Sentence Frames

🧱 Sentence Frames: Why They Matter and How to Use Them

One of the most effective tools in your early language learning is the sentence frame—a simple, predictable sentence structure that helps you learn new vocabulary in meaningful context. In Level 1, sentence frames form the foundation of your comprehension and help you avoid the mistake of learning vocabulary in isolation.

🔍 Why Sentence Frames Matter

When you hear new vocabulary as part of a complete sentence, your brain begins to associate that word with natural patterns of speech—sound, rhythm, grammar, and meaning. Sentence frames offer just enough structure for your brain to grasp what’s happening while still allowing room for new information to be introduced.

Using sentence frames helps you:

• Hear real language in context
• Avoid overwhelming yourself with too many variables at once
• Build familiarity with basic grammar without studying it directly
• Focus on listening and responding, not memorizing isolated words

🧠 How Sentence Frames Work

In each Level 1 language session, you’ll use a 1-2 sentence frames repeatedly while introducing new vocabulary. This gives your brain a predictable structure to latch onto, so you can focus your attention on the new word being introduced.

For example, your helper might say:

• “Point to the banana.”
• “Point to the apple.”
• “Point to the orange.”

Since the frame (“Point to the ___”) stays the same, you can concentrate on recognizing the vocabulary item that’s changing.

Over time, you’ll rotate through a set of basic frames to expand your understanding of grammar, word order, and sentence types.

🗣️ Examples of Level 1 Sentence Frames

Here are some examples of sentence frames you can use:

1. Point to the banana.
2. This is the banana.
3. That is the banana.
4. Pick up the banana.
5. Put down the banana.
6. Show me the banana.
7. Where is the banana?
8. Here is the banana.
9. Put the banana beside/on top of/under the table.
10. Where is the woman holding the banana?
11. Which is the banana?
12. The banana is yellow.
13. Point to the banana beside the orange.
14. Don’t put the banana on the table; put it on the floor.
15. The man is putting the banana on the table.
16. The woman is putting the banana under the table.
17. The woman is putting the banana beside the table.

These are designed to be simple, repeatable, and relevant to the vocabulary you are learning in level 1.

📝 Tips for Success with Sentence Frames

• Stick with 1-2 frames per session until it becomes automatic.
• Have your helper say the sentence aloud 8–10 times per item, using the frame(s) consistently.
• Resist the urge to break it down into single words—focus on full sentence comprehension.
• Gradually move to more complex sentence frames as your confidence grows.

✅ Bottom Line

Sentence frames are your training wheels—they provide just enough support while letting you move forward in real, usable language. With repetition and time, you’ll not only understand what you’re hearing—you’ll be able to say it yourself.

Let the sentence frame do the work. You focus on listening, pointing, and learning.