ProLiteracy online resources: How can I help immigrants prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test?

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ProLiteracy produced a collection of teaching and learning materials for ESL learners eligible to apply to become citizens and take the naturalization test. These materials are available for FREE on Thinkfinity Literacy Network, part of the consortium of sites on Verizon Thinkfinity.org.  The collection includes online, self-paced courses for instructors, print materials, lessons, podcasts, and online student practice interactives. Here’s a description of the collection and a link to the list of all the items in the collection:

Collection Title: How can I help immigrants prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test? (Go to http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/tln/content/how-can-i-help-immigrants...)

In October 2008, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a revised U.S. Naturalization Test, often called the “citizenship test.” This collection will help you organize citizenship classes if you are offering this service for the first time. If you are already teaching citizenship, Lynne Weintraub, citizenship teacher and author, will help you learn about the new test and the teaching strategies you can use to help ensure that students can successfully pass the test. Strategies covered include:

• conversation techniques for use during the interview and when being asked questions about the N-400 Application for Naturalization form
• building on the students’ current knowledge and experience when teaching what they need to know about U.S. history, government, holidays, and geography
• using English-language folk songs such as Row, Row, Row Your Boat to help students remember key civics information
• addressing the needs of students with very limited English language skills

The collection also includes the following information about citizenship for teachers and potential applicants:

• how to become a citizen
• the rights and responsibilities of citizens
• things to think about before deciding to apply for citizenship