Citizenship Resources for Labor Day Resources

LISTEN to the FULL Podcast:  Citizenship? WE CAN DO IT! and take the quiz

Citizenship Resources for Labor Day

• American English at State: Labor Day
• DOL.gov US Department of Labor: The History of Labor Day
• EL Civics: Labor Day
• ESL Library: Labor Day
• National Museum of American History: Labor Unions
• Smithsonian.edu: Labor Day
• TED-ED: Why do Americans and Canadians celebrate Labor Day? -Kenneth C. Davis (video)
• USCIS: Labor Day (lesson plan)
• uscitizenpod: Citizenship? WE CAN DO IT! Labor Day Podcast mp3 and pdf
• uscitizenpod: Revised N-400 Section 8 Interview  
• uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Bootcamp 
• Episode 1 of 5: Introduction
• Episode 2 of 5: Vocabulary
• Episode 3 of 5: She Built Ships in World War II plus video
• Episode 4 of 5: Mini-Dialogues about Work
• Episode 5 of 5: The Interview
• VOA Learning English: Immigrants Learn Nursing Skills as They Learn English
• VOA Learning English: Immigrant Students Dream of Helping People
• VOA Learning English: Immigrants Find Their American Dream in the Kitchen
• VOA Learning English: Immigrants Cooking Up a Fusion of Cultures and Cuisines (video)
• VOANews: Journey to the Maid of the Mist': Immigrants and the Great American Road Trip (2017)
• VOANews: Exhibit Reveals How American Workers' Lives Have Changed (2017)

Check back for updates!

Childrens Citizenship Ceremony

sandiegoda: Childrens Citizenship Ceremony

District Attorney Summer Stephan joined other local leaders as a guest in a very special citizenship ceremony on Friday: The Children's Citizenship Ceremony, in which young immigrants from over 20 countries were sworn in as new US Citizens. Congratulations!

Learn more about the DA’s Office on http://danewscenter.com/

Immigrants Thrive at Minnesota Farming Co-Op

VOANews: Immigrants Thrive at Minnesota Farming Co-Op

In Minnesota, Hmong farmers have banded together to make a better living. Originally from China, the Hmong are an Asian ethnic group that migrated to Vietnam and Laos in the 18th century. But they have never had a country of their own. After the Vietnam War ended, many resettled in the U.S. and now, decades later, Hmong farmers are at the center of a local foods economy in Minnesota. VOA’s June Soh has more in this report narrated by Carol Pearson.

WaPo: US passports denied along Texas border

CNN: WaPo: US passports denied along Texas border

A growing number of Hispanics along the Texas-Mexico border with birth records showing they were born in the United States are being denied American passports, held in immigration detention centers, and entered into deportation proceedings, immigration attorneys and individuals affected told the Washington Post. CNN's Nick Valencia reports.

U.S. Citizenship Class 04, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School

US Citizenship Bootcamp Episode 4 of 5: Mini-Dialogues about Work

Jennifer and Jeane demonstrate two mini-dialogues from US Citizenship Bootcamp about Financial Support and Work of National Importance Under Civilian Directions by using examples from She Built Ships During WWII.

US Citizenship Bootcamp and She Built Ships During WWII are available from Amazon.com and ESLPublishing.com

This class, we are discussing WORK in preparation for LABOR DAY

N-400 

• Ready for the Interview by Lynn Weintraub (Work)
• uscitizenpod: Revised N-400 Section 8 Interview  
• A4 Beginning Interview

Civics

• Citizenship Passing the Test by Lynn Weintraub 
• si.edu: Preparing for the Oath: A Growing Nation
• Colonial Quiz

Intergration

• Citizenship Interview with Juah Sarwee  plus 10qs about US Geography and Symbols pdf  

Early America - Intermediate Level

The Early America lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 10, 58, 59, and 87.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 196 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 314 KB)

Download answer key (PDF, 31 KB)

A Coloring Book for Migrant Children Representing Themselves | NYT - Opinion

NYTimes: A Coloring Book for Migrant Children Representing Themselves | NYT - Opinion

The U.S. government expects children, as young as 18 months and unable to speak, to represent themselves in immigration court to fight against their deportation. Lawyers in Miami made a coloring book to help kids understand what they’re facing.

