Friday, August 31, 2018

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.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

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 
Civics


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.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

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

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

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



geobeats: 10 Mind-Blowing Geographical Facts About The US

N-400
Civics
Integration
  • Beginning Citizenship Class 1 Quiz (in development)

Intermediate U.S. Geography Lesson
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.








Check back for updates!

Monday, August 27, 2018

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)

Saturday, August 25, 2018

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.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

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



N-400
Civics
Integration
  • Beginning Citizenship Class 1 Quiz (in development)

Homework

Intermediate Level American Symbols and Celebrations Lesson
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.


Integration






Check Back for updates!

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

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?

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Monday, August 20, 2018

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.

Saturday, August 18, 2018

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)

Friday, August 17, 2018

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

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

Monday, August 13, 2018

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.

Friday, August 10, 2018

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

Thursday, August 9, 2018

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!)

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

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

Monday, August 6, 2018

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.

Sunday, August 5, 2018

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.

Saturday, August 4, 2018

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.

Friday, August 3, 2018

'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)

Thursday, August 2, 2018

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.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

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

Find an Adult Education School in California

Find a federally funded Adult Education Program in the United States

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