Thursday, February 28, 2019

U.S. Citizenship Class 14, Spring 2019, Milpitas Adult School

Pair Practice with Mix-and-Match Citizenship Interviews

N-400 (5:45-6:30 pair practice) (Handout Set 1)
Civics (6:30-7:30 choral reading) (7:30-7:45 break)
  • Future U.S. Citizens  (Handout Set 2)
    • Unit 1 Lesson 2: The American Revolution pg 7-10
    • Unit 1 Lesson 3:  The Declaration of Independence 11-14
Integration (7:45-8:45)
  • ESL Library: Independence Day pg 1-3, 8-9  (Handout Set 3)
    • Independence Day MP3 click to listen
  • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence Day (2016) http://goo.gl/PsUU16
  • 15 USCIS Civics Questions in Honor of African-American History Month. (pdf) (in case you need an extra activity)

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Grand Canyon Celebrates 100th Birthday as National Park



VOANews: Grand Canyon Celebrates 100th Birthday as National Park

On February 26, 2019 the Grand Canyon celebrates 100 years since its designation as a national park. But as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the ancient site has inspired adventurers, poets and painters for hundreds of years. Whether looking down from its massive rim or up from the rushing waters of the Colorado River, it's easy to see how it got its name. National parks traveler Mikah Meyer explored the site during an eight-day trip. He shared highlights with VOA’s Julie Taboh.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4804063.html

Read these other articles from VOA Learning English:

Guides No Longer Permitted on Native Area in Grand Canyon

1 in 4 Americans Have Not Visited Famous US Places

Have You Visited All 50 US States?

Immigrants Become Citizens at U.S. National Park

Grand Canyon: A Sight Beyond Words

Arizona: The Spirit of Route 66

Does 'Arizona' Mean 'Amazing?'


Also watch:

USCIS: Grand Canyon Naturalization Ceremony

USCIS Deputy Director Lori Scialabba administers the Oath of Allegiance to 20 new #newuscitizen at Grand Canyon National Park on the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. Happy Birthday NPS #NPS100!

For more information about USCIS, visit us at https://www.uscis.gov and check us out on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/uscis), Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/uscis), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/uscis).

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

U.S. Citizenship Class 13, Spring 2019, Milpitas Adult School



N-400
  • Future U.S. Citizens
    • Speaking Test Lesson 1 pg-132-133
  • Mix-and-Match Series B interview (15 questions) for Beginning High ESL 2 students.
  • Mix-and-Match Ten Paired Thematic Fill In the Blank Quizzes
Civics
  • Future U.S. Citizens
    • Unit 1 Lesson 1: Early America pg 3-7
Integration
  • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10 qs in honor of Thanksgiving 2015 pdf and mp3

Monday, February 25, 2019

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Citizenship Prep 101 at EL Civics Conf, Anaheim



Feb 22, 2019 EL Civics Conference, Anaheim
  • North Orange CC 1830 W. Romneya Dr. Anaheim
  • 2:30-3:20   Citizenship Prep 101, Jennifer Gagliardi - OTAN
More resources from Jennifer Gagliardi


Friday, February 22, 2019

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Vandana Yadav’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview



uscitizenpod: Vandana Yadav’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview

This interview was based on:

A "Common" Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (53qs, 2pgs) (updated 06/12/2016)
pdf: http://goo.gl/cPTyRL

and USCIS 100 "Eights" quiz which can be found here:

Mix-and-Match U.S. Citizenship Interviews and Quizzes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/mix-and-match.pdf

Mezclar y Combinar Entrevistas y Exámencitos de Ciudadanía (2018)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/mezclar-y-combinar.pdf

I also included a dictation sentence from:

U.S. Citizenship Reading and Writing playlist
http://bit.ly/cit-rw

Watch Vandana Yadav’s First Practice Citizenship Interview
https://youtu.be/qktj9vmmRnc

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Felipe Toledo’s Practice Citizenship Interview




uscitizenpod: Felipe Toledo’s Practice Citizenship Interview

Felipe's interview was based on the Mix and Match Citizenship Interviews: Interview Level B Practice 5 and USCIS 100 "Sixes" quiz. Both of these can be found here:

Mix-and-Match U.S. Citizenship Interviews and Quizzes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/mix-and-match.pdf

Mezclar y Combinar Entrevistas y Exámencitos de Ciudadanía (2018)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/mezclar-y-combinar.pdf

You can listen to Felipe in another video:

US Citizenship Interview with Felipe Toledo
https://youtu.be/11ghT98zh-w

And Felipe's wife, Claudia, inspired the following quiz:

