Happy Halloween!

Xu Gejin was born in Chongqing, then moved to Sheyang, China. He adapted his ice sculpting skills to pumpkin carving, and shared his jack o' lantern with his Citizenship classmates at Milpitas Adult School.

Gays and Disabled Are Now Protected Under Hate Crimes Law in US

VOANews: Gays and Disabled Are Now Protected Under Hate Crimes Law in US

On IN THE NEWS: Conservatives objected to adding sexual orientation. Separately, the U.S. criticized international efforts by Islamic countries to ban anti-religious speech.

• Listen to Show (Tip: Left-click, or right-click and choose "Save...") Download (MP3)
• Listen to Show Stream (MP3)
• Print Version

ESL Discussions

• Gay Rights: What do you understand by the term ‘gay rights’?
• Disability: What things do you think disability rights groups campaign for?
• Hate: What do you know about hate crimes? Do they happen in your country?

First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden Observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month

WhiteHouse.gov: First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden Observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month

First Lady Michelle Obama recognizes new advances in the treatment and heightened awareness of breast cancer and says women need health insurance reform to prevent and combat the disease. October 23, 2009.

US Religious Freedom Report Hits Speech Curbs

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

VOAVideo: Religious Freedom Report Criticizes Speech Limits

The U.S. State Department's annual report on religious freedom, released Monday, is critical of what it says are international efforts to limit free speech in the name of combating defamation of religion. The Organization of the Islamic Conference, the OIC, has been pushing such anti-defamation measures in U.N. bodies. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department. (Read the Full Story)

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

• You can practice any religion, or not practice a
  religion.

United Nations Day

"On this UN Day, we must be more united than ever" (UN Sec. General Ban Ki-moon)

The anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has traditionally been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization.

ESL Holidays: United Nations Day

The 24th of October is United Nations Day. It was on this day in 1945 that the U.N. was created. The day became a holiday in 1971.

• DOWNLOADS: Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

Breaking News English: United Nations says rape is a war crime

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced new measures to try to end what he called the "silent war against women and girls" in the world’s war zones.

• Downloads: Word Doc PDF Doc Listening

Famous People Lessons: Ban Ki-moon current U.N. Secretary General

• DOWNLOADS: Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

ESL Discussions: United Nations

• The 33rd US President Harry Truman said: "The United Nations is designed to make possible lasting freedom and independence for all its members." Do you think these will come one day?

Special thanks to Sean Banville for all his great web sites!

Human Rights Groups: US Should Lead Fight for Women

VOAVideo: Human Rights Groups: US Should Lead Fight for Women

According to the World Health Organization, one in three women in the world will experience violence in her lifetime. Human Rights groups are urging members of Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act. The Act would require a commitment by the U.S. government to address and end violence against women and girls globally. It would fund a five-year program to reduce violence in countries where the problem is most serious. Read more...

VOANews Special English: Targeting Violence Aimed at Women in Conflicts
On IN THE NEWS: ''Violence against women is not prosecuted because it is not a top government and urgent social priority,'' actress and U.N. goodwill ambassador Nicole Kidman told U.S. lawmakers.

Vietnamese-American Flag

The American and Vietnamese Heritage Flags proudly fly as one over the future Vietnamese Heitage Garden, Kelley Park, San Jose, CA.

New Citizen: Cam Pham!

Cam likes this picture...

and I like this one.

50th Anniversary of VOA Special English

Happy Birthday, VOA Special English!

VOAVideo: 50th Anniversary of VOA Special English

VOANews: VOA Special English Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

What is VOA Special English?

On October 19, 1959, the Voice of America broadcast the first Special English program. It was an experiment. The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native language was not English. Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA. They still are. Special English continues to communicate with people who are not fluent in English. Over the years, its role has expanded. It helps people learn American English while they learn about American life and stay informed about world news and developments in science. It provides listeners with information they cannot find elsewhere.

