ESLPod.com Update

My students constantly ask me for more listening exercises. In my opnions, ESLPod.com is one of most valuable ESL sites on the internet.

You can download the mp3s or subscribe to ESLPod's podcasts for free. Here are some recent examples of ESLPod's features:

ESLPod's Blog: Secret Service Handles
The president of the United States has his own special security protection, special police officers who are responsible primarily for protecting the president and the vice president from any danger.

ESLPod's Podcast: ESL Podcast 427 – Planning a Protest
Planning a political protest can be a lot of work. Learn more about it in this episode. Download Podcast

ESLPod's "Variety Show" English Café 164
Topics: Naming Rights; Famous Americans: Cesar Chavez; Why Americans have middle names; future perfect tense; American versus U.S. as an adjective. Download Podcast

ESLPod's Premium Course: Interview Questions Answered This course is for anyone who wants to learn business English and how to communicate better with American business people. Course Price: $24.99. Listen to a free audio sample

Since Thanksgiving is next week, let me suggest one of their most popular podcast:

ESLPodcast 91 - Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful, but for a lot of people, the holiday also means a weekend of eating a lot and watching football...Download Podcast

**Check out USCitizenPod's 06/29/08 post which links ESLPod shows with the different sections of the N-400.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History Reopens Nov. 21!

Come Celebrate with Us! Reopening Festival Nov. 21-23 The Museum will officially reopen to the public after a two-year renovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony (Friday, Nov. 21, 8:30-10 a.m.).

• Add your photos to our Flickr group and see some of our favorite images
• Follow us on Twitter for live coverage of the reopening events
• Become a fan on Facebook and tell us how we're doing
• Watch our YouTube channel for sneek peeks of new exhibitions and more

NYTimes: America’s Attic, Ready for a Second Act:
When the National Museum of American History reopens, it may begin to shed its reputation as one of the more cramped and confounding corners of the Smithsonian Institution.

• Slide Show: A Museum With a New Look
  

Freedom of Assembly

Sign spotted on the 680N 10th St Exit.

Most people who pass by are on their way to SJSU.

ESL Podcast 427 – Planning a Protest Planning a political protest can be a lot of work. Learn more about it in this episode. Download Podcast

New Citizen: Xu Shang Xia

Yang Baoyu and Xu Shang Xia

Xu Shang Xia was born in Canton, China in 1930. He became a psychology professor and taught in universities in Beijing and Guangzhou. He suffered terribly during the Cultural Revolution, but refused to compromise his intellectual freedom.

Professor Xu and his wife, Yang Baoyu, immigrated to California to help take care of their grandchildren. He and his wife would alternate babysitting duties during the day so that the other could go to ESL class in the morning. In the evening, they would walk over a mile to school to attend citizenship classes. They were diligent and faithful students, true role models to other students and inspiration for their teachers.

On the evening before his Oath Ceremony, Professor Xu and Mrs Yang attended the Citizenship class to talk about their Citizenship interviews. Mrs Yang passed last year, but Professor Xu delayed his inteview for health reasons. They both passed the interview easily because they had made a tremendous effort to study, understand, and practice English and Civics questions and answers.

Most citizenship interviews follow the N-400. The following exchange, however, was a surprise:

Examiner: Have you travelled outside of the United States in the past five years?

Professor: No.

Examiner: Have you travelled outside of the United States during your permanent residence?

Professor: No.

Examiner: If this is true, why do you have so many "stamps" in your (PRC) passport?

Professor: I was a visiting scholar before.

Examiner: What was your field of study?

Professor: I studied psychology.

Examiner: Were you a psychiatrist?

Professor: No, I was not a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a doctor; I was a psychology professor.

Examiner: What schools did you visit?

Professor: University of California at Los Angeles.

Examiner: UCLA?

Professor: Yes.

Examiner: What did you do at UCLA?

Professor: (Universities) exchange teachers. I studied psychology.

The USCIS Examiner seemed satisfied with the answers--he immediately moved to the 96 questions which Professor Xu easily aswered.

I am so proud of Professor Xu because he answered the "surprise" questions clearly and calmly.

• USCIS examiners are not trying to trick people. The USCIS examiner asks more questions to make sure that everyone follows the law.
• Review your N-400 and supporting documents (passport, marriage/divorce certificate, etc).
• Think about what kind of surprise (or embarassing) questions you could be asked.
• Practice these questions and answers.
• Stay calm. Answer each question simply and truthfully.

