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Lesson Info

Post Type
Article
Level
Level 3 / B1
Published
Title
House of the Dragon in ASL
Webpage
https://eslnewsstories.com/articles/2026-05-26-house-of-the-dragon-asl/

In this lesson:

  • Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
  • Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
  • Reading Read the main text.
  • Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
  • Main Idea Choose the overall message of the text.
  • True or False Check understanding.
  • Multiple Choice Check understanding.
  • Words That Go Together Connect words and collocated phrases from the lesson.
  • Discussion Builder Think about how ideas relate to each other to choose connecting expressions.
  • Sentence Unscramble Reorder mixed phrases into correct sentences.
  • Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
  • Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.

Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?

a) An old version of a show is removed to make room for a sign language version.

b) The story explains why dragons are harder to understand in sign language.

c) Viewers can choose a sign language version of a popular show.

Two women in royal attire, one in green, the other in black, stand in front of different house sigils.
House of the Dragon.

Ask: (1) What are some TV shows that you like? (2) Do you know anyone who is deaf or has difficulty hearing?

VOCAB LIST

sign language (n.) — A language that uses hand movements, facial expressions, and body movement instead of spoken words.
expression (n.) — A look or movement that shows feeling or meaning.
deaf (adj.) — Not able to hear, or not able to hear well.
separate (adj.) — Different and not part of the same thing.
subtitle (n.) — Words on a screen that show what people are saying.
facial (adj.) — Connected to the face.
audio description (n.) — Extra audio that describes important actions, places, or images on screen.
performer (n.) — A person who acts or presents something for an audience.
grammar (n.) — The rules for making sentences in a language.
accessibility (n.) — The quality of being easy for different people to use, watch, or enjoy.

Reading

HBO Max will release a special American Sign Language version of House of the Dragon. The new season starts on June 21, 2026, and the ASL version will be available from the first episode.

American Sign Language, or ASL, is a language used by many deaf people in the United States. It is not just English with hand movements. It has its own grammar, expressions, and culture. For many deaf viewers, watching a story in ASL can feel more natural than reading subtitles.

The ASL version will not replace the regular version of the show. Instead, it will be a separate version on HBO Max. This means viewers can choose the version that works best for them.

This matters because major TV shows are made for huge audiences. However, not every viewer experiences a show in the same way. Some people need subtitles. Some need audio description. Some may enjoy a story more when it is performed in sign language.

House of the Dragon is a fantasy drama from the world of Game of Thrones. It tells a story about a powerful royal family, dragons, and a fight over who should rule. In a show like this, emotion and drama are very important.

An ASL performer can show feeling through facial expressions, body movement, and signs. This can help deaf viewers connect with the story more fully.

The ASL version shows how a major release can give more viewers a better way to enjoy the same story.

House of the Dragon in ASL

Level 3 Source: screenrant.com

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

Two women in royal attire, one in green, the other in black, stand in front of different house sigils.
House of the Dragon.

HBO Max will release a special American Sign Language version of House of the Dragon. The new season starts on June 21, 2026, and the ASL version will be available from the first episode.

American Sign Language, or ASL, is a language used by many deaf people in the United States. It is not just English with hand movements. It has its own grammar, expressions, and culture. For many deaf viewers, watching a story in ASL can feel more natural than reading subtitles.

The ASL version will not replace the regular version of the show. Instead, it will be a separate version on HBO Max. This means viewers can choose the version that works best for them.

This matters because major TV shows are made for huge audiences. However, not every viewer experiences a show in the same way. Some people need subtitles. Some need audio description. Some may enjoy a story more when it is performed in sign language.

House of the Dragon is a fantasy drama from the world of Game of Thrones. It tells a story about a powerful royal family, dragons, and a fight over who should rule. In a show like this, emotion and drama are very important.

An ASL performer can show feeling through facial expressions, body movement, and signs. This can help deaf viewers connect with the story more fully.

The ASL version shows how a major release can give more viewers a better way to enjoy the same story.

Speaker: American Male  Duration: 1:52  Watch on YouTube

Two ways to use this audio:

  • Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
  • Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:

HBO Max will release a (1) American Sign Language version of House of the Dragon. The new season starts on June 21, 2026, and the ASL version will be available from the first episode.

American Sign Language, or ASL, is a language used by many deaf people in the United States. It is not just English with hand movements. It has its own grammar, expressions, and culture. For many deaf viewers, watching a story in ASL can feel more (2) than reading subtitles.

The ASL version will not replace the regular version of the show. Instead, it will be a (3) version on HBO Max. This means viewers can choose the version that works best for them.

This matters because major TV shows are made for huge audiences. However, not every viewer experiences a show in the same way. Some people need subtitles. Some need audio (4) . Some may enjoy a story more when it is performed in sign language.

House of the Dragon is a fantasy drama from the world of Game of Thrones. It tells a story about a (5) royal family, dragons, and a fight over who should rule. In a show like this, emotion and drama are very important.

An ASL performer can show (6) through facial expressions, body movement, and signs. This can help deaf viewers connect with the story more fully.

The ASL version shows how a major release can give more viewers a better way to enjoy the same story.

Main Idea

Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.