Read the story here: https://nyti.ms/2MPoigC

U.S. Citizenship Class 03, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School

geobeats: 10 Mind-Blowing Geographical Facts About The US

N-400

• Ready for the Interview by Lynn Weintraub 
• n-400r-3     Accommodations
• n-400r-4     Contact Info
• n-400r-5     Residence
• Beginning Interview A3

Civics

• Citizenship Passing the Test by Lynn Weintraub pg 22-31
• USCIS 100:88-95 Geography
• si.edu: Preparing for the Oath: Geography

Integration

• Beginning Citizenship Class 1 Quiz (in development)

U.S. Geography - Intermediate Level

The U.S. Geography lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 44, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 689 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 1.59 MB)

Download answer key (PDF, 1.19 MB)

Check back for updates!

U.S. Citizenship Interview with Officer David

uscitizenpod: U.S. Citizenship Interview with Officer David



Before we begin, we would like to mark the passing of Senator John McCain. in the democratic strongholds of San Jose and Milpitas, this Republican senator is held in high esteem as a warrior who pursued peace out of his deep respect for the Vietnamese people. His wisdom will be deeply missed.

Because it is the beginning of the school, we will listen to an easy Citizenship Interview of 15 questions based on the N- 400 Application for Naturalization plus geography and civics questions ending with the number one. Let's get started!

Office David referred to the following script:

Elementary Interview based on the Revised N-400 (21qs) (updated 04/18/2016)

• pdf: http://goo.gl/ZfO3W9 
• pptx: https://goo.gl/8kd5vB
• vocab pdf: https://goo.gl/4k95qN

US Senator John McCain, Statesman and War Hero, Dies

uscitizenpod: US Senator John McCain, Statesman and War Hero, Dies

Best known for having survived as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and winning the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, John Sidney McCain remained an ardent and unapologetic believer in American exceptionalism. Michael Bowman has more.

U.S. Citizenship Class 02, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School

N-400

• Ready for the Interview by Lynn Weintraub pg 14-34
• n-400r-0     Before the Interview plus mp3
• n-400r-1     Eligibility
• n-400r-2     Info About You (pg 1)
• Beginning Interview A2

Civics

• Citizenship Passing the Test by Lynn Weintraub pg 1-21
• ESL Holiday Kit by Elizabeth Claire: Pledge of Allegiance & Anthem
• USCIS 100:96-100 Symbols and Holidays

Integration

• Beginning Citizenship Class 1 Quiz (in development)

Homework

American Symbols and Celebrations - Intermediate Level

The American Symbols and Celebrations lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 52, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 559 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 383 KB)

Download answer key (PDF, 53 KB)

Integration

Check Back for updates!

Is Burning the American Flag Legal?

VOA Learning English: 8 US Supreme Court cases - Johnson v Texas

The United States constitution guarantees a number of rights to U.S. citizens. One of the most famous is the right to free speech. But what if people say or do horrible things?

• Is Burning the American Flag Legal?  (text plus quiz)

Welcome to Milpitas Adult School's Citizenship Class

Welcome to Milpitas Adult School's Citizenship Class

Preparing for Naturalization (updated 04/18/2016)

• PPTX http://goo.gl/p6kNWH
• Quiz based on Video transcript http://bit.ly/1xosSkj
• Video http://bit.ly/usnatzvideo
• Vocabulary Quiz http://goo.gl/w86kWi

N-400

• Beginning Inteview (1 pg, 10qs) (updated 04/18/2016)
• pdf http://goo.gl/kxzSuT
• PPTX http://goo.gl/BeFXUD

Check back for updates!

US Citizenship Interview with Felipe Toledo

US Citizenship Interview with Felipe Toledo listen / watch


Today we celebrate Back To School Week with an quick interview with Felipe Toledo.

