The Future of Democracy

Share America:  The Future of Democracy

The future of democracy, as well as global peace & prosperity, depends on our collective action to stand up and protect it now. Democracies require diligence, compromise, and constant work. But democracy is how voices are heard and progress is made. It is how we all, no matter where we live, can strive for a “more perfect union.”

Other Language Versions:

• English: https://youtu.be/WOOSixW1L3Q 
• Bangla: https://youtu.be/ulEjh2i7j80
• Chinese: https://youtu.be/F0v06a4Z0GE
• French: https://youtu.be/KdofGtuGXk8
• Portuguese: https://youtu.be/Uvok0yh-m_Q
• Russian: https://youtu.be/t2O-coG02yA
• Spanish: https://youtu.be/zcozj4swVEQ
• Urdu: https://youtu.be/31oiDs0YWu0
• Arabic: https://youtu.be/MTz4z6Z6jMw
• Persian: https://youtu.be/0Mq7QQ61jWM

Voting Rights

 

VOANews: 2020 Election Focuses New Attention on Voting Rights

N-400

• Interview E-1 (N-400 Part 12 focus on voting and paying taxes)

Civics

• American Women who Fought for the Right to Vote pdf

Integration

• Yésica Sánchez: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about Voting and Elections pdf

Happy Birthday President Andrew Johnson!

 VOA Learning English: America's President--Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875) was the 17th President of the United States (1865-1869).  He grew up in a poor family and did not learn how to read or do math until he was an adult. Johnson served as governor of Tennessee and represented his state in both houses of Congress.  Although Johnson was from the opposition party, he went on to serve as Abraham Lincoln's vice-president and succeeded him after Lincoln's assassination. He was the first president to be impeached, but he was not removed from office. The impeachment happened because he fired the Secretary of War after Congress had made it illegal. This was unusual because a president usually appoints his cabinet secretaries. 

Learn more:

• ESL Library: Andrew Johnson (subscription required; teacher discretion advised!)
• VOA Learning English: Andrew Johnson

POP QUIZ:

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

43. Who is the Governor of your state now?

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

Happy Birthday President Woodrow Wilson!

VOA Learning English: America's Presidents - Woodrow Wilson 

Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th president of the United States between 1913 and 1921. He was born in Virginia, grew up in Georgia, and became preside of Princeton University in New Jersey. Although Wilson supported peace, the United States entered World War I in 1917.  After the war, Wilson helped start the League of Nations. In 1919, he won the Nobel Prize for Peace.  In 1920, women gained the right to vote in America.

Learn More

• C-SPAN Classroom: Woodrow Wilson
• ESL Library: Woodrow Wilson (subscription required)
• Smithsonian: Woodrow Wilson (collection)
• VOA Learning English: Woodrow Wilson

POP QUIZ

100:15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

100:26. We elect a President for how many years?

100:64. There were 13 original states. Name three.

100:41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

100:32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

100:78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

100:79. Who was President during World War I?

100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

Kwanzaa

uscitizenpod: Two Citizenship Questions for a Joyous Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration (Dec 25 to Jan 1) held in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture. 

Kwanzaa is a celebration that came out of the black nationalist movement of the 1960s. 

It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage.

Every night, people light a candle on a kinara (candle holder) which represent Kwanzaa's principles: 

Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. (source)

Also checkout

• uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Resources for African-American History Month and Citizenship, Immigration, and Government Resources in African Languages 
• ESL Library: Kwanzaa
• Google Arts and Culture: Sharing the Timeless Principles of Kwanzaa through Stamps and Buttons
• NMAAHC: Kwanzaa
• Share America: American celebrate African Heritage during Kwanzaa
• uscitizenpod: Citizenship Quiz for Kwanzaa mp3 | pdf
• VOA News: African Americans Celebrate Kwanzaa
• 

Boxing Day

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

uscitizenpod: Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas Day in England and its former colonies. December 26 is also the feast day of St. Stephen who collected food and clothing and gave them to the poor.  On Boxing Day, workers would received boxes of food and small gifts from their employers.  Frequently, there were used  clothing or blankets in the boxes.

Recently, Boxing Day has gained popularity in America.  Many families "box up" unused clothes, electronics, and furniture and donate them to charitable organizations such as Goodwill.

