Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Q32-33: USCIS 96 Questions 32-33: Judicial Branch, Supreme Court, Law

USCIS 96 Questions 32-33


Today we will listen to Questions 32-33 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 32-33 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 32-33:

  1. Judicial Branch
  2. Supreme Court
  3. Law

Dictation Sentences

  1. There are three branches of government.
  2. He has a very big dog.

You can get more info about the Executive Branch from

  1. EL Civics: The Supreme Court
  2. Simple Wiki: The Supreme Court
  3. VOA The Supreme Court

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Q30-31: USCIS 96 Questions 30-31: Excutive Branch, President

USCIS 96 Questions 30-31


Today we will listen to Questions 30-31 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 30-31 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 30-31:

  1. Executive Branch

  2. President


Dictation Sentences


  1. The President is elected every four years.

  2. He came to live with his brother.

You can get more info about the Executive Branch from

  1. EL Civics: The White House

  2. VOA: The Road to the 2008 US Elections

  3. The White House: Presidents

  4. Simple Wiki: US Executive Branch

  5. Wikipedia: US Presidential Elections


Monday, July 23, 2007

Reminder: New Fees Begin July 30, 2007!


New Fees

Today we will listen to a reminder about the new USCIS fees starting July 30, 2007.

Here's a Class Handout: Summary of the New Fees.


Here is another Class Handout: "Sending Your N-400 to USCIS".


Please note that there are four pages: one page for each USCIS Service Center in California, Texas, Nebraska, and Vermont.


Please confirm that you are using the correct page for your state.


Originally, I put the information for all four USCIS Service Centers and their assigned states on a single sheet of paper.


When I gave the single sheet of paper to my students, they became confused.


The print was too tiny and there was too much information.


I re-formatted the information and printed the Summary of the New Fees on the first side and Sending Your N-400 to USCIS on the second side.


I printed the information on color paper so they can find this paper quickly and easily.  Many students took extra copies home for their family and friends.


Also, please check out the new online video from USCIS "Promise of Freedom"--a twelve minute video presentation on American civics and history. Watch the video online or get the direct download of Promise of Freedom.


Finally, The Pilot Questions have been revised!  There are now 142 questions.  Questions have been marked for Senior Citizens older that 65 and have been legal permanent residents for more than 20 years.

You can get the reformated USCIS 142 here.

You can get the reformated USCIS 142 for Senior Citizens here.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Interview-09: Advanced Citizenship Interview—David Bian (Tianjin, China)


Interview-09

Today we will listen to our ninth practice interview David Bian (Tianjin, China). These are questions are based on the N-400. You can get a pdf. of the Advanced Citizenship Interview here.

10/26/08--the audio file as been updated. Thanks!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Sunday, July 8, 2007

New USCIS Video and Online Resources for ESL/Citizeship Students

New USCIS Resources:

***A Promise of Freedom***
A twelve minute video presentation on American civics and history. Watch the video online or get the direct download of Promise of Freedom.

USCIS Questions and Answers for New Pilot Naturalization Test

USCIS Pilot Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the Reading Test

Pilot Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the Writing Test


Online Resources for ESL/Citizenship Students (mostly Audio)

a4esl: English as a Second Language (ESL) Podcasts
These are the 20 newest podcasts for ESL learners.

Dave's ESL Cafe: Today in History (text only)

ELCivics.com: California (more states--soon!) (text only)

EnglishBaby's Daily English Page

English Club: Basic Question Types (text only)

English Club: WH Question Words (text only)

ESL-Lab: Culture Shock

ESL-Lab: Dates

ESL-Lab: Greetings and Introductions

ESL-Lab: Where are you from?

ESL Podcast 246 – Understanding Addresses

Manythings: Daily English Page

Multi-Cultural Educational Services: LaRue Listening Quizzes
Multiple choice tests of answers to common questions. (variety of accents)

Train Your Accent: Job Hunting

VOANews: How America Works
This series explains the role of civil society at the local level, using Montgomery County, Maryland as an example. Each segment in the How America Works series highlights an aspect of civil society and how it contributes to the collective good of the community.

VOA Special English: The Making of a Nation
Every Thursday, Special English broadcasts a fifteen-minute program in a series about American history.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Interview-07: Simple Citizenship Interview--Juana Ortega (Las Margaritas, Jalisco, Mexico).


Interview-07
Today we will listen to our seventh practice interview from Juana Ortega (Las Margaritas, Jalisco, Mexico). These are simple questions are based on the N-400. You can get a pdf. of the Simple Citizenship Interview here.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

July 4th Special: the new 142Qs and more!


July 4th Special!
Today's podcast will feature questions related to the Fourth of July, Independence Day, and the Declaration of Independence. We will compare some of the current USCIS 96qs with the Pilot Questions.

Big News: The Pilot Questions have been revised!

1. There are now 142 questions.
2. Two questions were removed related to the minimum wage and battles of the American Revolution.
3. Topical Headings have been added to organize the questions.
4. Some of the questions have been rearranged (i.e. They have different numbers).
5. Questions have been marked for Senior Citizens older that 65 and have been legal permanent residents for more than 20 years.

You can get the reformated USCIS 142 here.

You can get the reformated USCIS 142 for Senior Citizens here.

You can get the M-638 Quick Civics Lessons in English here.

You can get the M-638 Quick Civics Lessons in Spanish here.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Q28-29: USCIS 96 Questions 28-29: Legislative Branch, Congress, House of Representatives


USCIS 96 Questions 28-29

Today we will listen to Questions 28-29 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 28-29 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q28-29:

Legislative Branch
Congress
House of Representatives


You can get more info about the House of Representatives from

Simple Wikipedia: House of Representatives
Wikipedia: 110th Congress
National Atlas: Congressional Districts
House of Representatives: Find Your Representative
USPS Zip Code + 4 Lookup (to help you find your US Rep)
VOA THIS IS AMERICA #1061 Census of 2000