Thursday, December 31, 2009

Saying Goodbye to 2009, Hoping for a Better 2010

ESL 5 Students from Milpitas Adult School

VOANews: Saying Goodbye to 2009, Hoping for a Better 2010
We ask some Americans what they will be doing to celebrate the New Year.

VOAVideo: World's Citizens Express Concerns, Hopes for New Year

As the new year approaches, VOA interviewed people around the world to find out about their hopes and concerns.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Nancy Fichtner's SAVE Award Story

USCIS 96:91. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.



WH.gov: Nancy Fichtner's SAVE Award Story

Join Nancy Fichtner on a trip to deliver her SAVE Award winning idea to President Obama at the White House. The SAVE Award was held for the first time this year, it is a contest for federal employees to come up with the best ideas to save taxpayer dollars and make the government perform more effectively and efficiently.

USCIS 96:91. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.

  • to obtain Federal government jobs
  • to travel with a U.S. passport
  • to petition for close relatives to come to the United States to live

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Mixed Reviews for Obama's First Year



VOAVideo: Mixed Reviews for Obama's First Year

Barack Obama's election victory in November 2008 was greeted with enormous enthusiasm around much of the world. Most Europeans looked to the new president to restore the transatlantic partnership, to work for peace and to spearhead the fight against global warming. In the Middle East, people hoped he would focus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But as VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London, the enthusiasm has faded

Monday, December 28, 2009

US Buddhists Join In Christmas Celebration



VOANews: US Buddhists Join In Christmas Celebration

It has long been true that Christmas is not just for Christians any more. Many people, of many different religious persuasions or of no persuasion at all, celebrate the day and the season. Followers of Buddhism in the Washington area are among the groups celebrating the tradition.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Letting Religion Into the Classroom, but Setting Limits

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

A Holiday display in the ESL 6 classroom

VOANews: Letting Religion Into the Classroom, but Setting Limits
U.S. public schools must be neutral about religion. But the Constitution protects the rights of students who wish to express their faith. A first-grade teacher explains how she handles the subject at Christmastime.

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

  • You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration

VOANews: Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration
African-Americans as well as Africans throughout the world celebrate Kwanzaa. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa (Dec 26-Jan 1) is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

Unity
Self-Determination
Collective Work and Responsibility
Cooperative Economics
Purpose
Creativity
Faith

Watch: Kwanzaa Windows Media
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Friday, December 25, 2009

Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve

100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

WH.gov: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve

For the first time in a weekly address, the President is joined by the First Lady as they celebrate Christmas. They both honor those serving overseas, those who have sacrificed for their country, and the families that stand by them. December 24, 2009. (Public Domain)

VOANews: Obama Delivers Christmas Message (added 12/27/09)

100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Communal Giving

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

VOAVideo: Marines Collect Toys for Children's Holidays

Christmas is a time for giving in the United States, especially to young children who look forward to getting presents. But some families don't have money to buy gifts. One program, sponsored by the U.S. Marines, collects donated toys that are distributed to underprivileged children during the holiday season. VOA's Deborah Block tells us about Toys for Tots.


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

  • vote
  • join a political party
  • help with a campaign
  • join a civic group
  • join a community group
  • give an elected official your opinion on an issue
  • call Senators and Representatives
  • publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
  • run for office
  • write to a newspaper

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Gingerbread White House

USCIS 96:94. What is the White House?



WH.gov: The Gingerbread White House

Each year, the White House Pastry Team comes together with other members of the White House staff to work on a favorite holiday tradition: The White House Gingerbread House. December 2, 2009 (Public domain)

USCIS 96:94. What is the White House?

  • The White House is the President’s official home.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Inside the White House: The Cabinet

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

▪ Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President

Friday, December 18, 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

USCIS 100:07 Quick Civics Lessons and N-400 Practice

USCIS 100:07 mp3

Today we start a new series based on the USCIS Quick Civics Lessons (M638). This episode, we will review only one question plus liten to an exerpt of USCitizenPod's Easy Interview--15 question based on the N-400. Let's begin!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Friday, December 11, 2009

Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize

VOAVideo: Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Barack Obama has formally accepted the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway. VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson reports the president spoke at length about the circumstances that push nations to war, and prompt them to seek peace.

VOA Special Report: The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

Many VOA stories about the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama.

Kudos to VOANews for gathering and disseminating differing responses from domestic and international sources!

WhiteHoue.gov: Remarks by the President at the Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize (text)

News English Lessons: World Split Over Obama Nobel Prize

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009

President Obama Lights the National Christmas Tree



White House: President Obama Lights the National Christmas Tree

The President, joined by the First Family and Vice President and Dr. Biden, hosts the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse. December 3, 2009.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

UN Climate Change Conference



VOA Special Report: UN Climate Change Conference

U.N. officials, climate experts, environmental activists, and leaders of more than 100 nations gather in Copenhagen, Denmark for a two-week conference on climate change beginning 7 December.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

USCIS 100:05-06 Quick Civics Lessons and N-400 Practice

USCIS 100:05-06 mp3

Today we continue our series based on the USCIS Quick Civics Lessons (M638). Each episode, we will review two questions plus practice a section from the N-400 related to the USCIS questions. Lets begin!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

USCIS 100:03-04 Quick Civics Lessons and N-400 Practice

USCIS 100:03-04 mp3

Today we continue our series based on the USCIS Quick Civics Lessons (M638). Each episode, we will review two questions plus practice a section from the N-400 related to the USCIS questions. Lets begin!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

USCIS 100:01-02 Quick Civics Lessons and N-400 Practice

USCIS 100:01-02 mp3

Today we start a new series based on the USCIS Quick Civics Lessons (M638). Each episode, we will review two questions plus practices a section from the N-400 related to the USCIS questions. Lets begin!