Citizenship ABC

USCIS 100:01-12--New Series

USCIS 100:01-12

Here is the first podcast on the new 100 Questions (USCIS 100).

CNN: History shines in Washington, D.C.

CNN.com features iReporter photos fron Washington DC in their weekly Travel Snapshots gallery. (slide show)

FamousPeopleLessons.com: Barack Obama

Famous People Lessons.com: English Lesson Plan on Barack Obama

• Word Doc
• PDF
• MP3 Listening
• Online Exercise

Famous People Lessons.com has many, many biographies, but here are a couple more to check out:

• Aung San Suu Kyi Democrary Leader from Burma
• Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General from S. Korea
• Cesar Chavez Union Leader from California
• Hillary Rodham Clinton US Senator from New York
• Martin Luther King Civil rights Leader from Georgia

Oath of Allegiance Quiz

Oath of Allegiance Quiz: match words and phrases with the correct picture

VOANews: Change

Election 2008: 'Change We Need' or 'Country First?' 03 November 2008
MP3 - Download

Election 2008: 'At This Defining Moment, Change Has Come to America'
Barack Obama won a historic presidential race, and his Democratic Party increased its majorities in Congress. Now comes acting on the changes he promised. Transcript of radio broadcast: 10 November 2008
MP3 - Download (MP3)
MP3 - Listen to (MP3)

EASY English Video Series

Some students need extra help with English in preparation for their Citizenship Interview. One of the very best video resources for basic English is EASY English, available in multiple formats: VCR, DVD, CD-ROM, and broadcast television (PBS, HITN). EASY English videos and workbooks are also availabe through local libraries and Distance Learning programs.

Here is a list of the first and second series of Easy English:

1. The Basics: Alphabet, number, colors, calendar, To be.
2. Interactions: Greetings & introductions; Wh?’s, to be, pronouns.
3. Feelings: How are you? Small talk.
4. At School: People, places and things in a school. More "small talk."
5. At Home: Intro to family relationships and a tour of home.
6. The Time: Telling time & daily activities.
7. Your Community: DMV, Form-Filling, Money & Directions.
8. Health Care: The Body, Family Health & Medical Visits.
9. Personal Finance:Banking, Budgets & Shopping.
10. Around Town: Driving, Housing, Govt. & Phone Skills.
11. Education: People, Services & Parent Involvement.
12. Employment: Finding, Getting & Keeping a Job.

Here are some sample video clips:

• Video clip: Where are you from? (from Unit 3)
• Video clip: Job interview (from Unit 12)
• Watch more video clips here.

Video sections that are very important to Citizenship students include

• Filling out Forms: 7/1:03(DMV), 10/47:08 (Rental Application), 12/15:43 (Job Application)
• Community resources (library, police, city hall) 7/55:15, 10/1:04:48
• Government 10/1:09:47

For further information about the First, Second, a *NEW* Third Series (Hotel Work), visit EASY English.

Congratulations to recently naturalized US Citizen, John Dicker, President of Greenfield Learning and Executive Producer of Easy English, on the release of EASY English 3. KUDOS!

VOANews: Names Are Read to Mark 25th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Wall

ARVN Veteran Do Ngoc Xuan

proudly displays his US Citizenship Papers

(reposted from 11/11/07)

Last night, I listened to the VOA's Names Are Read to Mark 25th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Wall. All of a sudden I thought, "I wonder what happened to my POW/MIA?".

When I was freshman in high school, the Viet Nam war was coming to the end. A classmate, Molly Olds, who was an "army brat", convinced me, a Catholic "peacenik", to wear a POW/MIA memorial bracelet. The name on my bracelet: Richard R. Perricone. I never knew what happened to this POW, so I "googled" Perricone. There he was on the POW Network--free and alive--living in New York with his wife. Wow! I hope he is in Washington DC this weekend with his fellow vets. I hope he knows peace.

(Update; many people wrote to say Stff Sgt. Richard Perricone is alive and well).

The VOA story also brings to mind one of my students, Nguyen Kiem Long, formerly of the South Viet Nam Air Force and the Milpitas Adult School Senior ESL Class. He is currently in New York attending to family business, and I and his classmates miss him so much. He is a living example of a free and prosperous Viet Nam.

