Do you need to study with a partner?
When describing an action done to a body part, the sign must move toward that specific location. For example, if a doctor applies a bandage to your knee, the sign for applying a bandage must be executed directly on or over your knee. The Power of Non-Manual Signals (NMS)
ASL exists in a three-dimensional space. The curriculum teaches you to establish objects in your signing space based on their actual location in the real world. When giving directions or describing a room, you must map it out from the perspective of the signer, requiring the listener to mentally flip the image. 4. Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
Your signs must match the actual layout of the room you are describing. If a door is on the right, you must sign "door" on your right side. This is called spatial agreement. Unit 11: Making Conversational Requests signing naturally 1011
Before learning signs, you must train your eyes. ASL relies on deixis —using the index finger to point to people, places, and objects. Pointing is not rude in ASL; it functions as the literal pronoun (he, she, it, they, you). 2. Facial Expressions and Non-Manual Signals (NMS)
: Facial expressions are used to add specific meaning to a tendency, such as whether a person is perceived as being "careless" or "thorough". Locating Items :
Choose one hand to be your active signing hand (usually your right hand if you are right-handed) and keep it consistent. Switching back and forth makes your sentences unreadable. Do you need to study with a partner
Which (1 through 11) you are currently working on
: It teaches you to view facial expressions and body movements as grammatical features, not just emotional additions.
Learners are taught to first set up the room (spatial mapping) using the non-dominant hand as a reference point. The Power of Non-Manual Signals (NMS) ASL exists
You will learn to detail your extended family history, describe complex occupations, and talk about workplace responsibilities.
Describe your own bedroom or kitchen to a partner to practice spatial agreement.
Pay attention to the background signers in the video, not just the main speaker.
The secret to the success of Signing Naturally is its . Instead of learning isolated vocabulary lists (like colors or animals), lessons are organized around real-life communicative purposes (functions), such as introducing yourself, making requests, or—in the case of Units 10 and 11—giving opinions and discussing plans.