Friday, September 30, 2016

Quick Summary of First 2016 U.S. Presidential Debate: Clinton vs. Trump (plus Quiz)



VOA Learning English: First 2016 U.S. Presidential Debate: Clinton vs. Trump

Americans will vote for a new president on November 8. Watch highlights of the first of three debates between Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump. Originally published ay http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/3527633.html

Quiz:

USCIS 100:45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

USCIS 100:11. What is the economic system in the United States?*

USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

USCIS 100:32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

USCIS 100:26. We elect a President for how many years?

USCIS 100:27. In what month do we vote for President?*

USCIS 100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

USCIS 100:49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

USCIS 100:50. Name one right only for United States citizens.

USCIS 100:54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

SNEAK PEEK OF N-400r PRACTICE INTERVIEW SERIES

N-400 Practice Interview: Part 9—Time Outside the United States 


Here is a "sneak peak" our new series of practice scripts for each section of the N-400r followed by an mp3 recording of the Travel Section interview between Teachers Jennifer and Francisco.

On Oct. 3, we will release a series of practice scripts for each section of the N-400r--download the pdfs from uscitizenpod.com 


Monday, September 26, 2016

Clinton and Trump Face Off in Contentious First Debate



VOANews: Clinton and Trump Face Off in Contentious First Debate

Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump engaged in a contentious and at times combative first presidential debate Monday in Hempstead, New York. The two White House contenders clashed over foreign policy, the economy and each other in a 90 minute debate that could prove to be one of the pivotal moments in the 2016 election campaign. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more from Washington.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/a/3526611.html

Trump-Clinton Debate Showdown Looms as Key Campaign Moment



VOANews: Trump-Clinton Debate Showdown Looms as Key Campaign Moment

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump face off in the first of three nationally-televised debates Monday in Hempstead, New York. The Clinton-Trump showdown is likely to be one of the most-watched events of the U.S. presidential campaign and could have an impact on the outcome of what has become a close race for the White House. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has a preview from Washington.
Originally published at http://www.voanews.com/a/trump-clinton-debate-preview/3524085.html

Sunday, September 25, 2016

History Suggests Presidential Debates Can Be Crucial to Election Outcome



VOANews: History Suggests Presidential Debates Can Be Crucial to Election Outcome

Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump face off in the first of a series of three presidential debates Monday in Hempstead, New York. Clinton and Trump are locked in a close race for the White House and if history is any guide, the debates could have a significant impact on the election. VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone has more on the history and significance of the presidential debates from Washington.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/a/history-suggests-presidential-debates-can-be-crucial-to-election-outcome/3518044.html

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Elephants and Donkeys, Oh My!



VOANews: Elephants and Donkeys, Oh My!

You see elephants and donkeys every election season in the U.S. They represent the Republican and Democratic political parties. So how did they become party animals?
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/a/3520340.html

Elephant and Donkeys for low level ESL students:



VOA Learning English: U.S. Political Party Animals

In U.S. politics, the elephant represents the Republican Party and the donkey represents the Democratic Party. Watch the history on how that came to be.
Originally published at - http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/3525986.html

Friday, September 23, 2016

NEW PODCAST: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about Voting and Elections featuring Yesica Sanchez (Oaxaca, Mexico)

NEW PODCAST: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about Voting and Elections featuring Yesica Sanchez (Oaxaca, Mexico)
This is a 21-question quiz (plus USCIS 10 civics questions) based on our "Common" Citizenship Interview script (53qs, 2pgs) 
Special thanks to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (sccvote.org) for their tireless work to make every vote count!

Also a special thanks to Isabel who is the MUSD.org liaison to the Latino community.

For more Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month, go to goo.gl/bUw1nn

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month 2016

Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month goo.gl/bUw1nn

Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month from US Citizenship Podcast
  • Alecia Sotelo (Asuncion, Paraguay) mp3 (video)
  • Angelica Mendoza (Veracruz, Mexico) (pdf(mp3(video)
  • Antonio Vazquez Gonzalez (Guadalajara, Mexico) (pdf
  • Alejandro Guerrero Gutierrez (Aguascalientes, Mexico) (mp3
  • Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 to Oct 15) (pdf) (mp3)
  • Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 to Oct 15) Part 2 (pdf) (mp3)
  • NEW: Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 to Oct 15) Part 3 (pdf
  • Columbus Day and the Columbian Exchange Puzzle (pdf)
  • Guadalupe Garcia (Sonora, Mexico) (mp3)
  • Five for Cinco de Mayo (5 topics, 10 civics questions) pdf
  • Juana Ortega (Las Margaritas, Jalisco, Mexico) (mp3)
  • Maria Isabel Covarrubias talks about her Citizenship Interview (video)
  • Maria Isabel Covarrubas explains N-400 Part 12 Vocabulary (mp3)
  • Martin Maldonado (Lima, Peru) (mp3)
  • Recursos de Ciudadania en Espanol (pdf)
  • U.S. Citizenship 3: Columbus (online activity)
  • U.S. Citizenship 4: Columbian Exchange  (online activity)
  • Yesica Sanchez (Oaxaca, Mexico): a Quick N400 quiz plus 10qs about Voting (pdf) (mp3)
More Resources
Also watch:
USCIS and US Courts: 




    Monday, September 19, 2016

    WE SIGNED THE CONSTITUTION!!!