I also honor Do Ngoc Xuan, a farmer forced to flee the South and join the army. After working the night shift, he comes to the Senior ESL class every day in preparation for US Citizenship--the ticket to freedom for his relatives still in Viet Nam. His goal is shared not only by the Vietnamese students at our school, but by the immigrant communty at large.

On Veterans Day, let us remember the US service men and women, and our allied commrade-in-arms, fighting for the freedom of their own country.

More Resources--

• VOAVideo: Last-Known American World War One Veteran
• Soldier Media Center: Paying Tribute
• Proud Members Of Military Become U.S. Citizens
• NYTimes: Video: Women at War
  Despite what U.S. policy says, female soldiers are on the front lines.
• USCitizenpod Wikispaces: Military

PBS: THE NEW AMERICANS

PBS: THE NEW AMERICANS:
Follow a diverse group of immigrants and refugees as they leave their home and families behind and learn what it means to be new Americans in the 21st century.

Lesson Plans

More Video Clips about Immigration from Independent Lens

America Is . . .

USINFO published an AMAZING Photo Essay: America is . . . You can Download Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version (3.17 MB) or view it online. Topics include:

Introduction

Love of Family
Community
Individuality
Liberty and Freedom
Justice
Democracy
Freedom of Faith
Freedom of Speech
Compassion
Diversity
Equal Rights
Education
Innovation
Opportunity
Hope

Northern CATESOL

Obama Captures the World's Imagination

President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago

Transcript: 'This is your victory,' says Obama

President-elect Barack Obama!!!

Election Day Interview

New Citizens: Mai Anh & Hoanh!

Election Day Interview

Today we will listen to our twelfth practice interview (plus election prediction) with Chau Hoanh Chieu (Saigon, Vietnam). The questions are based on the N-400. Here's a link to the pdf. of the Basic Interview.

USCitizenPod Voting and Election resources

You can download the Slide Show

or vote with the Practice Electronic Ballot.

Here are some voting and election resources:

• New: Practice Electronic Ballot.
• New: USCIS 96/100 Voting and Election (questions and answers)
• New: USCIS 96/100 Voting and Election Quiz (questions--only; plus dictation)
• New: Elected Officials (Who's the current President? Who's the President-elect?)
• Voting Cloze Essay
• Voting Amendments

N-400 Part 10H Quiz

N-400 Part 10H Quiz: pictures, vocabulary, and cloze sentences. Direct download: n400-H-quiz.pdf

N-400 Part 10EFG Quiz

N-400 Part 10EFG Quiz: pictures, vocabulary, and cloze sentences. Direct download: n400-10EFG-quiz.pdf

N-400 Part 10D Quiz

N-400 Part 10D Quiz: pictures, vocabulary, and cloze sentences.Direct download: n400-10D-quiz.pdf

Dictation Sentences 96:91-96

Special Thanks to Mr and Mrs Nakrani for inspiring this dictation series--

Diwali Blessing of Peace and Prosperity!

Dictation Sentences 96:91-96

Here are ten sentences for reading and dictation. These sentences are based on answers to the USCIS 96:91-96 Questions. Instead of phrasal responses, the answers are given in complete sentences.

91. The benefits of being a citizen of the United States are
to obtain Federal government jobs;
to travel with a U.S. passport;
or to petition for close relatives to come to the United States to live.
92. Yes, the Constitution can be changed.
93. The right to vote is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens.
94. The White House is the President’s official home.
95. The United States Capitol (Building) is the place where Congress meets.
96. There are 3 branches in the United States government.

Why would anyone want to stop you from voting?

Dictation Sentences 96:81-90

New Citizen: Ho Thu Huong

Dictation Sentences 96:81-90

Here are ten sentences for reading and dictation. These sentences are based on answers to the USCIS 96:81-90 Questions. Instead of phrasal responses, the answers are given in complete sentences.

81. The President is Commander-in-Chief of the United States military.
82. We vote for the President in November.
83. The new President is inaugurated in January.
84. There is no limit to the number of times a Senator or Congressman may be re-elected.
85. The Democratic and Republican parties are the two major political parties.
86. The executive branch of our government is the President, the Cabinet, and departments under the cabinet members.
87. The freedom of speech comes from the Bill of Rights.
88. The N-400 is used to apply for naturalization.
89. The United States is a republic (and a democracy).
90. The purposes of the United Nations are for countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems or to provide economic aid to many countries.

