Unit #1 Citizenship Application Process
In this unit of the course, you will:
o
Take a quiz to see how much you already know
o
Learn more about the application process
o Watch students answer N-400 questions
First click on the quiz below to test yourself on how much you already know about the citizenship application process. When you finish that, click on the lesson to view a PowerPoint and video about the citizenship process.
1. Who can apply for citizenship?
Your answer :
"
Someone who is over 18 years old, has had their green card and lived in the U.S. for 5 years.
Correct, but if you are married to a U.S. citizen, all the rest applies, but you only have to wait 3 years."
2. How much does it cost to send in a citizenship application (form N-400)?
Your answer :
$675
correct
3. After the N-400 Application is sent in, how long does it take to get an interview?
Your answer :
6 months
Correct. the actual time varies from person to person, but typically it takes around 6-8 months.
4.What language skills do you need to study for this interview?
Your answer :
Primarily listening and speaking skills and some dictation skills.
Correct, reading and writing skills can help you prepare, but the actual interview is primarily oral questions, with little reading involved.
5. Are you a citizen after your interview is completed successfully?
Your answer :
No
Correct. About 2-3 months after the interview an applicant attends a swearing in ceremony and gets a certificate of citizenship.
CP part 2
All citizenship applicants must complete a complex application and interview process. Understanding that process and the key event - the interview - will help you better prepare your students for success in passing the test.
Click on the PowerPoint below to recap the application process. What new information, if any, do you learn?
The powerpoint will open in a new window. Use the arrow buttons on your keyboard to move from page to page in the powerpoint. When you have completed the powerpoint, come back to this page to move on.
Citizenship Process PowerPoint Show
Now click on continue to watch a mock interview.
CP part 3
This five minute video shows mock interviews of 3 citizenship students answering "introductory" and "yes/no" questions from the N-400 application form.
Before you watch the video, you can click on the links to print out the following forms and handouts for comparison with interview questions.
* N-400 Introductory questions - student practice handout (2 pages)
* N-400 Yes/No questions - student practice handout (4 pages)
* N-400 application form - from INS website (10 pages)
While watching the video notice the following:
* How complex is the language students need to learn?
* Will memorizing answers be enough to pass this interview?
* What interview skills do students need to learn?
Click here to watch video Mock Interview Video
After you watch the video, return to this window and click on "Continue".
Lesson One
CP part 4
Summary of Citizenship Process
Following is a summary of key information about the citizenship process to keep in mind.
Print copy, click here
Eligibility – who can apply?
* 18 years old or more
* Had green card for 5 years
* Had green card for 3 years if married to a citizen
How long does it take? It can differ from person to person. Approximate times are as follows:
Application Process
Send in your N-400
Begin
First letter from INS says application received
1st or 2nd month
Get fingerprint letter
3rd or 4th month
Receive letter of invitation for interview
5th or 6th month
Go in for interview
6th or 8th month
Got to swearing in ceremony, you are now a citizen
9th or 12 month
How much does it cost? $675 total ($595 application form, $80 fingerprint fee)
Now click on continue, to go on to unit 2.
Unit #2
Teaching Citizenship - Basics
In this unit of the course, you will:
o
Identify which students should attend citizenship class
o
Watch students answering history and government questions
o
Take a quick quiz to review citizenship basics
Click on "Lesson Two" below to begin.
CB1
Who should take citizenship classes?
Students who ...
* Have had their green card (resident alien card) for at least 4 years.
* Are at least high beginning English language learners.
Click here to see a PowerPoint with details on which students should attend citizenship classes.
Now click on "Continue" to find out more about resources and materials.
The naturalization (citizenship) interview typically lasts for about 15 or 20 minutes. Following is a three minute video of students answering history and government questions during a mock interview with an instructor.
While watching the video, think about the following:
* What do students do when they don't understand a question?
* Is incorrect grammar or an accent an impediment to answering the questions or communicating during the interview?
* What does the reading/dictation process involve?
Before watching the video, print out the 96 history and government questions.
After watching the video, close the window to return to this lesson.
Click here to watch the video Student Interview and Dictation
Click on "Continue" to take a quick quiz on this lesson.
Quiz
1. Who should take citizenship classes?
Your answer :
Students who have had their green cards for 4 years or more.
Correct.
2. What are students tested for in the Citizenship interview?
Your answer :
An understanding of U.S. history and law.
They must understand U.S. history and basic English speaking, reading and writing skill
3. What interview skills should students learn to pass their interview? Your answer : They need to learn how to ask for repetition and clarification. Correct. Phrases such as "Please repeat" or "Excuse me" are helpful.
Unit 3
Teaching Strategies
In this unit of the course, you will:
o Identify materials and classroom activities
o Watch a video on citizenship classroom instruction
o Review activities to include in lesson plans
Click on "Lesson Three" below to begin.
