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Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer vs First Language Lessons

Two homeschool language arts programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: what each one teaches, how your child feels about writing, and how much you'll teach.

Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information

The short answer

Choose Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer if…

What your child needs: Writing
What your child needs: Spelling

Choose First Language Lessons if…

What your child needs: Grammar
What your child needs: A complete program

Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.

Compare for my child

Side by side

	Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer	First Language Lessons
Grades	1st–4th	1st–4th
Covers	writing	grammar
Approach	Classical: narration, copywork and dictation	Classical and Charlotte Mason blend, scripted oral grammar
Who teaches	The parent teaches from a scripted guide	The parent teaches from a scripted guide
Parent prep	Very low (fully scripted)	Very low (fully scripted)
Screen time	Mostly offline (books and paper)	Mostly offline (books and paper)
Video lessons	Not yet checked	Not yet checked
Faith	No religious content	No religious content
Cost	About $23-47 per level depending on edition (e.g. Level 2 Complete $23.37)	Level 1 $18.95, Level 2 $19.95, Level 3/4 workbooks $24.95
Parents love	Gentle, open-and-go, builds toward composition Fully scripted, very low prep Works well for reluctant or anxious writers	Gentle, scripted oral lessons, low prep Blends classical grammar with Charlotte Mason narration Painless for a parent new to teaching grammar
Common complaints	Heavy copywork can be tedious for a struggling writer Doesn't teach grammar directly Ends at grade 4, needs a follow-on program	Very basic for advanced kids Ends around grade 4, needs a follow-on program Not much independent work for the child

What parents say

Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer

Parents describe this as a gentle on-ramp to writing: the parent reads and the child narrates back, then copies and takes dictation, so composition builds gradually with the pressure taken off. It's about 10 minutes a day and very low prep. Heavy copywork can be tedious for a child whose handwriting is already a struggle, and it doesn't teach grammar directly.

First Language Lessons

Parents new to teaching grammar like how painless this is: fully scripted oral lessons walk you through exactly what to say, blending classical grammar memorization with Charlotte Mason narration and picture study. It's quite basic for advanced kids and ends around 4th grade, so most families need a follow-on program afterward.

Questions parents ask

Is Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer or First Language Lessons better?

Neither is better for every child. Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer is the stronger fit for writing; spelling. First Language Lessons is the stronger fit for grammar; a complete program.

What does each one cover?

Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer: writing. First Language Lessons: grammar.

Which costs less, Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer or First Language Lessons?

Writing With Ease / The Complete Writer: About $23-47 per level depending on edition (e.g. Level 2 Complete $23.37). First Language Lessons: Level 1 $18.95, Level 2 $19.95, Level 3/4 workbooks $24.95.

Sources (13)

Summaries are in our own words.