Three Elements Make Special English Unique

• It has a core vocabulary of 1500 words. Most are simple words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Some words are more difficult. They are used for reporting world events and describing discoveries in medicine and science.
  
• Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. They use active voice. They do not use idioms.
  
• Special English broadcasters read at a slower pace, about two-thirds the speed of standard English. This helps people learning English hear each word clearly. It also helps people who are fluent English speakers understand complex subjects.

World Split Over Obama Nobel Prize

News English Lessons: World Split Over Obama Nobel Prize

The world is divided over Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.

• The 11-page classroom handout


• Listen to the MP3


• Play the online quiz


• Online gap fill


• The giant gap fill


• Definition activity


• Online crossword


• Play hangman


• Vocab. flash cards


• Word matching

Rep. Honda speaking at Reform Now's Immigration Rally

Rep. Honda (CA-15, D) from San Jose/Milpitas speaks about the importance of families in any reform effort at Reform Now's Immigration Rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol.

President Obama's Diwali Message

The President extends holiday wishes for Diwali, or Festival of Lights.

Special Diwali greetings from Jennifer to the families of Mr and Mrs Nakrani, Mr Panchal, Mr Patel, Mrs Joshi, and my professor, Dr B. Kumaravadivelu, SJSU MATESOL.

Citizenship Birthday Party and Mini-Reunion

Citizenship Birthday Party and Mini-Reunion

The Milpitas Adult Education Citizenship class meets on T/Th evenings. The night before my birthday, the students hosted a pizza party, and some of the new citizens brought a cake.
I really appreciated the effort of the students because it was raining cats and dogs and the power was out in many neighborhoods.

Thank you, Citizenship Class and New Citizens!

I LOVE YOU!

President Obama's Hispanic Heritage message on Monday Night Football

White House: Hispanic Heritage message on Monday Night Football

The President taped this message for the Monday Night Football game on October 12, 2009 in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month. (public domain)

'Amreeka' Tells of Strangers in a Strange Land

VOAVideo: 'Amreeka' Tells of Strangers in a Strange Land

What is it like for a mother and her teenage son to settle in America? And what if they are Palestinian and their arrival coincides with the onset of the 1991 Gulf War in which a U.S.-led coalition fought Iraq? A new film, Amreeka, recently opened in U.S. theaters, and it answers these and other questions about life in America for those from a very different part of the world. Saqib ul-Islam (of VOA's Urdu Service) spoke with the writer and director of the film, Cherien Dabis, to learn more about Amreeka and the woman who made it. Read more...

US Celebrates Columbus Day

VOANews: US Celebrates Columbus Day
Federal holiday marks anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival to Americas

VOANews: American History Series: Columbus Sails, Others Follow, and Spain Is on Top of the World
By the 15th century, European countries were ready to explore new parts of the world. Technological improvements helped them succeed. Transcript of radio broadcast: 10 October 2007

• MP3 - Download Audio
• Listen to MP3
• Listen in RealAudio

ESL Holiday Discussions: Columbus Day

• Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

EL Civics: Columbus Day

• Crossword Puzzle Answer Key
• Interactive Columbus Day Crossword
• Blank Map of Spain
• Columbus Day Tracing Worksheet
• Blank Map of the World

Helping the Poor Just South of the US Border

VOAVideo: Helping the Poor Just South of the US Border

A river -- and an international border - separate the city of Juarez in Mexico and El Paso in the United States. Even though they are in many respects worlds apart - Juarez is poor and crime-ridden and El Paso is prosperous and relatively safe - the two cities are bound by powerful ties. One of them is the family of Jesus and Maria Ruiz and the charity they have started. Roger Hsu from VOA's Mandarin Service filed the story and it is narrated by Ruth Reader.

