Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.
Lesson Info
Lesson Content
Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio
Understanding: Main Idea, True or False, Multiple Choice
Language: Words That Go Together
Use It: Discussion Builder, Sentence Unscramble, Discussion Questions
Answers
(1) What are some TV shows you like?
(2) Do you know anyone who is deaf or has difficulty hearing?
Vocab List
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
(1) What are some TV shows you like?
(2) Do you know anyone who is deaf or has difficulty hearing?
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sign language (n.)
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deaf (adj.)
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subtitle (n.)
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audio description (n.)
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grammar (n.)
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expression (n.)
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separate (adj.)
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facial (adj.)
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performer (n.)
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accessibility (n.)
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.
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.
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
Answer each question by selecting A, B, or C, then click CHECK to see your results.
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 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
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
4. How can an ASL performer help deaf viewers connect with the story?
a) By showing feeling through facial expressions, body movement, and signsCorrect
b) By removing difficult fantasy words from the story
c) By changing the story into a shorter version
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.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below, or select a word and then select its match:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. Releasef) a special ASL version
2. Reade) subtitles
3. Choosed) the version that works best
4. Tellc) a story
5. Fightb) over who should rule
6. Connecta) with the story more fully
a) with the story more fully
b) over who should rule
c) a story
d) the version that works best
e) subtitles
f) a special ASL version
Discussion Builder
1) Reason 2) Result 3) Example
Q: Why might some deaf viewers prefer a sign language version to subtitles?
A:Q: Do you think streaming services should offer more accessible versions of popular shows? Why or why not?
A:Q: There are many reasons to turn on subtitles when watching a show. Do you ever turn them on? Why or why not?
A:
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Q: Why might some deaf viewers prefer a sign language version to subtitles?
A: 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.
Q: Do you think streaming services should offer more accessible versions of popular shows? Why or why not?
A: 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.
Q: There are many reasons to turn on subtitles when watching a show. Do you ever turn them on? Why or why not?
A: 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
Sentence Unscramble
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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.
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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.
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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
- Do you know how to sign any words in ASL or other sign languages?
- There are many reasons to turn on subtitles when watching a show. Do you ever turn them on? Why or why not?
- Why might some deaf viewers prefer a sign language version to subtitles?
- Do you think streaming services should offer more accessible versions of popular shows? Why or why not?
- Do facial expressions and body movements help you understand a story? How?
- Do big companies in your country think enough about accessibility? Why or why not?
- Do you like fantasy shows like Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon? Why or why not?
- What kinds of entertainment are most popular in your country right now?
Discussion Questions
- Do you know how to sign any words in ASL or other sign languages?
- There are many reasons to turn on subtitles when watching a show. Do you ever turn them on? Why or why not?
- Why might some deaf viewers prefer a sign language version to subtitles?
- Do you think streaming services should offer more accessible versions of popular shows? Why or why not?
- Do facial expressions and body movements help you understand a story? How?
- Do big companies in your country think enough about accessibility? Why or why not?
- Do you like fantasy shows like Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon? Why or why not?
- What kinds of entertainment are most popular in your country right now?
Answers
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:
- True. The first paragraph says the ASL version will be available from the first episode when the new season starts.
- False. The second paragraph says ASL is not just English with hand movements and has its own grammar, expressions, and culture.
- False. The third paragraph says the ASL version will be a separate version, not a replacement for the regular show.
- True. The fifth paragraph directly says that emotion and drama are very important in a show like this.
Multiple Choice: b, c, a, a
Vocabulary:
- Release: a special ASL version
- Read: subtitles
- Choose: the version that works best
- Tell: a story
- Fight: over who should rule
- Connect: with the story more fully
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Result. 3) Example.
- because
- so
- For example,
Sentence Unscramble:
- I only know a few signs, but I would like to learn more.
- Facial expressions help a lot because they show emotion very clearly.
- In my country, big companies still need to think more about accessibility.