Dictation Sentences 96:71-80

Dictation Sentences 96:71-80

Here are ten sentences for reading and dictation. These sentences are based on answers to the USCIS 96:71-80 Questions. Instead of phrasal responses, the answers are given in complete sentences.

71. Congress has the power to declare war.
72. The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments guarantee voting rights.
73. The Constitution was written in 1787.
74. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
75. The rights of all people living in the U.S. are guaranteed by the Constitution.
76. The Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution.
77. Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol building.
78. The White House is the President’s official home.
79. The White House is located in Washington D.C.
80. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the Government.

Dictation Sentences 96:61-70

Dictation Sentences 96:61-70

Here are ten sentences for reading and dictation. These sentences are based on answers to the USCIS 96:61-70 Questions. Instead of phrasal responses, the answers are given in complete sentences.

61. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
62. Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil War.
63. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves.
64. The Cabinet advises the President.
65. George Washington is called the “Father of our Country”.
66. George Washington was the first Commander-in-Chief of the US Army.
67. Hawaii was the 50th state to be added to our Union.
68. The Native Americans helped the Pilgrims in America.
69. The Mayflower was the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America.
70. The 13 original states of the U.S. were called colonies.
Direct download: s71-80.mp3

Interview 09: David Bian (Tianjin, China)--FIXED!

Students practice interviewing each other.

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!

N-400 for Local Candidates (blank .doc)

Third time is the charm: New Citizen Cai Yi Lun

Here is a N-400 (blank MS Word .doc) that can be modified for your local candidates.

N-400 for the Vice-Presidential Candidates

Here is a new N-400 for the Vice-Presidential Candidates.

USCIS 96-10s--Remix Accomplished!

The Statue of Liberty Quilt by Maria Elena Padilla (PIQF 2008)

USCIS 96-10s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-10s "Tens": USCIS 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 plus two dictation sentences and handout.

USCIS 96-9s

A Red, White, and Blue Quilt--from New Zealand! (PIQF 2008)

USCIS 96-9s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-9s "Nines": USCIS 09, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 3x
  plus two dictation sentences and handout.

USCIS 96-8s

Detail of a very large patriotic quilt on display

at the Flynn Quilt Frame Company booth.

Flynn Quilt Frames Co. came all the way from Billings, Montana

to Santa Clara, California for PIQF 2008!

USCIS 96-8s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-8s "Eights": USCIS 08, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88, 2x
  plus two dictation sentences and handout.

USCIS 96-7s

Betsy Ross Never Imagined This by Nancy K. McLerran @ PIQF 2008

USCIS 96-7s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-7s "Sevens": USCIS 07, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 1x
  plus two dictation sentences and handout.

New citizens get ready to cast their votes

Ahora marchamos,

mañana votamos!

New citizens get ready to cast their votes By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Although most of the nonpartisan campaigns are helping Latinos with the voting process, some groups are helping Asian Americans prepare for the November elections.

LasVegasNow: 1000 People Sworn in As New Citizens

This is a screenshot. Click here for the video.

Here is an article and video (after a brief commercial) of a recent Oath Cermeony in Las Vegas, NV. At the end of the video, the news anchor and reported discuss the importance of the Latino vote in the upcoming election.

VOANews: Early Voting Begins For US Presidential Election

Early Voting Begins For US Presidential Election
Early voting is underway in the United States as people cast ballots in the presidential election between Republican Party nominee John McCain and the Democratic Party standard bearer Barack Obama. Millions of new voters have registered, and a surge in early voting has some election officials predicting as many as 150 million Americans could vote in the November 4th election. VOA's Chris Simkins has more on the early voting and accusations of voter fraud in some states.

N-400 Part 10BC Quiz

N-400 Part 10BC Quiz: pictures, vocabulary, and cloze sentences.Direct download: n400-10bc-quiz.pdf

N-400 for the Third Debate

Transcript of the Third Debate.

