First Language Lessons
A scripted, four-level grammar program for grades 1–4 by Jessie Wise. It combines poem memorization, narration, copywork and oral grammar drills, and introduces sentence diagramming in Levels 3 and 4.
What is First Language Lessons?
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, often shortened to FLL, is a grammar series for grades 1–4 by Jessie Wise. Sara Buffington co-wrote Levels 3 and 4. Well-Trained Mind Press publishes it to support the classical approach described in The Well-Trained Mind. It teaches grammar the way young children learn best: out loud, in short bites, with lots of repetition. It also blends in Charlotte Mason touches such as poetry, narration and picture study.
How it works
Every lesson is a script. The parent reads the lines, and the child answers, repeats definitions or recites. A lesson might:
- review a memorized poem,
- teach a definition and have the child repeat it several times,
- practice with a few oral examples,
- end with a short narration of a fable or a famous painting, or a bit of copywork.
Levels 1 and 2 need only the teacher's book. Kids do their copywork on any lined paper. Levels 3 and 4 add a large-print student workbook for diagramming and written exercises. Lessons are short, and you can set your own pace through the year.
What it covers
| Level | Grade | Lessons | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 100 | Nouns, pronouns, capitalization, poems, fables |
| 2 | 2 | 100 | All eight parts of speech, dictation begins |
| 3 | 3 | 89 | Diagramming begins, workbook added |
| 4 | 4 | 85 | More diagramming, usage and sentence skills |
Grammar topics also include punctuation, plurals, suffixes, contractions and usage. FLL does not teach phonics, spelling or full composition. Add a writing program such as Writing With Ease.
Who it's best for
FLL fits classical homeschoolers, families with young kids who are not ready for much writing, and parents who like a word-for-word script. It is easy to teach to two siblings together in the early levels. Families who prefer relaxed conversation over recitation may find it too rigid. Kids who resist repetition may tire of it too.
Pricing at a glance
FLL is among the least expensive grammar programs. Levels 1 and 2 need one teacher's book each, listed at about $12 to $16 on the publisher's store as of October 2026. Levels 3 and 4 need an Instructor Guide ($32.95 list) and a Workbook ($24.95 list).
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Grammar curriculum is a common allowable expense in education savings account programs, though each program decides. See scholarships and ESAs by state, including Arizona's ESA and Florida scholarships. Save First Language Lessons to your Edulist wishlist, and you can apply once to the programs that fit.
How it compares
- Shurley English is also scripted and repetitive, but it uses jingles and sentence classification instead of diagramming, and it runs through grade 8.
- Fix It! Grammar teaches grammar through daily editing for older elementary and up.
- Essentials in Writing bundles grammar and writing in video lessons.
- IEW is the next step many classical families take for composition.
See more writing and grammar curriculum, classical homeschool curriculum and 1st grade homeschool curriculum.
Who First Language Lessons is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Classical homeschoolers following The Well-Trained Mind
- Young children who are not ready for lots of writing
- Parents who want a script and no prep
- Families pairing grammar with Writing With Ease
Look elsewhere if
- Kids who get bored with repetition and recitation
- Families who want independent workbook practice
- Parents who prefer open-ended Charlotte Mason-style discussion
First Language Lessons pros and cons
Pros
- Very low cost for Levels 1 and 2, with one non-consumable book each
- Fully scripted lessons that any parent can teach
- Builds memory through poems, definitions and lists
- Introduces diagramming gently in Levels 3 and 4
- Teacher books are non-consumable and work for siblings
Cons
- Heavy repetition that some kids find boring
- Parent must lead every lesson
- Structure can crowd out discussion and narration
- Covers grammar and usage only, not spelling, phonics or full composition
What’s included
- Four levels for grades 1–4: 100, 100, 89 and 85 lessons
- Scripted parent-child dialogues with recitation
- Poem memorization and narration from fables and art
- All eight parts of speech by the end of Level 2
- Sentence diagramming begins in Level 3
- Optional audio companion for Levels 1–2
First Language Lessons levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Grade 1 | 100 lessons, mostly oral. Nouns, proper nouns, pronouns and capitalization, with poems, fables and picture narration. Minimal copywork. One teacher's book. |
| Level 2 | Grade 2 | 100 lessons. Completes all eight parts of speech. Dictation begins at lesson 22. One teacher's book. |
| Level 3 | Grade 3 | 89 lessons. Sentence diagramming begins, with more written work in a separate 345-page workbook. |
| Level 4 | Grade 4 | 85 lessons. Deeper diagramming, usage and writing skills, with a 380-page workbook. |
How much does First Language Lessons cost?
Levels 1 and 2 each need one teacher's book; students do copywork on any lined paper. Levels 3 and 4 need an Instructor Guide (list $32.95) plus a Workbook (list $24.95). As of October 2026, Well-Trained Mind Press listed Level 1 at about $11.86–$16.11 depending on format and sale pricing.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 or 4 Instructor Guide (list) | $32.95 | One-time | — |
| Level 3 or 4 Workbook (list) | $24.95 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No free trial. The publisher posts free sample lessons.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers value the scripts, the short lessons and the developmental sequence. The most common criticism is repetition, and some parents find it too structured.
Common praise
- Short, easy-to-teach lessons
- Builds a solid grammar base early
- Large-print workbooks are not intimidating
Common complaints
- Repetition can feel excessive
- Too scripted for some families
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · first language lessons · simplehomeblessings.com · first language lessons
First Language Lessons family reviews
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First Language Lessons FAQs
Who wrote First Language Lessons?
Jessie Wise wrote the series, with Sara Buffington co-authoring Levels 3 and 4. It is published by Well-Trained Mind Press and supports the classical approach in The Well-Trained Mind.
Is First Language Lessons Christian or secular?
Cathy Duffy rates it secular but Christian friendly. Lessons focus on grammar, poems and fables rather than religious content.
Do I need a workbook for First Language Lessons?
Not for Levels 1 and 2, which are mostly oral and need only the teacher's book. Levels 3 and 4 add more written work, so each requires a student workbook used alongside the Instructor Guide.
When does First Language Lessons teach diagramming?
Sentence diagramming starts in Level 3 and continues in Level 4. Levels 1 and 2 cover the parts of speech, capitalization, punctuation and usage orally.
How long is each First Language Lessons level?
Levels 1 and 2 have 100 lessons each, Level 3 has 89 and Level 4 has 85. Each level is designed as one school year, and the short lessons make it easy to adjust the pace.
What pairs well with First Language Lessons?
Writing With Ease, from the same publisher, covers composition through narration, copywork and dictation. You will also need separate phonics or spelling and handwriting programs.
Can ESA or scholarship money pay for First Language Lessons?
Often, as curriculum, but each program decides. Save it to your Edulist wishlist and check your state's scholarship page for the current rules.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- welltrainedmind.com · first language lessons
- welltrainedmind.com · first language lessons level 1
- welltrainedmind.com · first language lessons level 2
- welltrainedmind.com · first language lessons level 3 instructor guide
- welltrainedmind.com · first language lessons level 3 workbook scratch dent
- welltrainedmind.com · first language lessons level 4 student workbook
- cathyduffyreviews.com · first language lessons
- christianbook.com · 339443
- s3.amazonaws.com · fll1sample.pdf
- simplehomeblessings.com · first language lessons