Claudia Rios Castro: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 1 pdf
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/citz-test-2015-branches.pdf

There is no official list of Citizenship Reading and Writing Sentences! See the following lists for the official words used during the USCIS Reading and Writing Test:

Reading Vocabulary for the Naturalization Test
http://bit.ly/USCIS-reading

Writing Vocabulary for the Naturalization Test
http://bit.ly/USCIS-writing

USCIS Using Tablets to Administer the English Reading and Writing Test (video)
http://bit.ly/USCIS-tablet

uscitizenpod: U.S. Citizenship Reading and Writing playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtyN34w6H7y4wtr0MlDxpH39LZFUqWASp

Monday, February 18, 2019

US Citizenship Resources for Presidents' Day



uscitizenpod: Presidents' Day Quiz (2018)
Over 40 USCIS Civics and History Questions about our Presidents


Check back for updates!

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Tampa couples become naturalized citizens for Valentine's Day


FOX 13 Tampa: Tampa couples become naturalized citizens for Valentine's Day

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Dozens of people became new U.S. citizens during a special Valentine's Day ceremony in Tampa Thursday, capping off years of hard work. (read more)

Friday, February 15, 2019

Happy Birthday, Susan B. Anthony!



uscitizenpod: Susan B. Anthony Day!

Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820. She was a school teacher who became a social reformer. She worked against slavery and fought for women's rights. The 19th Amendment, which guarantees a woman's right to vote, was named in honor of Susan B. Anthony.

USCIS 100:77 What did Susan B. Anthony do?

  • fought for women's rights
  • fought for human rights

Coin image source:
By US Mint (coin); Heritage Auctions (image) - Heritage Auctions Lot 1449, 29 April 2010, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38677785

Thursday, February 14, 2019

U.S. Citizenship Class 12, Spring 2019, Milpitas Adult School



Because tonight is Valentine's Day and the heavy rain/flooding in Milpitas, many students skipped class. These four "Sweethearts" came to class and helped make and post citizenship cards as "Valentines" for their fellow students. I will post a video about their work a bit later.

Also, watch this video and take the quiz:

uscitizenpod: A Presidential Valentine's Day Citizenship Quiz
Ten questions about the Presidents and their First Ladies
pdf http://goo.gl/nj60ar

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

N-400 Part 12 Vocabulary Review



uscitizenpod: N-400 Part 12 Vocabulary Review (also available as a podcast)

Before the March 2019 revision of the N-400 application for Naturalization, we would like to review some vocabulary for Additional Information in the N-400 Part 12 (which will become Part 11 in the N-400). This review is based on:

N-400r Part 12 Overview Quiz (27 questions)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/n-400r-12-overview-quiz.pdf

Also watch/listen to:

Preview of the Revised USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization (March 2019)
A quick preview of the revised USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization (March 2019). Some of the vocabulary has been simplified, but the scope of the question has been broadened to reflect changes to US immigration policy and laws.
video: https://youtu.be/jMWCwr4EIc4
podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/n-400-preview.mp3

U.S. Citizenship N-400 Part 12 Quiz (20 Questions)
Milpitas Adult Students Guangfang Tao (Shenzhen, China) and Van Thi Bach Thach (Saigon, Vietnam) prepare to become #new US citizens in the Lunar New Year by practicing N-400 Part 12 vocabulary.
video: https://youtu.be/ZDsTwhbLAEs
podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/part-12.mp3

US Citizenship Resources for Black History Month
https://www.uscitizenpod.com/2019/02/us-citizenship-resources-for-african.html

US Citizenship Resources for Presidents' Day
https://www.uscitizenpod.com/2019/02/us-citizenship-resources-for-presidents.html

Also check out our new video series:

U.S. Citizenship Reading and Writing (only 18 videos now, but will grow into over 50 videos soon)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtyN34w6H7y4wtr0MlDxpH39LZFUqWASp

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

U.S. Citizenship Class 11, Spring 2019, Milpitas Adult School

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln!
N-400
  • Intermediate Citizenship Interview Script based on the USCIS N-400r (6 pgs)

Civics

Integration

Monday, February 11, 2019

Preview of the Revised USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization (March 2019)



uscitizenpod: Preview of the Revised USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization (March 2019)

A quick preview of the revised USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization (March 2019). Some of the vocabulary has been simplified, but the scope of the question has been broadened to reflect changes to US immigration policy and laws.