    I am so proud of my ESL 1 Class! They did an excellent job hosting the morning signing of the US Constitution for their fellow students at Milpitas Adult School. You can read their Constitution Day story and see their photos here.



    On September 15, Milpitas Adult School's Citizenship Class hosted the signing of the US Constitution for the evening students. They passed out the USCIS 100 questions, a US Constitution Quick Quiz, and the Preamble Puzzle (plus cake--check out the photos).  Good job!  I know that y'all will be great #newUScitizens!

    Sunday, September 18, 2016

    U.S. Courts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Live Coverage



    usscourts: U.S. Courts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Live Coverage

    Live coverage of Constitution Day & Citizenship Day from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and Ellis Island in New York, NY, begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on 9/16. Watch new American citizens take the oath of allegiance at naturalization ceremonies.

    Hint: This video is 1 hour 40 minutes.  It is very inspirational, but a bit too long for class.  Check out the US Courts' 40 seconds preview here.

    UPDATES (October 2016)

    USCourts: Constitution and Citizenship Day Across the Nation (2016) (7 minutes)

    Constitution Day and Citizenship Day was celebrated on September 16th, 2016 to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and the rights and protections it provides to all American citizens. In partnership with the Civics Renewal Network, the U.S. Courts participated in naturalization ceremonies held at over 40 locations across the United States including National Historic Places and National Parks. These locations were chosen to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. This video features ceremony highlights from Ellis Island, the Lincoln Memorial, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and others. It includes speeches by federal judges, administrators of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Park Service, musical performances and student presentations.

    USCourts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day 2016 (39 minute summary)
    Special coverage of Constitution Day & Citizenship Day from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and Ellis Island in New York. Watch as new American citizens take the oath of allegiance at naturalization ceremonies. Recorded on September 16, 2016.


    USCourts: Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor Remarks on Constitution Day 2016

    The nation celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 16, 2016. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered congratulatory remarks to those naturalized at Ellis Island. Her message was webcast by the U.S. Courts as part of their coverage of ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial and Ellis Island, which were hosted by the National Park Service and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Associate Justice Sotomayor discussed the U.S. Constitution, her family's migration from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, the challenges of becoming U.S. citizens, and the rewards and responsibilities that come with citizenship, including voting, volunteering, and jury duty. She urged the new citizens to embrace the American culture, but not abandon their native cultures, as diversity is America's greatest strength.

    Saturday, September 17, 2016

    Citizenship Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Day (September 17)



    uscitizenpod: The U.S. Constitution

    A basic introduction to the Constitution for ESL/Citizenship students. This video is based upon a ppt that I made in 2005 and modified in 2008. 



    ListenAndReadAlong is an AWESOME resource that produces videos that highlights words as they are heard from VOA news reports and features.
    National Constitution Center: Constitution Day - Lesson Plans and Activities

    USCIS: 

    USScourts: U.S. Courts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Live Coverage (video)
    Live coverage of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and Ellis Island in New York, NY, begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on 9/16. Watch new American citizens take the oath of allegiance at naturalization ceremonies.  Hint: This video is 1 hour 40 minutes.  It is very inspirational, but a bit too long for class.  Check out the US Courts' 40 seconds preview here.

    VOA Learning English: What's So Important about Sept. 17?

    Thanks for studying the U.S. Constitution--I know that you will be a great American citizen!

    Check back for 2017 updates!

    Friday, September 16, 2016

    NEW PODCAST: a Summary of the US Constitution

    Happy US Constitution and Citizenship week!  
    This new podcast is a basic introduction to the US Constitution for ESL/Citizenship students. It is based on our Summary of the US Constitution.  
    You can download the pdf at http://goo.gl/CVxDwZ.

    Thursday, September 15, 2016

    Milpitas Adult School's Citizenship Class 10


    The Citizenship Class will be hosting Constitution and Citizenship Day at Milpitas Adult School.  Check back for photos.

    N-400

    • Round Robin Quizzes (It's a secret!)

    Civics:
    • Bill of Rights pptx via Google Slides
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 01  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 02  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 03  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 04  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 05  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Citizenship Quiz  pdf

    Integration:

    Wednesday, September 14, 2016

    IRS (and USCIS) Imposter scams



    uscitizenpod: IRS (and USCIS) Imposter Scams 

    I got a threatening phone message from someone pretending to be an IRS agent.  My student have rec'd similar calls from someone pretending to be a USCIS agent. 

    We did not call them back nor paid them any money.

    We filed a complaint with ftccomplaintassistant.gov

    ENGLISH:



    SPANISH