US Citizenship Oath Taking Naturalization Ceremony

R. Edge P.: US Citizenship Oath Taking Naturalization Ceremony

Immigrants from India Increasing at US-Mexico Border

Map source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Border_Region.png

VOANews: Immigrants from India Increasing at US-Mexico Border

Immigrants from India are becoming increasingly common at the U.S.-Mexico border. They are now the fifth-largest group after immigrants from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador...Many of the immigrants are Sikhs who are fleeing "political persecution" with a religious component, say lawyers who represent them in U.S. asylum cases. (read more)

Huong’s Second US Citizenship Interview

uscitizenpod: Huong’s Second US Citizenship Interview
In this interview, Huong has returned to class.  while she was absent, she watched Citizenship interviews every day. Watch Huong's earlier video.

uscitizenpod: Huong's Practice Interview (UPDATED Closed Captions)
Huong's daughter practices with Teacher Jennifer so that Huong can prepare for her Citizenship Interview while she is taking care of her son in the hospital.
https://youtu.be/tkWFdH9D5WE

Pakistan and India Independence Day

In honor of my many students from Pakistan and India.

A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of India and Pakistan Independence Day pdf

Pakistan

• Tasleem's First Practice Interview video
• Tasleem's Second Practice Interview video
• Tasleem Khaldoon talks about her Citizenship Interview video

India

• A "Casual" Citizenship Interview with Vanita mp3
• A Citizenship Question in Honor of Diwali audiogram
• An "Everyday" Citizenship Interview with Munni Thakkar mp3
• Bhasker Banjara's Constitution Week Interview at the Milpitas Library video
• Bhavna's “Typical” Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N 400r video
• Bhavna talks about her Citizenship Interview at the Milpitas Library video
• C. S. Chokshi's Citizenship Interview at the Milpitas Library video
• Citizenship Quiz in Honor of India and Pakistan Independence Day pdf
• Nithya Deepak: Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence Day pdf
• Shiv's Practice Citizenship Interview video
• Summer School Practice Citizenship Interview #5 with Suresh Kumar Malhan (India) video
• Suwarna and Bhasker Banjara (India/Kenyas) talk about their Citizenship Interviews at the Milpitas Library video

Min Hui's Citizenship Interview

Min Hui's Citizenship Interview watch / listen 



In San Jose, we have really noticed the recent increased wait times to process N-400 Applications for Naturalization. Applicants who used to wait about four months are now waiting eight months or more. This weekend I received a joyful text from my long-time student, Min Hui, that she finally received her citizenship appointment letter. Here is her practice interview from June plus a round-robin civics quiz from her fellow citizenship students. After her interview, I will talk a bit more about how to check USCIS Processing times.

How to check USCIS Processing Times

1. Go to USCIS.gov

2. Click the CHECK PROCESSING TIMES link (under TOOLS)

3. Select Form: N-400; Field Office: (your field office)

4. Click GET PROCESSING TIME button

5. USCIS will give you a processing date range and “Receipt date for a case inquiry" (for example the SJ office is 8-14 months and the receipt date for a case inquiry is June 20, 2017)

Note 1: You can also create an account to see your personalized case completion time on this Get Processing Time results page.

Note 2: If your receipt date is before the “Receipt date for a case inquiry", you can submit an “outside normal processing time” service request online. The link is on this Get Processing Time results page under CASE MANAGEMENT TOOLS.

Note 3: You can also use the USCIS digital assistant EMMA to guide you through this procedure.

Note 4: If you prefer to talk to a USCIS officer in person, go to the TOOLS, the APPOINTMENTS. You can make an appointment at the INFOPASS page. The officer can check your case status but cannot give legal advice.


Thanks to the students and staff of Milpitas Adult School. A special thanks goes out to Min Hui and her classmates.

Naturalization Ceremony City of Las Vegas 2018

KCLV-TV Las Vegas City of Las Vegas Television: Naturalization Ceremony City of Las Vegas 2018

One US Immigrant's Long Road to Asylum

VOA Learning English: One US Immigrant's Long Road to Asylum

Huong's Practice Interview

uscitizenpod: Huong's Practice Interview (UPDATED Closed Captions)

Huong's daughter practices with Teacher Jennifer so that Huong can prepare for her Citizenship Interview while she is taking care of her son in the hospital.

English Vocabulary for the Naturalization Test
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/study-test/study-materials-english-test

Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/study-test/study-materials-civics-test

Happy National Book Lovers Day

Teacher Jennifer says: I use many Citizenship books in my class.  You can purchase my book, US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview on Amazon or ESLPublishing (Teacher samples and discounts for class sets available!)

