The Arts of Language Podcast

In this week’s episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker give practical suggestions for keeping your students actively involved in learning. Encouraging discussions, allowing time for students to ask questions, and using props in the classroom are some of the ideas they share that can be applied to any teaching situation—from a homeschool to a classroom to music lessons. Be encouraged as the school...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker continue to discuss how to prepare students for college and life beyond college. Julie describes ways to improve productivity and retain more of what students are learning. Listen to find out about work islands and Julie’s Dr Pepper email checker. GO TO PART 1   Referenced Materials The One-Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud Getting Things Done by Davi...

In the first episode of a two-part series, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share strategies for the skills needed to succeed in college and in life after college. Julie outlines a plan and provides resources for students to prepare for their future.  GO TO  PART 2 Referenced Materials “Most Colleges Enroll Many Students Who Aren’t Prepared for Higher Education” University-Ready Writing “Do Two Pare...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss seven tools IEW provides to help teachers and teaching parents prepare for an excellent school year. Learn about the new support webinars and the history behind the Magnum Opus Magazine . Be equipped and encouraged to start the new school year! Referenced Materials Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Webinar Arc...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk to Monica Swanson about her new book, Becoming Homeschoolers . Monica shares her heart for homeschooling and the blessings of homeschooling for parents as well as the benefits for students. This episode will encourage new and veteran homeschoolers alike. Referenced Materials Monica Swanson Becoming Homeschoolers Episode 361: Raising Amazing Kids...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker open the mailbag (or the email inbox) and read letters IEW has received from students, parents, and teachers. Listen to this episode to find out how one student saved a library after writing an IEW assignment! Some students sent Andrew samples of their work, and he shares some excerpts on this podcast. We love hearing from our customers! Referenced M...

In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker answer the question: What should I buy? They simplify the steps for implementing IEW’s Structure and Style materials in your homeschool or classroom. Referenced Materials Freedomshipping How to Get Started with IEW Request a Magalog Structure and Style® for Students Free Writing Lessons Theme-Based Writing Lessons Structure and Style for Students Over...

In this podcast episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss another of IEW’s core values. When Andrew first started the Institute for Excellence at Writing, he decided not to offer discounts on products. Why has this remained important to him over the years? Discover the answer and learn a little bit of IEW history in this episode. Referenced Materials Episode 423: The IEW 100% Satisfaction Gu...

“Hard work is immensely satisfying.” In this week’s podcast Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the mentally hard work of reading books like Moby-Dick . Andrew suggests that entertainment is not the primary purpose to read a challenging classic. If you aren’t already reading classics, listen for some of Andrew’s and Julie’s suggestions for how to start.   Referenced Materials Moby-Dick; Or, The...

It’s time for another Live Ask Andrew Anything episode! Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they answer questions from listeners. They were joined by Nicki Truesdell, who asked “How much grammar and writing do you think is necessary throughout the years of K-12?” Andrew and Julie also answer questions about Structure and Style ®  for Students , The Phonetic Zoo , instructor accreditation, and m...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how both dads and grads can benefit from University-Ready Writing . Dads who are in the business world will benefit from grads who complete the course and become better writers. Listen to find out the top three things that make this course worth the investment for graduates and those working in the business world.  Referenced Materials University-Ready Writin...

With the end of the school year comes new opportunities to spend time outside. Listen to this week’s episode as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss furnishing the mind with time spent outdoors. We all know that spending time outside is good for children. How might spending time outside also improve students’ writing skills?  Referenced Materials Episode 248: Nature Deficit Disorder, Part 1 Natu...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker welcome Kim Cromer to talk about the importance and lifelong impact of learning speech and debate skills. Kim is the Executive Director of NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate (National Christian Forensics and Communications Association) and serves as a member on the Qualification Committee, providing vision and operational oversight for the organization.  Referenced...

In this week’s episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker encourage parents and teachers to take time over the summer to hone their craft of teaching, focusing on The Great TWSS Adventure. Evan Smith, IEW Accreditation Specialist, shares more about this opportunity to work through Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® during the same time frame when others all over the globe are doing the same thing....

This week’s episode is about preventing summer evaporation! Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss ideas for summer learning that won’t lead to long faces and complaints. From state history field trips to scavenger hunts, IEW’s customer service team gave Julie a host of ideas for a summer of fun and learning. Referenced Materials 1000 Hours Outside blog Episode 367: 1000 Hours Outside...

An encomium is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly. In this week’s episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker brainstorm ways to show appreciation to teachers and mothers. They also reminisce about teachers who influenced them. Has your student ever written an encomium to show appreciation for you or a teacher? Listen to this episode to hear Andrew’s and Julie’s topi...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the IEW® 100% satisfaction guarantee and how the return policy works. Learn why Andrew established this policy and why IEW does not ever discount materials.  Referenced Materials Satisfaction Guarantee Return Policy Transcript of Podcast Episode 423 If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com Perhaps your question will be answered at the ne...

If you have been following along all year, we have made it to the final episode in this year’s series on the unit models. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss Unit 9: Formal Critique. In some ways, it is the culmination of all the units. Explore the value of learning the skills of analysis and writing about literature even if students are not planning to pursue a literary career. Re...

In this week’s episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker are joined by Heidi Thomas and Joseph Tabenkin. Heidi is part of IEW's Product Development team. This past year she and her team have worked alongside Joseph, a product and software developer, to create IEW Gradebook, an online tool designed to help teachers grade more efficiently and effectively. Listen in for exciting details! Referenced Mat...

It’s time for another Live Ask Andrew Anything episode! Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they answer questions from listeners. They were joined by Ashley from Joyful Noise Learning, who asked how to answer a child who asks, “Why do I have to learn writing when I am not going to be a writer when I grow up?” Andrew also shares what he is reading to his grandchildren as well as a few other book...

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the goodness of memory. Andrew shares his experiences with memorization and some of the reasons behind his passion for it. They introduce a new tool that will help you furnish the mind with poetry, songs, math facts, and more.  Referenced Materials Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Mastery Learning, Ability Develop...

In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the importance of learning the basic essay model even when many say it is outdated or formulaic. Learn how to take the basic essay model and expand it to a super-essay. Andrew even discusses the name of the longest essay model that uses one of his favorite words. Referenced Materials “De-Confusing Essays” article by Andrew Pudewa Unit 8: Easy...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker give a quick overview of how to start with IEW before diving into the question of how long students should use IEW courses. Students sometimes complain that they are doing the same thing over and over again. Learn why Andrew recommends the repetition of the Structure and Style syllabus over multiple years and whether students will ever graduate from the checklist. Re...

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker spend this episode sharing the legacy of Dr. James B. Webster. Hear the stories behind the unit models and a few personal anecdotes from Andrew’s long friendship with him. As Andrew said, “If you have benefitted from IEW in any way, you can be grateful for his brilliance, his vision that all children could learn to write well, and his decades-long friendship with me—...

In this Homeschool 101 episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the importance of attending homeschooling conventions. They reminisce about the conventions they have attended and their favorite things to do when attending a convention. Andrew shares his heart on why home educators and grandparents should make the time and put forth the effort to attend a homeschool convention.    Referenced...