Signing Naturally 1011 Better May 2026

Signing Naturally is the most widely used curriculum for learning American Sign Language (ASL). Unit 10 focuses on building narrative skills, and Section 11 specifically targets the grammatical structure of Conditionals (If/Then statements) and Temporal Clauses.

Below is the full learning content, breakdown, and practice material for Signing Naturally 10.11.

Beyond Memorization: A Deep Dive into Signing Naturally Units 1-6

For decades, students walking into their first American Sign Language (ASL) class have been greeted by the same distinctive cover of a hand silhouetted against a sunburst. Signing Naturally Units 1-6 (often referenced by its product code, 1011, for the DVD/ebook bundle) is widely considered the "gold standard" of ASL curricula. But what makes this specific text different from a French or Spanish workbook? signing naturally 1011

Unlike traditional foreign language books that rely on rote memorization of vocabulary lists and verb conjugation charts, Signing Naturally employs a functional-notional approach. This means it doesn't teach you random signs; it teaches you how to accomplish tasks.

Is It Right for Self-Study?

Signing Naturally 1011 is designed for a classroom with a Deaf instructor. However, self-studiers use it successfully with a strict regimen: watching the DVD chapter three times (once for gist, once for detail, once to mimic) and using the workbook answer key sparingly. Signing Naturally is the most widely used curriculum

Common Student Struggles with Signing Naturally 1011

Why does this specific unit get Googled so often? Because it is usually the first time a student fails a receptive exam.

The "Tell a Story" Video Assignment Most instructors using Signing Naturally 1011 require students to watch a video of a Deaf native signer telling a story (usually "The Balloon Story" or "The Car Accident") and then answer comprehension questions. Beyond Memorization: A Deep Dive into Signing Naturally

Common Pain Points:

  • Speed: Native signers do not sign word-for-word English. They drop nouns (using CLs instead) and speed up during the climax of the accident.
  • Facial Grammar: In Unit 10.11, if the signer raises their eyebrows, it often indicates a conditional clause ("If the light had been red..."). Lowered brows indicate "wh-" questions during the narrative.
  • Memory Load: You cannot pause a live video. You have to hold the image of the CL:1 person walking and the CL:3 car turning simultaneously.