• Read the print version

Donate to Jesus and Maria Ruiz's charity: "Jesus es Mana" (in English & Spanish)

American Samoa: Recovery Underway

VOAVideo: American Samoa: Recovery Underway

Recovery efforts are underway in American Samoa, which was struck last week by a major earthquake and tsunami, along with the nearby nations of Samoa and Tonga. 177 people are confirmed dead in the three island groups. Mike O'Sullivan reports from American Samoa that life is returning to normal for many survivors, but they face a massive cleanup.

USPS American Samoa flag stamp

The flag is blue with a red-edged white triangle.

Inside the white triangle is an American bald eagle

clutching traditional Samoan symbols: a war club and a staff.

Snapshot art depicts palm trees and mountains.

News English Lessons: More Earthquakes After Samoa Tsunami (October 2, 2009)

VOANews: Special Report about the Natural Disasters in the Pacific (many stories)
Undersea earthquakes recently have been strong in the South Pacific, rocking the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the islands of Samoa, and elsewhere. A tsunami developed on 29 September, hitting both Samoa and American Samoa, causing death and extensive damage. Hundreds of casualties are also reported in Indonesia from the earthquakes. Additionally, the Philippines has been struck by Typhoon Parma. VOA is covering the events, including rescue, relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.

RED CROSS: DONATE TO THE VICTIMS OF THE TSUNAMIS

President Obama On Winning the Nobel Peace Prize

WhiteHouse.gov: President Obama On Winning the Nobel Peace Prize

VOA Special Report: The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

VOA Special Report: The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

Many VOA stories about the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama.

Kudos to VOANews for gathering and disseminating differing responses from domestic and international sources!

VOANews Special English: Obama, Faced With Two Wars, Wins Peace Prize

VOANews Special English: Obama, Faced With Two Wars, Wins Peace Prize

The Nobel committee in Oslo, Norway, honored the first-year president for ''extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.''

• MP3 (Tip: Left-click, or right-click and choose "Save...") Download (MP3)
• MP3 Stream (MP3)
• Print Version

**VOANews Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. They use active voice. They do not use idioms. VOANews Special English can help ESL and Citizenship students learn more about the English language and American culture

President Barack Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

VOAVideo: President Barack Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Less than a year after taking office, U.S. President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the president for his work to strengthen international diplomacy -- citing in particular his effort to free the world of nuclear weapons. The award has drawn a mixture of praise and surprise. And President Obama himself says he was surprised and humbled by the news but views the award as a call to action. More from VOA's Rob Raffaele.

VOANews: Obama 'Humbled' by Winning Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland says Mr. Obama has captured world's attention, given its people hope for a better future.

VOANews: Worldwide Surprise Greets Obama Peace Prize Announcement
Choice of President Barack Obama came as shock in Oslo, Norway where announcement was made

VOANews: Africans Celebrate Obama Peace Prize
Zimbabwe PM says Mr. Obama deserved honor, offers congratulations; Kenyan president congratulates US president on behalf of all Kenyans

VOANews: Arab Reaction Overwhelmingly Positive to Obama Nobel Prize
Former Arab League Secretary-General Esmet Abdel Meguid says Mr. Obama's award appears to be positive development for peace in Middle East

VOANews: To Many Palestinians, Obama Nobel Peace Prize Unjustified
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas congratulates President Obama, but sentiments not shared by many on streets of Arab East Jerusalem Friday

VOANews: Afghanistan, Pakistan Congratulate Obama on Nobel Peace Prize
The governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan separately congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama Friday for winning the prestigious 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

VOANews: Muted, Mixed Reaction in Asia to Obama Nobel Peace Prize
The surprise announcement that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize brought muted and mixed reaction in Asia.

VOANews Special English: Obama, Faced With Two Wars, Wins Peace Prize
The Nobel committee in Oslo, Norway, honored the first-year president for ''extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.''

VOA Special Report: The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize (added 10/09/09 7pm)

Many VOA stories about the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama.

Kudos to VOANews for gathering and disseminating differing responses from domestic and international sources!