Happy International Cat Day

What are two rights in the DeCLAWration of Independence?
a) Life and liberty
b) Peace and prosperity
c) Property and profits
d) Speech and press

US Citizenship Interview with Min Zheng

uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Interview with Min Zheng



Here is a recording with Min Zheng, a doctor from China. After her interview, the students ask her the civics questions. It may be a little difficult to hear and understand some of the questions. Use this opportunity to listen for key words and practice asking, "Excuse me, can you please repeat the question?" Let's get started.

A bit more a Min Zheng. One of the most interesting things about her is that she did not go to school to learn English. She learned English solely from mobile apps and an online community on We Chat that like to practice English. As she gained more confidence, she practiced speaking English with her grandchildren especially when she helped them with their homework.

I can recommend two mobile apps to learn English:

DuoLingo--This app is free. I am using it now to study German, but you can also download DuoLingo in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, or many other languages to study English.

USALearns--This app is free or you can study at their website, USALearns.org which includes a intensive Citizenship course which includes difficult N-400 vocabulary.

Old Sturbridge Village Naturalization Ceremony

Worcester News Tonight: Old Sturbridge Village Naturalization Ceremony

Chandler Walsh reports- More than 100 people celebrated their first Independence Day as American citizens in Sturbridge.

Happy Birthday, President Barack Obama

"Yes We Can!" Cake decorated by the Larson Family of San Jose, CA
in honor of the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, January 2009.

'Speak English'

LATimes: I am raising my daughter to speak three languages. A stranger demanded I 'speak English' to her. (read) (video)

“You don’t need to worry about my child,” I told her. She speaks English, Armenian and Spanish and is learning a fourth language.
“How many languages do you speak?” I asked.
“I speak Een-glish,” she told me, hand on hip. “That’s what matters.”
Then she asked how well my daughter could know any of her languages — to which I replied, smiling, “You would be surprised.”
That evening, with a mix of emotions, I described the encounter on Twitter.
What came next stunned me... (read more)

Huong's Practice Interview

uscitizenpod: Huoung's Practice Interview

Huong's daughter practices with Teacher Jennifer so that Huong can prepare for her Citizenship Interview while takes car of her son in the hospital.

Register for the New School Year

2018 MAE students: 

Come to re-register for 2018-2019 ESL/Citizenship Classes

July 30 to August 03 (M-Th 8:00am-5:00pm; F 8:00am-3:00pm) 

New students: 

Come to register for 2018-2019 ESL/Citizenship Classes

August 06 to August 10 (M-Th 8:00am-5:00pm; F 8:00am-3:00pm) 

Your test will be scheduled for August 13 or 14

Milpitas Adult School

1331 E. Calaveras Blvd., Bldg 400, 

Milpitas, CA 95035

(408) 635-2692

adulted.musd.org

Find an Adult Education School in California

https://www.otan.us/caaeproviders/

Find a federally funded Adult Education Program in the United States

https://www.nationalliteracydirectory.org/

Have a schedule conflict? Study for English and Citizenship online!

https://www.usalearns.org/

Guam!

uscitizenpod: Guam!




Today we talk to Annie Marie Rivera Montes, who is a native of Guam and a teacher (retired) of the Chamorro culture. Guam is a territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point (in terms of jurisdiction) and territory of the United States, along with Northern Mariana Islands. The inhabitants of Guam are called Guamanians, and they are American citizens by birth. Indigenous Guamanians are the Chamorros, who are related to other Austronesian natives to the west in the Philippines and Taiwan. (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guam)

USCIS 100:91. Name one U.S. territory.
* Puerto Rico
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* American Samoa
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Guam

Learn more about Guam, the Mariana Islands, and the Chamorro at
Guampedia: Guam’s Online Encyclopedia
https://www.guampedia.com/

Although Guamanian serve in the military at a rate that is three times higher than the rest of the country, their vets' struggle to receive medical services
WATCH: America By the Numbers: Island of Warriors https://www.pbs.org/video/america-numbers-island-warriors

CONTACT: VA.gov or your U.S. congress members. Tell them that you support increased healthcare services for vets, especially those from Guam and the U.S. territories.