Here is a new N-400 for the Third Debate

VOANews Video: McCain, Obama Clash in Final Debate
Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama clashed often in their third and final U.S. presidential debate. The senators fought over campaign tactics, the economic crisis, and other domestic issues. For the first time, the two discussed face-to-face questions that McCain's campaign has raised over Obama's past associations. The two sparred repeatedly over the increasingly negative tone of the campaign.

N-400 Part 10A Quiz

N-400 Part 10A Quiz: pictures, vocabulary, and cloze sentences.
Direct download: n400-10a-quiz.pdf

N-400 Part 10 quiz

N-400 Part 10 Quiz: match vocabulary and pictures.

More resources for the Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test

• Which Test Do I Take?


• Civics Flash Cards for the New Naturalization Test (7523KB PDF)A useful study tool for teachers and students.


• Civics Flash Cards for the New Naturalization Test (reversed colors) (7084KB PDF)


• Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons for the New Naturalization Test (1532KB PDF)


• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test Informational Brochure (493KB PDF)Scoring Guidelines for the English Portion of the Naturalization Test (40KB PDF)


• Scoring Guidelines for the English Portion of the Naturalization Test (40KB PDF)


• Naturalization Test Redesign Project: Civics Item Selection Analysis (5664KB PDF)


• New Naturalization Test Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (62KB PDF)


• New Naturalization Test Fact Sheet (56KB PDF)

Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions

Students at Milpitas Adult School
take several series of CASAS tests

in preparation for their USCIS Interview.

• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the English Reading Test (165KB PDF)
• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the English Writing Test (167KB PDF)
• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions (336KB PDF)
• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions (Spanish Version) (332KB PDF)
• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions (Chinese Version) (363KB PDF)
• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions (Tagalog Version) (289KB PDF)
• Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions (Vietnamese Version) (278KB PDF)

Mga Katanungan sa Sibika (Kasaysayan at Pamahalaan) para sa Pinalitan ng Disenyo (Bagong) Iksamen para sa Naturalisasyon

Mga Katanungan sa Sibika (Kasaysayan at Pamahalaan) para sa Pinalitan ng Disenyo (Bagong) Iksamen para sa Naturalisasyon (289KB PDF)

Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions (336KB PDF)

Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons for the New Naturalization Test

Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons for the New Naturalization Test (the M638--updated!)

The Debates

Transcipt of the Second Debate

Check back later in the day for student activity: a modified Simple Interview (based on the N-400) for Obama and McCain. Complete this activity before watching the Debate.

update 10/10/08: I am working on a less cluttered version of an N-400 Obama/McCain scripts and will post it soon

update 10/15/08: Here is a new N-400 for the Third Debate

Other Debates

First 2008 Presidential Debate (Full Video)

• Transcript

Vice Presidential Debate with Gov. Palin and Sen. Joe Biden (Full Video)

• Transcript

For more info, see

• VOANews: USA Votes 2008--The Debates!
• ESL Discussions: Conversation Questions on America's 2008 Presidential Election

USCIS 96-6s

Where there's a will, there's a way.

USCIS 96-6s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-6s "Sixes": USCIS 06, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96
  plus two dictation sentences and handout.

USCIS 96-5s

The Milpitas Adult School T/TH Citizenship Class

USCIS 96-5s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-5s "Fives": USCIS 05, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95
  plus two dictation sentences and handout.

Các Câu Hỏi về Công Dân (Lịch Sử và Tổ Chức Công Quyền) cho Trắc Nghiệm Nhập Tịch (Mới) được Tái Soạn Thảo

Do Ngoc Xuan was born in Hanoi & fled to Saigon to fight the Viet Cong.
He escaped with his wife and eight children to the United States.
He loves his family, Vietnam, and the United States.
He is very, very proud to be an American citizen!

Các Câu Hỏi về Công Dân (Lịch Sử và Tổ Chức Công Quyền) cho Trắc Nghiệm Nhập Tịch (Mới) được Tái Soạn Thảo

Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions

VOANews: Capturing the Immigrant Experience on Stage

USCIS 96-4s

Guey-Lan (far left) and Qing Fang (far right) welcome Diep (center)
to the "Sisterhood of US Citizens at Milpitas Adult School".
Nga (left) and Cuc (right) join the Sisterhood soon.

USCIS 96-4s.mp3

The USCIS 96 remixed:

• 96-4s "Fours": USCIS 04, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94
  plus two dictation sentences and handout.