Vietnamese Americans Have Political Impact

VOANews: Vietnamese Americans Have Political Impact

Vietnamese Americans are becoming more prominent in political and public service careers.




Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-La., with his daughters Betsy and Sophia.

All Citizenship Applicants to take the New Test Beginning Oct. 1

Beginning Oct. 1, 2009,

all citizenship applicants

must take the new naturalization test,

regardless of when they filed

their Application for Naturalization

(Form N-400).

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /uscis.gov/ -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is reminding the public that beginning Oct. 1, all citizenship applicants must take the new naturalization test, regardless of when they filed their Application for Naturalization (Form N-400).

USCIS began administering the new naturalization test Oct. 1, 2008, with two basic objectives - to ensure a uniform test administration nationwide and to develop a civics test that can effectively assess an applicant's knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Up until Oct. 1, 2009, applicants who had filed for naturalization before Oct. 1, 2008 had a choice of taking the old test or the new test. Currently, the overall pass rate for the new test is 91 percent.

To learn more about U.S. citizenship and the naturalization test, logon to www.uscis.gov/citizenship. For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit http://www.uscis.gov/.

Poll: US Most Admired Country Globally

WE ARE ONE NATION
Dominica issued a beautiful set of stamps
to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama

VOANews: Poll: US Most Admired Country Globally

A new survey shows the United States is the most admired country, thanks mostly to the admiration that people around the world have for President Barack Obama.

Supreme Court Begins New Term Monday

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor (L)

walks down the steps with Chief Justice John Roberts (R)

after an investiture ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC.

Sotomayor is the 111th justice who serve at the Supreme Court

VOANews: Supreme Court Begins New Term Monday

The U.S. Supreme Court opens its annual term Monday with a new justice and a new slate of potentially significant cases.

• Malone report Download (MP3)
• Malone report Listen (MP3)
• Print Version

Historian Portrays a Green Theodore Roosevelt

VOANews: Historian Portrays a Green Theodore Roosevelt

In an age when "green," as in environmentally friendly, is all the rage, a prominent US historian has written a book about the man who, he says, provided the foundation for much of the conservation movement. In his new book, "Wilderness Warrior," Douglas Brinkley portrays President Theodore Roosevelt as a crusader for protecting America's wilderness, in the form of national parks, forests and grasslands. VOA's Greg Flakus spoke with Douglas Brinkley at Rice University in Houston, where he teaches, and filed this report.

National Parks: An Idea That Began in the US

VOANews: National Parks: An Idea That Began in the US
The National Park Service supervises almost 400 protected areas of natural or historical importance.

• MP3(Tip: Left-click, or right-click and choose "Save...") Download (MP3)
• MP3Stream (MP3)
• Print Version

PBS: Ken Burns' The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Aa six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska.

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background – rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

• PBS PREVIEWS: NATIONAL PARKS Montage
• PBS PREVIEWS: NATIONAL PARKS Extended Preview
• Watch more previews of episodes at PBS YouTube Channel: National Parks
  

A Widow's Mural for Health Care

USNico: A Widow's Mural for Health Care
A mini-documentary about artist Regina Holliday, and her very symbolic and both public and personal view of the health care system in the United States.

Regina Holliday's Medical Advocacy Blog
Details about the creation of the Mural and people's responses to the Mural.

VOA America: Painting for Healthcare
Nico Colombant's story about the Mural.

VOA Blog: In Their Own Words with Nico Colombant
More stories and videos from ordinary Americans interviewed by Nico Colombant

DC9T Flickr Set: 73 Cents Mural Washington DC
"Regina told us her story in person, accompanied by the notebook of her husband?s medical record, which she was only allowed to get on paper, at $0.73 a page."

Father's Hero

San Jose Mercury News: Father's Hero

Rudy Contreras considers his son, California National Guard, PFC Rudy Contreras, Jr., a hero as he grets him coming home from iraq at the Nation Guard Armory in San Jose.