Goodwill was started in 1902 by the Reverend Edgar J. Helms of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston. Helms and his congregation collected used household goods and clothing being discarded in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired the unemployed or poor to repair them. The products were then redistributed to those in need.

Today, Goodwill has become an international nonprofit that is funded by thrift stores and provides more than 300,000 people with job training and community services each year.  Goodwill also offers free online job skills and technology courses--learn more at gcflearnfree.org 

In the spirit of Boxing Day, we encourage you to donate your unused goods or volunteer with your local civic or community groups.

Boxing Day Resources

• EnglishClass101: Boxing Day
• ESL Holiday Lessons: Boxing Day
• ESL Library: Boxing Day

Goodwill Industries

• Goodwill
• GFCLearnFree
• GCFLearnFree YouTube Channel
• GCFAprendeLibre YouTube Channel

More organizations in San Jose/Milpitas that accept household goods donations and need volunteers--check your local area for similar organizations!

• American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hope Services
• Humane Society
• Resource Area For Teaching: RAFT
• Sacred Heart Community Service
• Salvation Army
• Savers
• Second Harvest Food Bank
• Santa Clara County Library District

US Citizenship Resources for Christmas

A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas  (2021) mp3 / pdf / video

More Citizenship Resources for Christmas

• George Washington's Mount Vernon: George Washington Remembers Crossing The Delaware (2018)
• Share America: Bidens’ Christmas decorations: ‘Gifts from the heart’ 2021
• US Dept of the Interior: Happy Holidays from Interior! 2021
• US Postal Museum: The Art of Christmas Stamps 2021
• VOA News: Holiday Road in Leesburg, VA, Marks Start of Christmas Season 2021
• VOA News: White House Sparkles With Cheer for Holidays 2021
• White House Yule Log: The Diplomatic Reception Room 2021
• White House Yule Log: The Green Room 2021
• White House Yule Log: The State Dining Room 2021

uscitizenpod

• USCIS 100: 10. What is freedom of religion? (2011) mp3 / pdf
• Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776 (2012) pdf
• A Citizenship Quiz for Christmas  (2021) mp3 / pdf / video
• Two Citizenship Questions for Christmas (2017) video
• O. Henry, author of "Gift of the Magi," Bio, Practice N-400, and Civics Quiz (2017) pdf (fixed!)

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 75

Kulwinder Singh PASSED his interview, but there were some tense moments: the USCIS officer said there was another person with the same name and case details who had been deported!  Mr. Singh kept his cool and answered all of the officer's questions about deportation.  Most interviews go smoothly, but you still need to prepare how to answer awkward questions.  Good job, Mr. Singh!

Here are his practice interviews:

Kulwinder Singh’s 1st Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 2nd Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 3rd Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 4th Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 5th Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh’s 6th Practice Citizenship Interview

Kulwinder Singh Talks about his Citizenship Interview

N-400

• n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution
• n-400r-13    Applicant's Signature
• n-400r-14    Interpreter's Signature
• n-400r-15    Preparer's Signature
• n-400r-16-17 Signature at Interview / Renunciation
• n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of the N-400 Application"

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 74

Yingyu's Practice Citizenship Interview (easiest)

Yanli's Practice Citizenship Interview

Teresa's Practice Citizenship Interview

Annie's Practice Citizenship Interview

Mindy's Practice Citizenship Interview (most difficult)

N-400

• n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution
• n-400r-13    Applicant's Signature
• n-400r-14    Interpreter's Signature
• n-400r-15    Preparer's Signature
• n-400r-16-17 Signature at Interview / Renunciation
• n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of the N-400 Application"

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays
• Unit 4: Your Interview and New Citizenship 

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 73

Kazi passed his interview the next day, July 8, 2019! Watch Kazi's other interviews

Kazi's First Interview (Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 2)

Kazi’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview

Kazi Sabbir Ahmed's Third Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

MST Saleha Khatun’s First Practice Citizenship Interview (Kazi's Mom) MST Saleha Khatun’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview (Kazi's Mom)

N-400

• n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution
• n-400r-13    Applicant's Signature
• n-400r-14    Interpreter's Signature
• n-400r-15    Preparer's Signature
• n-400r-16-17 Signature at Interview / Renunciation
• n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of the N-400 Application"

