Learning American Sign Language (ASL) requires moving beyond simple vocabulary lists and diving into spatial grammar, facial expressions, and Deaf culture. If you're taking an introductory ASL course, you've likely encountered the curriculum created by Cheri Smith, Ella Mae Lentz, and Ken Mikos. Finding valid study resources, understanding how the lessons map out, and knowing how to practice effectively can feel overwhelming when you're just starting out.
Instead of hunting for sketchy downloads or incomplete materials, it helps to understand what this foundational curriculum actually covers and how to master it. Here's a breakdown of how the first six units work, what skills you'll build, and how to study smarter without falling into common beginner traps.
What Is the Signing Naturally Curriculum?
Published by DawnSignPress, the curriculum stands as one of the most widely adopted frameworks for teaching ASL in North America. Rather than treating sign language as a word-for-word translation of English, the material immerses learners in a visual-spatial mode of communication.
The first core level spans units one through six. It pairs a student workbook with video resources to show how fluent signers use space, movement, and non-manual markers (like eyebrow movements and head tilts) to convey grammatical meaning. More reporting by Bloomberg delves into similar views on this issue.
The Structure of Units 1-6
Each unit targets specific conversational milestones, gradually building your expressive (signing) and receptive (reading signs) abilities.
- Unit 1: Introducing Oneself – Focuses on fingerspelling, numbers, basic greetings, and exchanging introductory information. You'll learn how to give spatial locations for your hometown and break the ice.
- Unit 2: Exchanging Personal Information – Expands into sharing details about your living arrangements, everyday objects, and asking simple wh-word questions (who, what, where, why).
- Unit 3: Discussing Living Situations – Introduces spatial referencing to describe where things and people are located, talk about floor plans, and discuss neighborhood features.
- Unit 4: Talking about Family – Teaches relational signs, family trees, and how to describe family members' physical characteristics and personalities.
- Unit 5: Telling about Activities – Focuses on temporal concepts, scheduling, discussing routines, and explaining what you do on weekdays versus weekends.
- Unit 6: Storytelling – Transitions you from simple sentences to short narratives, building your ability to sequence events, maintain spatial agreement, and tell engaging stories.
Navigating Copyright and Resource Realities
When students search for digital copies of these student workbooks, they often run into broken links, low-quality scans, or copyright-restricted platforms. Because the content is protected intellectual property, official copies are distributed directly through educational publishers or campus bookstores.
Relying on unauthorized or incomplete PDF downloads usually backfires for a few reasons. First, the workbook is only half the equation; the curriculum relies heavily on video content to demonstrate movement and pacing. Without the visual clips, text descriptions of signs are notoriously difficult to interpret. Second, missing pages or answer keys can leave you stuck during self-study homework checks. If you need physical or digital access for an academic class, check with your school's library or course instructor for authorized licensing options.
Core Study Strategies for ASL Beginners
Mastering a visual language uses entirely different cognitive pathways than learning a written or spoken foreign language. If you want to succeed in these early units, you have to change how you study.
Turn Off the Voice
The biggest mistake beginners make is mouthing English words or speaking out loud while signing. ASL has its own independent syntax and grammar structure. If you speak English while trying to sign, your brain gets stuck in a hybrid code that hinders true fluency. Embrace the "voice-off" environment during practice sessions.
Master Fingerspelling Reception
Fingerspelling trips up almost every beginner. When watching someone fingerspell, don't look at individual letters. Train your eyes to look at the shape of the entire word, using context clues from the sentence to fill in gaps. Practice with a partner by having them fingerspell random words at a steady, uninterrupted pace rather than stopping after every letter.
Leverage Non-Manual Behaviors Early
Grammar in ASL isn't just about your hands. Raised eyebrows indicate a yes/no question, while lowered eyebrows indicate a wh-word question. Body shifts help separate different people or concepts in space. Treat facial expressions and body posture as core grammatical tools rather than optional emotions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Translating English Literally: Signs like "run" or "have" change drastically based on context. Don't memorize a one-to-one English equivalent for every sign.
- Ignoring Deaf Culture Notes: Every unit includes cultural profiles and historical insights. Don't skip these sections; understanding Deaf etiquette, community norms, and history is vital for respectful communication.
- Practicing Only in the Mirror: While mirrors help check your handshapes, they create a false sense of security. In real conversations, you look at another person's face, not a reflection. Practice with peers or record yourself on video to check your form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I teach myself ASL using just these units?
You can build a strong foundation, but interactive feedback is crucial. Because ASL is a visual language, having an instructor or a fluent partner check your spatial placement and grammar keeps you from developing bad habits. For formal guidance, look at resources from Gallaudet University, a premier institution for Deaf education.
Why are the practice videos necessary if the workbook has pictures?
Sign language is dynamic. Still photographs in a book can show hand placement, but they cannot capture movement speed, facial grammar, or the transition between signs. The video components bridge that gap.
How long does it take to complete units one through six?
In a typical academic setting, these six units span two semesters or roughly one full academic year of elementary ASL instruction. Pushing through them too quickly often leads to weak receptive skills.
What should I study after finishing unit six?
Once you complete the introductory level, you typically advance to intermediate coursework, such as units 7 through 12, which dive deeper into complex storytelling, conditional sentences, and community interactions.
