US Citizenship Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Q28-29: USCIS 96 Questions 28-29: Legislative Branch, Congress, House of Representatives Jul 03, 2007

Show notes

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

Q25-27: USCIS 96 Questions 25-27: Legislative Branch, Congress, Senate Jun 30, 2007

Show notes

Today we will listen to Questions 25-27 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 25-27 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 25-27:

Legislative Branch
Congress
Senate

You can get more info about the US Senate from

Simple Wikipedia: US Senate
Wikipedia: US Senate
US Senate: Historical Minutes (excellent short stories)

USCIS Pilot Exam Questions and Answers Jun 27, 2007

Show notes

Here is the USCIS link to information about the USCIS Pilot questions.

Here is the reformatted document of the USCIS Pilot Questions in English from US Citzenship Podcast

Here is the USCIS Pilot Questions in Spanish from Univison.

Here is the USCIS Pilot Questions in Chinese from World Journal (Taiwan).

WelcometoUSA.gov Jun 25, 2007

Show notes

"The Task Force on New Americans today introduced four new inter-agency initiatives to help immigrants assimilate. In addition to launching WelcometoUSA.gov, the federal government's official website for new immigrants, the Task Force announced three major projects to help legal immigrants embrace the common core of American civic culture, learn English, and fully become American."--from the USCIS Press Release announcing the new website for immigrants WelcometoUSA.gov.

Q21-24: USCIS 96 Questions 21-24: Legislative Branch, Congress, Senate, House of Representatives Jun 20, 2007

Show notes

Today we will listen to Questions 21-24 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 21-24 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 21-24:

Legislative Branch
Congress
Senate
House of Representatives

You can get more info about the Congress and Legislative Branch from

Simple Wikipedia: Congress
Wikipedia: Congress
Government Guide: Elected Officials
Government Guide: Summary of Current Bills
EL/Civics: Capitol Hill

You can listen to all the 96 Questions at uscitizenpod.blogspot.com.

Q20-20: USCIS 96 Questions 20-20: The Branches of Government, Executive, Legislative, Judicial Jun 07, 2007

Show notes

Today we will listen to Question 20 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q20 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 Q20:

Branches of Government
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
You can get more info about the Branches of Government from
1. Simple English Wiki: Branches of Government
2. Wikitext: The Three Branches: Checks and Balances
3. USA.gov The Executive Branch
4. USA.gov The Legislative Branch
5. USA.gov The Judicial Branch

Q17-19: USCIS 96 Questions 17-19: The Constitution and Amendments Jun 06, 2007

Show notes

Today we will listen to Questions 17-19 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q17-19 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 Q17-19:

Constitution
Amendments

You can get more info about the Constitution and Amendments from

El/Civics: The Constitution
Simple English Wikipedia: The Constitution
Wikipedia: The Constitution
Audio version of US Constitution: free mp3 download
DoD Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Website (online course)

Teacher Judy is our special guest. She will read the M-638 explanations. After the questions and explanations, I will interview her about Constitution Day. We hope that you celebrate Constitution Day in your school or home. Constitution Day is also called Citizenship Day.

The Constitution Center (NCC in Philadelphia, PA)

Q14-16: USCIS 96 Questions 14-16: Vice-President, Electoral College Jun 06, 2007

Show notes

Today we will listen to Questions 14-16 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q14-16 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 Q14-16:

Vice-President
Electoral College

You can get more info about Vice-Presidents or the Electoral College from

Wikipedia: Vice-President
US National Archives: Electoral College
VOA: How the Electoral College Works (2nd Segment)

Q12-13: USCIS 96 Questions 12-13: President, George Washington, George W. Bush Jun 04, 2007

Show notes

Today we will listen to Questions 12-13 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout Q12-13 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 Q12-13:

President
George Washington
George W. Bush

You can get more info about Presidents from

EL/Civics: George Washington
Wikipedia: President
The White House: Presidents

VOA and the New USCIS Fee Increase Jun 01, 2007

Show notes

I use Voice of America (VOA) frequently in my Senior (multi-level) ESL class. My advanced students are devoted listeners and always share the latest news with the other students. Here is the VOA story on the USCIS fee increase:

Advocates Debate Rise in Fees for US Residency, Citizenship

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-05-30-voa19.cfm (audio)

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-05-30-voa59.cfm (video)

I plan to keep my eye on the VOA page at ManyThings.org. Hopefully they will follow-up with an activity on this story.

See uscitizenpod.blogspot.com for further comments about explaining the fee increase to a ESL1 class.