This interview was recorded in the Kaiser Vallejo Rehabilitation Center, where Annie Marie's husband and my father where recovering from their strokes. Unfortunately my father passed away the next day. PLEASE learn more about strokes at Stroke.org

My Father, Gene Gagliardi

Gene P. Gagliardi

July 11, 1935 to July 2, 2018
Trinidad, Colorado

Beloved husband of Elinor, Gene is survived by their children: Jennifer, Gene (Guadalupe), Geralie (Darin), Brian (Pam), Daryl (Cheryl), 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, his siblings John, Roseanne, and Patsy, plus many nieces and nephews, most notably James and Sandy.

Gene was a high school All American Football player and two-sport Division I athlete at University of Illinois, where this Phi Kappa Theta brother met his Kappa Delta sweetheart, Elinor. Upon graduation, they married and he served as a naval officer on the USS Hancock. After the Navy, Gene taught Biology, PE, and Driver's Ed and coached Football along with multiple sports at Riordan, Serra, Piedmont Hills, St Mary's Moraga, Santa Clara University, San Jose City College, before retiring from Independence High School where pioneered the intramural program. As a man and as a mentor, his highest value was teamwork and his greatest success came when his students, players, and family succeeded. We all were inspired by his love and fidelity, integrity and piety.
He will be deeply missed.

Friends and family
are invited to the following:

Visitation: Darling-Fischer Garden Chapel, San Jose, Sunday July 8, 4-8pm
Funeral Mass: St Victor's Church, San Jose, Monday July 9, 10 am

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St Victor's Parish School, San Jose, CA

Podcast with my Dad: Election Results 2016
Ten civics questions (one extra credit questions) slightly modified which review the results of the November 8, 2016 General Election. Special Guest Star: my father, Gene Gagliardi.
mp3: https://goo.gl/G3jbKq
pdf: https://goo.gl/hnWXMV (download only)

NOW I FEEL FREE: Yard Goats hold naturalization ceremony on Fourth of July

WTNH News8: Yard Goats hold naturalization ceremony on Fourth of July

The Hartford Yard Goats are celebrating the holiday in the most patriotic way possible. The team welcomed 50 new U.S. citizens to the park.

8 US Supreme Court cases - Loving v Virginia

VOA Learning English: 8 US Supreme Court cases - Loving v Virginia

VOANews: Mixed-Race Marriage Was Illegal in the U.S. Until 1967

Historic High in US Acceptance of Christian Refugees

VOANews: Historic High in US Acceptance of Christian Refugees

United States government records show that nearly 68 percent of all refugees arriving in the country over the past nine months are Christian. That information comes from the U.S. State Department. The acceptance rate represents a 16-year high for Christian refugees. Yet some Christian activists are unhappy about the latest numbers. They note that the number of refugees accepted is much lower than that of recent years. (read more)

Words in This Story

church – n. a Christian religious center; a building where Christians meet for religious services

mobilization – n. coming together for action

console – v. to soothe

proportion – n. the correct measure of something

persecute – v. to treat someone cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs

preference – n. wanting something more than another thing

factor – n. something that influences or produces a result

USCIS 100:99 July 4th, Slavery, and Fredrick Douglass

Happy Independence Day Week! Today we will listen to an old podcast from uscitizenpod: USCIS 100:99 July 4th, Slavery, and Fredrick Douglass

We will first read about Q99 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will discuss the Declaration of Independence, the Compromise of 1850, and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass. Then we will listen to a short reading from Fredrick Douglass speech: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.” Note that Negro was a common term for Black or African-Americans, but it is not often used today. Let's get started.

DOWNLOAD MP3

exerpt from The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro by Fredrick Douglass

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?

I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelly to which he is the constant victim.

To him, your celebration is a sham;
your boasted liberty, an unholy license;
your national greatness, swelling vanity;
your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless;
your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence;
your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery;
your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings,
with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast,
fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages...




TimelessReader1: Meaning of July 4th for the Negro - Frederick Douglass Speech - Hear the Text

Listen to and read text from The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, written by abolitionist and former slave: Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass presented this speech on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, NY. This speech concludes with a poem, a peace prayer, written by William Lloyd Garrison

For more info:

See zinnedproject.org: Frederick Douglass Fights for Freedom

Watch actor Danny Glover read abolitionist Frederick Douglass's "Fourth of July Speech, 1852" on October 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove.)