Main Idea

Choose one:

  • Fantasy shows depend on strong emotion and visual performance to reach audiences.
  • A major show is adding an ASL version at launch so more viewers can experience it in a way that fits them. Correct answer
  • Streaming services now offer several accessibility tools and let viewers choose among them.
True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • The ASL version will be available from the first episode of the new season.
    The first paragraph says the ASL version will be available from the first episode when the new season starts.
  • ASL is just English with hand movements.
    The second paragraph says ASL is not just English with hand movements and has its own grammar, expressions, and culture.
  • The ASL version will replace the regular version of the show.
    The third paragraph says the ASL version will be a separate version, not a replacement for the regular show.
  • In a show like House of the Dragon, emotion and drama are very important.
    The fifth paragraph directly says that emotion and drama are very important in a show like this.

True or False

1. The ASL version will be available from the first episode of the new season. TRUEFALSE True

2. ASL is just English with hand movements. TRUEFALSE False

3. The ASL version will replace the regular version of the show. TRUEFALSE False

4. In a show like House of the Dragon, emotion and drama are very important. TRUEFALSE True

Multiple Choice

1. What does the story explain about ASL?

   a) It is only English shown with hand movements.

   b) It is a language with its own grammar, expressions, and culture.Correct

   c) It is another name for subtitles on a screen.

   d) It is a special language used only in TV shows.

2. What will be different about the ASL version on HBO Max?

   a) It will replace the regular version of the show.

   b) It will only be available after the season ends.

   c) It will be a separate version that viewers can choose.Correct

   d) It will be used only for the first episode.

3. Why does the story mention subtitles and audio description?

   a) To show that different viewers may need or prefer different ways to watch a showCorrect

   b) To say that subtitles are better than sign language

   c) To explain why HBO Max will stop making regular versions

   d) To show that fantasy shows are hard for most viewers to understand

4. How can an ASL performer help deaf viewers connect with the story?

   a) By explaining the story before each episode begins

   b) By showing feeling through facial expressions, body movement, and signsCorrect

   c) By removing difficult fantasy words from the story

   d) By changing the story into a shorter version

Words That Go Together

Loading vocabulary activity...

Words That Go Together

Match each word with the words it goes with:

1. Releasef) a special version

2. Reade) subtitles

3. Telld) a story

4. Performc) a story in sign language

5. Showb) feeling

6. Choosea) the version that works best

a) the version that works best

b) feeling

c) a story in sign language

d) a story

e) subtitles

f) a special version

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. Some deaf viewers may prefer a sign language version it can feel more natural than reading subtitles.

    and / but / because / so

    Some deaf viewers may prefer a sign language version because it can feel more natural than reading subtitles.

  2. Popular shows reach huge audiences, streaming services should think about accessibility from the start.

    because / but / so / and

    Popular shows reach huge audiences, so streaming services should think about accessibility from the start.

  3. I turn on subtitles in some situations. they help me catch quiet lines and different accents.

    But, / For example, / Also, / So,

    I turn on subtitles in some situations. For example, they help me catch quiet lines and different accents.

Sentence Unscramble

  1. A. I only know B. to learn C. more. D. but E. a few signs, F. I would like

    I only know a few signs, but I would like to learn more.

  2. A. help a lot B. emotion C. because D. Facial expressions E. they show F. very clearly.

    Facial expressions help a lot because they show emotion very clearly.

  3. A. big companies B. still need C. accessibility. D. about E. to think more F. In my country,

    In my country, big companies still need to think more about accessibility.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you know how to sign any words in ASL or other sign languages?
  2. There are many reasons to turn on subtitles when watching a show. Do you ever turn them on? Why or why not?
  3. Why might some deaf viewers prefer a sign language version to subtitles?
  4. Do you think streaming services should offer more accessible versions of popular shows? Why or why not?
  5. Do facial expressions and body movement help you understand a story? How?
  6. Do big companies in your country think enough about accessibility? Why or why not?
  7. Do you like fantasy shows like Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon? Why or why not?
  8. What kinds of entertainment are most popular in your country right now?

Answers House of the Dragon in ASL / Level 3

Think Ahead: c

Listening: (1) special, (2) natural, (3) separate, (4) description, (5) powerful, (6) feeling

Main Idea: A major show is adding an ASL version at launch so more viewers can experience it in a way that fits them.

True or False:

  1. True. The first paragraph says the ASL version will be available from the first episode when the new season starts.
  2. False. The second paragraph says ASL is not just English with hand movements and has its own grammar, expressions, and culture.
  3. False. The third paragraph says the ASL version will be a separate version, not a replacement for the regular show.
  4. True. The fifth paragraph directly says that emotion and drama are very important in a show like this.

Multiple Choice: b, c, a, b

Vocabulary:

  1. Release: a special version
  2. Read: subtitles
  3. Tell: a story
  1. Perform: a story in sign language
  2. Show: feeling
  3. Choose: the version that works best

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Result. 3) Example.

  1. because
  2. so
  3. For example,

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. I only know a few signs, but I would like to learn more.
  2. Facial expressions help a lot because they show emotion very clearly.
  3. In my country, big companies still need to think more about accessibility.

eslnewsstories.com