TC 1
This unit provides you with a set of citizenship teaching handouts, a textbook bibliography and basic teaching techniques to use in your citizenship class. First go to this website and download the following four student handouts: http://www.themlc.org/teachcitizenship
* Early History
* Constitution
* 96 questions
* Dictation sentences
Then click on the following PowerPoint for details on how to use these materials. Classroom Materials and Activities
After watching the PowerPoint close the window to return to this page and click on "Continue" to go to the next page and watch a video on classroom instruction.
TC 2
This five minute video shows scenes from a two hour citizenship class. During the first hour the teacher reviews the N-400 appplication and interview process and has students do pair practice with handouts. During the second hour the teacher has students read and discuss a unit on the U.S. Constitution from the textbook, "Passing the Test" by Lynne Weintraub.
Class outline:
* First hour: Review of N-400 Questions, pair practice
* Second hour: Study the constitution, pair practice, game, dictation
As you are watching the video, consider the following questions:
1. How does the instructor use the N-400 form and class handouts?
2. What purpose does the white board topic outline provide?
3. How does the teacher involve students in the learning process?
Citizenship Class Video : 5 minutes
After watching the video, close the window to return to this page and click on "Continue".
TC3
Pronunciation and vocabulary exercises for up to 3-5 words can be informally integrated into each lesson. At the end of each pair practice session or after each textbook page ask students, "What questions do you have about pronunciation or meaning?"
Write words on the board as students bring them up. For example:
Con/sti/tu/tion - laws of the U.S. (freedom of speech)
Draw lines to help students understand the number of syllables. Clap or tap out the syllables as students repeat the word. Use backward build-up techniques (video segment ) to help students master pronunciation. Elicit a simple definition from students and then discuss the word by using additional concrete examples of what this really means.
Graphics: Refer back to pictures in the textbook when possible to illustrate meaning, or bring pictures that illustrate definitions of words not covered in the textbook and that you have found are difficult for students to understand.
Dictation practice is a nice way to wrap up each class. Have students take out their sheet of dictation sentences (see resources). Indicate which sentence you plan to dictate. Have students read the sentence and then write it as you dictate it. Initially students can read while writing the sentence, but as their spelling proficiency increases, encourage them to write it without looking at the sentence.
Before you give the dictation, write "Please Repeat" on the board. Then tell students to ask you to repeat during the dictation. Guessing is an important skill to encourage. Students can pass the dictation portion if their sentence is readable and 70% correct.
To print out a complete list of Interview tips and dictation strategies click on this link Interview Tips. To review the dictation portion of the class video, click on this link: Dictation Video Segment .
To go to lesson four, click on "Continue".
Unit 4
Online Resources
In this unit of the course, you will:
o Review online MLC citizenship websites
o Visit online interview practice websites to use with students
o Visit government websites useful for helping students with the citizenship application process
Click on "Lesson Four" to begin.
The Minnesota Literacy Council has a number of good citizenship resources that can be accessed from their website. Direct links are listed below:
* Teaching handouts: http://www.theMLC.org/teachcitizenship
* Issues and updates: http://www.themlc.org/citizenshipissues
* Links to USCIS websites and upcoming citizenship in-service information: http://www.theMLC.org/citizenshipresources
* Citizenship Process information: http://www.themlc.org/citizenshipprocess.html
To be added to the MLC citizenship email update list, you can contact Ron Mazurowski at ronm@theMLC.org
Citizenship Interview practicewebsites can be used to reinforce classroom lessons and provide additional opportunities for students who want more repetitive question and answer practice right before their interview.
http://www.themlc.org/citizenwebsites.html
Click on the handout to print out the password to use the Metro North online practice website.
Metro North Website directions
Click "Continue" to learn more about resources available on the USCIS website.
The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) website has numerous resources to help immigrants with the citizenship application process. http://www.uscis.gov
The N-400 form can be filled out online and then printed and mailed in, or simply printed by educators to copy and distribute among their students. Students will need to send in:
* Completed N-400 application form
* 2 passport pictures
* $675 for the application and fingerprint fee
* Photocopy of their Green card
Complete directions and the form can be printed out from this website. http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-400.pdf
CF4
Infopass: Appointments to consult with an INS officer about one's citizenship status in Bloomington or another local INS office must be made using the online appointment website http://infopass.uscis.gov . Appointments may not be made by phone or by visiting INS offices.
Selective Service Registration: Male citizenship applicants who became permanent residents (Green card holders) between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the military. If you find out that your student falls in this category and hasn't yet registered, you can help them register at the following government website http://www.sss.gov . If they have already registered but have forgotten their registration number, this website can help them find that too.
For additional online citizenship resources, click on this link.
Now click on "continue" to move on to Unit 5 and take a quick survey.
Books
Voice of Freedom-English & Civics for the U.S. Citizenship Exam, Second Edition by Bill Bliss w/ Steven J. Molinsky
amazon.com
Applying
Applying for US Citizenship Part 1 of 4
"Debby Alter from JFVS gives detailed instructions on how to apply for United States Citizenship. Part 1 of 4 "
Green Card
Miscellaneous
Process
United States Citizenship Process
"Learn more at http://www.SaberHacer.com - Here is what you need to know about the citizenship process including a tour by experts at the U.S. Citizen & Immigration Department.
"
Resources