Citizenship Resources for Independence Day

uscitizenpod: Independence Day Citizenship Interview with Lien Ho (2017)



uscitizenpod: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence Day
New for 2016: 24 questions based on the N-400r plus 10 civics question.

uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Podcast Independence Day Quiz (video)
Celebrate Independence Day with uscitizenpod. Here is a quiz based on USCIS 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.



SI.edu/USCIS: Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship

This web resource provides online videos and activities on the 100 civics questions from the naturalization test and highlights museum objects from the Smithsonian Institution. Visit the “Establishing Independence” and “Symbols and Holidays” themes for information on Independence Day.







USCIS: For Independence Day
USCIS highlights some of the resources for learners and teachers that are related to this important holiday.

NEW: Civics Questions Playlist 

USCIS helps you prepare for the civics test by posting a new paylist: one video for each civics and history question asked by different examiners.  For Independence Day, check out 100:08, 09, 61, 62, 63, 64, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100.  Good job, USCIS!

USCIS: Lesson Plans and Activities

Visit this page to find lesson plans, student handouts, and answer keys on a variety of topics, including Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence (Beginning Level), American Symbols and Celebrations (Beginning and Intermediate Levels), Establishing Independence (Intermediate Level).

USCIS: Independence Day 2015 - Declaration of Independence

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (uscis.gov) thanks everyone who participated in our video project to celebrate the nation's 239th birthday on July 4. To find naturalization ceremony photos and immigrant stories posted by some of the more than 700,000 people each year who become U.S. citizens, check #newUScitizen and #newAmericans on social media.

Follow American English at State on FaceBook

More Resources

American English at State: Celebrate Independence Day (pdf)
Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4 because on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, officially breaking bonds with England and forming a new independent nation, the United States of America.

JenniferESL: Lesson 26 - Red, White & Blue Idioms - Happy Fourth of July!

Learn six idioms based on the colors red, white, and blue.  MORE PRACTICE

Rachel's English: 4th of July Traditions
Happy 4th of July! This is the day we celebrate America’s independence. Study vocabulary, pronunciation, and phrases as we study REAL English conversation and learn about 4th of July traditions in the US.

TED-ED: What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis (video)
In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.

US News: 15,000 people became Americans on Independence Day 2017

Immigrants from around the world celebrated their new American citizenship in over 65 naturalization ceremonies across the United States.


VOANews: Ahead of Independence Day Holiday, Children Take Oath to Become US Citizens
One of the themes of this year's Smithsonian Folk Life Festival is immigration. As part of the festival events, a group of 25 children were sworn in as U.S. Citizens, just ahead of America's Independence Day holiday. VOA's Elizabeth Cherneff reports.Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/independence-day-holiday-children-take-oath-become-us-citizens/3923713.html

VOANews: Americans Reflect on Meaning of Independence Day
Savoring freedoms and hoping others worldwide will soon be able to do the same

VOA Learning English: America's Birthplace: Independence National Historical Park (mp3 and article)
This week, our U.S. National Parks journey takes us to the eastern city of Philadelphia, an important place in American history.

People rally against the separation of immigrant families in the US

People rally against the separation of immigrant families in the US

Plugged in With Greta Van Susteren - Immigration & its impact on American politics

VOANews: Plugged in With Greta Van Susteren - Immigration and its impact on American politics

This week VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone sits in for Greta Van Susteren.

Food Truck Serves up Tacos to Unite Latinos And Muslims #TacoTrucksAtEveryMosque

uscitizenpod: Food Truck Serves up Tacos to Unite Latinos And Muslims #TacoTrucksAtEveryMosque

Nothing brings people together more naturally and more easily than food. This was the idea behind a project called #TacoTrucksAtEveryMosque. But the food truck owners who initiated the project don’t want to only serve delicious food – their goal is to unite Latinos and Muslims -- and fight the stereotypes and offensive rhetoric that often surround them. Genia Dulot has the story from Los Angeles.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4442756.html

#TacoTrucksAtEveryMosque