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 72

Candy Tran's Citizenship interview is next week, so here is her third practice interview with civics questions and reading/writing test. Note her explanation about the difference between the name on her Legal Permanent residence Card (Green Card) and her Legal Name. Check back soon for updated Closed Captions. Watch all of Candy Tran's Citizenship Interviews: Candy Tran's First Practice Citizenship Video--UPDATED! Candy Tran's Second Practice Citizenship Interview Candy Tran’s Third Practice Citizenship Interview Candy Tran nói về cuộc phỏng vấn thi công dân Hoa Kỳ của cô Candy Tran Talks About Her U.S. Citizenship Interview

N-400

• n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution
• n-400r-13    Applicant's Signature
• n-400r-14    Interpreter's Signature
• n-400r-15    Preparer's Signature
• n-400r-16-17 Signature at Interview / Renunciation
• n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of the N-400 Application"

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 71

Elvia Velázquez is back with Teacher Jennifer got a practice U.S. Citizenship plus dictation and Civics Questions. Closed Captions have been updated. Check Elvia's first interview in Spanish with fellow teacher Ana Mendoza:

La Entrevista de Ciudadanía en Español con audio mejorado!

U.S. Citizenship Interview with Elvia Velázquez (2nd interview; cc--updated!)

Both interview were recorded at #tdls sponsored by OTAN.us Learn more about Gonzales Adult School's Citizenship and Distance Learning Programs at https://ae.gonzalesusd.net/

N-400

• n-400r-12k  Attachment to the US Constitution
• n-400r-13    Applicant's Signature
• n-400r-14    Interpreter's Signature
• n-400r-15    Preparer's Signature
• n-400r-16-17 Signature at Interview / Renunciation
• n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of the N-400 Application"

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

DRIVE THROUGH Oath Ceremony 2021 in San Bernadino

 

 

Carlo and Seb: DRIVE THROUGH Oath Ceremony 2021 | US Citizenship | What you need to know | Carlo and Seb 

DRIVE THROUGH Oath Ceremony 2021. Becoming US Citizen. In this video, we will show you What you needed to know about the Drive Through oath taking ceremony.

First Lady Jill Biden on the White House Decorations

 

wh.gov: First Lady Jill Biden on the White House Decorations

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 70

 

uscitizenpod: Min's D-5 Level Interview

• Series D: 25 Questions

  • Interview D1
  • Interview D2
  • Interview D3
  • Interview D4
  • Interview D5

N-400

• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• n-400r-12j   Military Service
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 69

 

uscitizenpod: Nhu Tran's D-4 Level Interview

• Series D: 25 Questions

  • Interview D1
  • Interview D2
  • Interview D3
  • Interview D4
  • Interview D5

N-400

• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• n-400r-12j   Military Service
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 68

 

uscitizenpod: Derek's D-3 Level Interview

• Series D: 25 Questions

  • Interview D1
  • Interview D2
  • Interview D3
  • Interview D4
  • Interview D5

N-400

• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• n-400r-12j   Military Service
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 67

 

uscitizenpod: Thuy's D-2 Level Interview

• Series D: 25 Questions

  • Interview D1
  • Interview D2
  • Interview D3
  • Interview D4
  • Interview D5

N-400

• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• n-400r-12j   Military Service
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 66

 

uscitizenpod: Kazi's D Level Interview

• Series D: 25 Questions

  • Interview D1
  • Interview D2
  • Interview D3
  • Interview D4
  • Interview D5

N-400

• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• n-400r-12j   Military Service
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.10 Loyalty and the Oath
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.16 Symbols and Holidays

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

Naturalization Ceremony in Indiana

 

United States District Court Southern District of Indiana: Naturalization Ceremony - December 2, 2021 at 12 PM

uscitizenpod: n-400r-18    Oath of Allegiance

Place Names in the United States

 

VOANews: How to Pronounce: Word Stress – Place Names in the United States

Imagine you are visiting the United States. Perhaps you see major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas. Perhaps you see places like Mount Rainier, Mount Rushmore, Central Park.

In terms of pronunciation, there is something common to all of these place names. 

No, I’m not talking about vowels and consonants. I’m talking about word stress – saying a word louder or in a higher pitch. 

In previous pronunciation videos, we explored word stress in terms of phrasal nouns, phrasal verbs, even abbreviations. But there are certain ways that Americans pronounce place names too. 

In general, Americans place more stress on the last word of a place name. 

