The Living Language Academy
Mrs. Shiela's Advanced Language & Writing courses are designed to help budding authors understand and master the art of language through thinking deeply and communicating effectively in writing and speaking.
Her past and current students have won writing and debate competitions, have published blogs and are writing for the school newspaper. Many have won leadership positions because of their strong essays and interviewing skills.
The classes are 75 minutes and are interactive, focusing on practical application and effective usage of the language and writing concepts learned.
Student notebooks are used for in class and out of class assignments. Homework includes learning and applying language devices, vocabulary word studies, journaling and copia exercises, and writing and editing assignments.
Whether a struggling or avid writer, everyone would greatly benefit from Ms. Shiela's unique method of writing instruction.
~homeschool mom
9th Grade
Advanced Language & Composition
This hands on small group class focuses on understanding and communicating the English language through writing.
We begin by learning the history, structure and artistry of language communication then move on to study the main genres of writing while focusing on the language arts elements that make each unique and beautiful.
Students will learn effective literary and language devices and will compose original works, imitating the models studied while strengthening their language usage and writing skills.
The art of variation, editing and paraphrasing are areas of focus to help the students develop and refine their unique writing voice.
Weekly Live Class Meets via Zoom:
Wednesdays 3:30-4:45 ET
*In addition to short, in-class writing assignments, students will study and model a variety of written works, such as: poems, tall tales, fables, ballads, historical narratives, biographies, memoirs, editorials and personal commentaries.
*Students are taught to self-edit their work, perfecting three writing assignments each semester. Mrs. Shiela will give editorial suggestions for the student to consider incorporating into their final draft.
*Students will compose six formal writing assignments to be submitted for high school accreditation requirements.
- History of Language: from orality to literacy
- Structure of Written Language: from the work to the word
- Artistry of Written Language: voice, language usage & editing
- Tradition of Oral Language: folklore types & purpose
- Genre of Poetic Language: poetry's craft & artistry
- Language & Literary Devices: types, effectiveness & usage
- Narrative Language: types, purpose & effectiveness
- Persuasive Language: types, purpose & effectiveness
Monthly Course Topics
10th-11th Grade
Advanced Language & Composition
Not only comprehending a text's meaning but understanding its unique chosen language and usage is critical to deeply grasping a work of writing.
This small discussion-oriented class focuses on understanding the structure and artistry of some of the best crafted works of writing.
We'll study several timeless works to discover and interact with the authors' ideas, identifying and how the specific structure, literary devices and language arts elements chosen make the work stylistic and effective.
Students will deepen their reading and thinking skills as they analyze and mark each book using a whole language, immersion approach. They'll edit and refine their writing as they apply what they've learned to imitate the models they've studied.
Editing and writing variations will be a focus to help students refine and master word artistry and language communication skills.
Weekly Live Class Meets via Zoom:
Wednesday 2:00-3:15 ET
*Students will submit six formal writing assignments for high school accreditation requirements.
My students work hard to bring their ideas to life, editing and refining their writing to make it powerful and inspiring. Their ideas deserve to heard so, I'm offering my 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to bring their voice to the world through publishing their writing on my student guest blog.
12th Grade
Advanced Language & Composition
Not only comprehending a text's meaning but understanding its unique chosen language and usage is critical to deeply grasping a work of writing.
This small discussion-oriented class focuses on understanding the structure and artistry of some of the best crafted works of writing.
We'll study several timeless works to discover and interact with the authors' ideas, identifying and how the specific structure, literary devices and language arts elements chosen make the work stylistic and effective.
Students will deepen their reading and thinking skills as they analyze and mark each book using a whole language, immersion approach. They'll edit and refine their writing as they apply what they've learned to imitate the models they've studied.
Editing and writing variations will be a focus to help students refine and master word artistry and language communication skills.
*Effective personal narrative writing will be a focus first semester as students write and perfect their Common App Personal Statement and supplemental essays.
Weekly Live Class Meets via Zoom:
Class day and time TBD
*Students will submit six formal writing assignments for high school accreditation requirements.
My students work hard to bring their ideas to life, editing and refining their writing to make it powerful and inspiring. Their ideas deserve to heard so, I'm offering my 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to bring their voice to the world through publishing their writing on my student guest blog.
Testimonials
My daughter has grown as a person, as a writer, and as a communicator under Shiela's instruction. Shiela cares about her students and it shows in every interaction she has with them. Her excellent raptor and incredible writing curriculum have made this a class unlike any other. Shiela has unlocked the brilliance in my child and given her the tools to share what she thinks in the most beautiful ways. My daughter is so much more confident and able to articulate her thoughts and opinions well. She enjoys writing for the first time because she understands how to express herself artistically and understands the rules of grammar. My daughter's writing is shared, appreciated, self-edited, peer-edited and edited by Shiela until each piece of writing is perfect. Students are taught to appreciate the editing process instead of dread it, which is a missing component in other writing classes. My daughter spoke to a group of 200 people recently and her poise, articulation, and confidence all spoke to an amazing year with Shiela. My daughter is not the same person she was when she started this class! It's been an incredible year of growth!
Holly | homeschool mom
Ms. Shiela’s class was a lot of fun. Learning about the art of
writing was interesting—as well as helpful—and I learned a ton!
We learned how writing is a blank piece of paper that can
eventually portray ideas, share feelings, tell stories, and
thoroughly educate. We learned about the murmuring of the beez
(onomatopoeia), the bro in the flow (formulaic language and
poetry), the way we can create a place, create a character, and
create a world (anaphora), how words are as valuable as gold
(simile), and how to make the reader feel, smell, hear, see, and
taste (imagery). Thank you Ms. Shiela for an amazing learning
experience.
Skyler | 10th grade homeschool student
I have taken Ms. Shiela's class for one year and I can honestly say that it has been life changing. Her approach to teaching has brought so much confidence to my speaking and writing skills. Ms. Shiela spends time helping me learn as much as I can and become the best writer I can be. She gives feedback in a positive way, inspiring me to do my best. I will be forever grateful for all I have learned and all I still have the opportunity to learn through her classes.
Whitney | 11th grade homeschool student
2026-2027 Class Details
- All classes have 30 weeks of lessons.
- Classes begin September 2nd and end April 28th. Students who miss class may access the class recording.
- Tuition for the weekly live class is $1500 for the year ($750 per semester).
- Tuition can be paid in full before the semester begins or quarterly.
- There's no registration fee, and payments may be made by Zelle transfer: shiela.catanzarite@gmail.com.
- Deadline to register is August 1st.