual Educators’ Conference registration and web page IEW Annual Educators’ Confe...

  In this Laying the Foundation episode, Julie Walker talks with Denise Kelley, IEW’s director of product development, about the process of updating Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®, IEW’s flagship teacher training seminar. They share the features that make the third edition simpler, easier to use, and more effective. Listen to this episode to learn the who, why, and what of this update.  Re...

  Listen to this episode to learn Andrew Pudewa’s history of training with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and how Andrew recognized in Dr. Webster’s Structure and Style® methodology a kind of Suzuki Method™ for English composition. Based on modeling and imitation, a sequential development of techniques, periodic review of composition structures, and an emphasis on mastery prior to progression, Dr. Webster’s...

  Andrew Pudewa answers your questions about the difference between editing and grading a paper, what “hands off content” means, and how to help students improve their use of dress-ups and openers at the point of need. Julie Walker ends the episode with a special announcement about an upcoming event, so be sure to listen all the way to the end!   Referenced Materials But . . . but . . . but . . ....

  In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker interview Debbi Hall, IEW’s Educational Consultant for Independent Study Schools/Programs. They discuss what independent study schools are and how IEW supports them. Debbi shares her enthusiasm for assisting teachers and teaching parents with their students’ needs.   Referenced Materials Debbi Hall Independent Study Charter Schools Try IEW's Top Cu...

  In this Laying the Foundation episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss one of the foundational skills that IEW teaches along with writing—asking questions. Andrew reviews the structural units to show how the units use questions to help students with “what to write about.” In the process, students build thinking skills.  Referenced Materials Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® “The Powe...

  Go to Part 1 . In the second part of this recording from the 2026 IEW Winter Retreat, a panel of Schools Department team members join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to continue discussing tips and tricks for avoiding the four deadly errors in the classroom. They end with a conversation about AI in the classroom.   Referenced Materials IEW Winter Retreat recording on YouTube Four Deadly Errors of...

  Go to Part 2 . In this recording from the 2026 IEW Winter Retreat, a panel of Schools Department team members join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to discuss tips and tricks for avoiding the four deadly errors in the classroom. They give classroom-tested strategies for using IEW tools to make writing accessible and enjoyable for every student.    Referenced Materials “Process versus Product” by A...

  In this fast-paced episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker chat with Ben Greenfield, who was in one of Andrew’s first writing classes. The discussion covers an array of topics, from health and wellness to parenting to homeschooling and family life. As the author of the Boundless series, Ben exudes boundless energy and excitement for life. Referenced Materials Ben Greenfield Life website Ben Gree...

  Is the workplace trend of quiet quitting spilling over into education? Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker for a discussion about motivation and how to help kids develop greater attention spans and a desire to learn. Andrew talks about the importance of helping students develop hobbies and learn to make and do real things away from screens. Referenced Materials “Are Students 'Quiet Quitting'? Wh...

  “If the children can’t go to the walls, the walls must come to the children.” Listen to this episode to learn the history of the popular Portable Walls™ products. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share the inspiration behind these handy resources and the variations that have been developed through the years.     Referenced Materials Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Portable Walls™ for Struct...

  “Don’t start a sentence with because!” is a common refrain among teachers. In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss why this word is important and how it fits into IEW’s list of stylistic techniques. Andrew considers how this word promotes thinking and why teaching students to use it provides exercise in overcoming awkwardness in writing. Why else should you listen to this episode...

  In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the prompts for the annual IEW Writing Contest. Listen to this episode to learn why does IEW have a writing contest, what the value of entering a writing contest is for students, and how a writing contest fits into the types of motivation. Andrew breaks down the prompts and talks about how a writer might approach this essay.   Referenced Ma...

  How do you motivate your students to do more than the bare minimum? Are there ways to help your students write better topic-clincher sentences? Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss these questions and more in another Ask Andrew Anything episode. You never know what question Julie may ask!   Referenced Materials Episode 478: What’s in Your Audible Account? Episode 231:The Dyslexic...

Why is it important to teach grammar? How does grammar help with comprehension and skills beyond just knowing the parts of speech? Listen as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker dive into this valuable subject. Andrew shares a bit of the history behind the Fix It!® Grammar series and talks about why it is an effective method of teaching grammar. Referenced Materials But . . . but . . . but . . . What ab...

  In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker highlight the IEW Checklist Generator™ that allows teachers and teaching parents to customize their students’ checklists and to provide clear and reasonable expectations for assignments. They also discuss the intangible benefits of using the checklist, such as helping students organize their work and learn responsibility to “do what you check and c...

This episode is a recording of Julie Walker presenting the EZ+1: IEW's Step-by-Step Teaching Method webinar. Learning to write is foundational to a child’s education, but for many students it is confusing and frustrating. Likewise, for some teachers, training students in composition can seem overly complex and burdensome. However, teaching students to write well is not only possible, but it can be...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the history of the IEW’s methodology and how the checklist makes it possible for students to enjoy writing. Julie also shares about the IEW Checklist Generator™, IEW® Gradebook, and instructor accreditation.   Referenced Materials Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster Episode 416: A Tribute to Dr. James B. Webster “The Online IEW...

Picture a hall filled with row upon row of booths showcasing curriculum, activity kits, and books! Add many homeschool parents (and maybe some grandparents), helpful consultants, and plenty of engaging speakers. This is the ideal recipe for a refreshing and inspiring weekend at a homeschool convention. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss why you should attend a conference and how t...

  Andrew Pudewa insists, “If you're ever feeling a little low on hope for the future, get yourself to a speech and debate tournament and just see young people flourishing in every way.” In this episode, learn why he believes this as he and Julie Walker interview three of the NCFCA 2025 Champions: Abbagail Fagot, Pierce Stanton, and Jonathan Paul. These students share how they started with speech a...

As we begin a new year, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down to talk about a question that is on every educator’s mind: how and when to use AI? With the swiftly changing technology, Andrew notes that our conclusions today may change in a month. With that in mind, he provides some suggestions for how to think about the use of AI and how to best prepare students to use AI well.   Referenced Mater...