What would happen if the stress were placed on the first word? It might sound something like this:

• New York

Such a pronunciation might sound a little unusual or different to an American. 

But how does the place name sound when stress is placed on the last word?  

• New York

Listen again to some famous American place names. Note how I stress the last word of the name: 

• Los Angeles
• Las Vegas
• Mount Rainier
• Mount Rushmore
• Central Park

That’s all for today! Keep up the good work! 

POP QUIZ:

USCIS 100:44. What is the capital of your state?*

USCIS 100:64. There were 13 original states. Name three.

USCIS 100:91. Name one U.S. territory.

USCIS 100:92. Name one state that borders Canada.

USCIS 100:93. Name one state that borders Mexico.

USCIS 100:95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 65

 

uscitizenpod: U.S. Citizenship Bootcamp: Exemptions and Accommodations

• Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r for Senior Citizens or Those Who Request Accommodations/Exemptions plus the USCIS 100qs for 65/20 Applicants (8 pgs) Script
• Before the Interview: 7 Questions about Exemptions and Accommodations PLUS 65/20 Civics Questions video

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Arabic) (PDF, 135.05 KB)

 أسئلة التربية المدنية للمتمتعين بالإعفاء 20/65 

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Chinese) (PDF, 276.56 KB)

65/20豁免之公民問題

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Korean) (PDF, 240.21 KB)

65/20 면제에 해당되는 공민/역사 시험 문제

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Spanish) (PDF, 171.73 KB)

Educación Cívica: Preguntas para la Exención 65/20

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Tagalog) (PDF, 201.56 KB)

Mga Tanong Pangmamamayan para sa 65/20 Exemption

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Vietnamese) (PDF, 232.9 KB)

Các câu Hỏi của Công Dân về Miễn Trừ 65/20

N-400

• n-400r-12h   Crime
• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.9 Illegal Activities — Criminal Record and Crimes
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.10: Our System of Government — Civics
• 3.15 Rights and Responsibilities — Civics

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post

U.S. Citizenship Lesson 64

 

uscitizenpod: A Practice Citizenship Interview for Mrs. Muthurajan

The Muthurajans visited Milpitas Adult School to record a practice interview for the mother.  Here are three more comments about the interview:

NOTE 1: Most examiners would ask if the applicant has any requested any ACCOMMODATIONS or EXEMPTIONS

NOTE 2: USCIS may ask further questions about financial support.  Many retirees have pensions/savings or are supported by their family. Prepare your answer.

NOTE 3: I forgot to ask a very important question about TAXES.  USCIS asks everyone about taxes.  Many retirees do not pay taxes because they don't have an income.  (However some retirees do have income from investments.  Prepare your correct response!)

• Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r for Senior Citizens or Those Who Request Accommodations/Exemptions plus the USCIS 100qs for 65/20 Applicants (8 pgs) Script
• Before the Interview: 7 Questions about Exemptions and Accommodations PLUS 65/20 Civics Questions video

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Arabic) (PDF, 135.05 KB)

 أسئلة التربية المدنية للمتمتعين بالإعفاء 20/65 

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Chinese) (PDF, 276.56 KB)

65/20豁免之公民問題

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Korean) (PDF, 240.21 KB)

65/20 면제에 해당되는 공민/역사 시험 문제

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Spanish) (PDF, 171.73 KB)

Educación Cívica: Preguntas para la Exención 65/20

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Tagalog) (PDF, 201.56 KB)

Mga Tanong Pangmamamayan para sa 65/20 Exemption

Civics Questions for the 65/20 Special Consideration (Vietnamese) (PDF, 232.9 KB)

Các câu Hỏi của Công Dân về Miễn Trừ 65/20

N-400

• n-400r-12h   Crime
• n-400r-12i   Deportation
• New Readers Press "Tricky Vocabulary in Part 12 of
• the N-400 Application"

Civics:

• Videos
• Preparing the Oath: Government Basics
• Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities
• PDFs
• USCIS: Your Government and You
• USCIS: Rights and Responsibilities

USA Learns 

• N-400 Interview Practice
• 2.9 Illegal Activities — Criminal Record and Crimes
• Civics, Reading, and Writing Practice
• 3.10: Our System of Government — Civics
• 3.15 Rights and Responsibilities — Civics

Learn More:

• U.S. Citizenship Resources for for the Winter Holidays post