Info source:

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
OMB No. 1615-0052
Expires 03/31/2019

https://www.regulations.gov/contentStreamer?documentId=USCIS-2008-0025-0138

Accommodations and Exemptions will be folded into Part 2 Personal Info, thereby renumbering the sections of the N-400

Part 8. Time Outside the United States

3. List below all the trips of 24 hours or longer that you have taken outside the United States since you became a
lawful permanent resident or during the last ten years, whichever is shorter. Start with your most recent trip and
work backwards. If you need extra space, use additional sheets of paper.

Part 11. Additional Information About You (Person Applying for Naturalization)

11. Have you EVER been associated with, worked for, or given any kind of money, help, or any other thing to a group or a member of a group that used weapons or engaged in violence?

15.E. Sexual contact or activity with any person who did not consent (did not agree), who could not consent (could not agree), or who was being forced or threatened by you or by someone else?

19. Did you EVER sell, give, or provide weapons, or help another person sell, give, or provide weapons?
19.A. If you answered "Yes," were any of those weapons ever used against another person?

24. Have you EVER been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer (including any foreign law enforcement officer, any immigration official or any official of the U.S. armed forces) for any reason?

25. Have you EVER had your fingerprints taken by a law enforcement officer in any country?

30.A. Have you EVER received a pardon?

40. Have you EVER been removed or deported from any (other) country?
If you answered "Yes," please answer the following:
40.A. When were you removed or deported (mm/dd/yyyy)?
40.B. From what country where you removed or deported?
40.C. Why were you removed or deported?

If you need Legal Assistance, go to:
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/find-legal-representation

LIST OF PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers

Read This Before You Take Legal Advice
https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2011/06/22/UPILFlyer06222011.pdf

Sunday, February 10, 2019

The Pledge of Allegiance at the American Citizenship Oath Ceremony



Flavi Oliveira: American Citizenship Oath Ceremony

The Oliveira children, whose parents just became US citizens, lead new US citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance

"I pledge allegiance
to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic
for which it stands,
one Nation under God,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."

Also download: USCIS 100:52, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oath of Allegiance, and the N-400

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Vandna’s First Practice Citizenship Interview



uscitizenpod: Vandna’s First Practice Citizenship Interview

We practiced with Level B Interview 3. You can download the scripts and civics quizzes in English and Spanish.

Please look at the resources below and use the scripts to practice with your family and friends.

Mix-and-Match U.S. Citizenship Interviews and Quizzes
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/mix-and-match.pdf

Mezclar y Combinar Entrevistas y Exámencitos de Ciudadanía (2018)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/mezclar-y-combinar.pdf

Also you can learn more English for the Citizenship Interview here:
https://usalearns.org/

Friday, February 8, 2019

US Citizenship Resources for Black History Month

Happy Black History Month! 
During the month of February, US Citizenship Podcast explores the connection between the USCIS History and Civics questions and African American History.  Let's get started!



Citizenship Interview and Civics Quizzes:

LISTEN UP!  US Citizenship Podcast African-American History Series
  • USCIS 100:60 Slaves, Slavery, and Olaudah Equiano mp3
  • USCIS 100:61 Colonists, Taxes, Crispus Attuks, Lemuel Haynes, and the American Revolutionary War mp3
  • USCIS 100:62 the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, and Sally Hemings mp3
  • USCIS 100:69 George Washington, Phillis Wheatley, and Columbia mp3
  • Feb 05 USCIS 100:65 The Constitutional Convention, the Great Compromise, and Slavery mp3
  • USCIS 100:94 Washington DC, Benjamin Banneker, and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson mp3
  • USCIS 100:71 Louisiana Territory, Missouri River, and York mp3
  • USCIS 100:09 Life, Liberty, and La Amistad mp3
  • USCIS 100:77 Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Civil Rights mp3
  • USCIS 100:99 July 4th, Slavery, and Fredrick Douglass mp3
  • USCIS 100:74 Slavery, the Supreme Court, and Dred Scott mp3
  • USCIS 100:75 Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, and the Underground Railroad mp3
  • USCIS 100:76 The Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth (mp3)
VOA News (recent videos)

MORE RESOURCES (check back for updates)

    Citizenship, Immigration, and Government Resources in African Languages

    Thursday, February 7, 2019

    U.S. Citizenship Class 10, Spring 2019, Milpitas Adult School

    For U.S. Citizenship Class 09, Spring 2019 (Feb 5), many students stayed home to celebrate the Lunar New Year. However, some students came and we recorded some Citizenship interviews. I am still editing the interviews and will post them at a later date.



    N-400

    Civics
    • Voices of Freedom by Bill Bliss Interview Practice (pg 213-end) and civics review

    Integration