wh.gov: The White House Transforms into a Season of Peace and Light for the 2024 Holidays
VOA News: New musical project tells 1800s story of US transcontinental railroad
Listen to "American Railroad" by Silkwood Ensemble and Rhiannon Giddens. Also check out the American Railroad Podcast!
Lean more about the Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad was built across the United States, starting after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862 during the Civil War.
Much of the railroad was built on land taken from Native American tribes. The Central Pacific Railroad built east from Sacramento, California, while the Union Pacific Railroad built west from Omaha, Nebraska. The two railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869. Workers from China and Ireland, played a big role in its construction.
The railroad reduced travel across the U.S. from months to weeks or days. At the time, it was one of the longest railroads in the world, and more railroads were built later.
POP QUIZ:
Classroom:
After a long hiatus, we are back with regular podcasts that feature questions from the new USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization. In honor of the Bill of Rights Day, December 15, we are pairing the first ten amendments with some questions from the new N-400 Part 9 and some Civics questions. pdf
Before we begin, there are three news items:
1)
On September 20, USCIS released their new “One
Nation, One People: Civics Test Textbook” for adults preparing
to naturalize. In support of their
commitment 2gen civic literacy, USCIS also released “Color
Me Civics: U.S. Landmarks and Symbols Coloring Book” in English
and Spanish. You can download these free
resources from USCIS.
·
Pearson ELT USA Team just release a free pdf of
the UPDATED
Naturalization Speaking Test from Voices of Freedom by Bill Bliss.
Download
the test practice.
·
New Readers Press has just posted a new
“Tricky Vocabulary” handout (for explaining vocabulary in the new
N-400 part 9): . This resource complements Citizenship:
Passing the Test Ready for the Interview Student Book 4th Edition by
Lynn Weintraub
3) On December 13, LINCS.ed.gov The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar with Shawn Chakrabarti, a former Education Specialist with the office of Citizenship, USCIS. Mr. Chakrabarti explained the USCIS naturalization fee structure, highlighting that 9.2 million people are eligible for citizenship, with 4 million likely having limited English proficiency. He detailed the new fee waiver and reduction rules, noting that 80% of LPRs may qualify for fee reductions. Mr. Chakrabarti emphasized the importance of detailed student intakes, partnering with legal service providers, and leveraging digital literacy to navigate the new fee rules. He also encouraged commenting on Federal Register notices to influence future policies. Although this webinar was not recorded, detailed notes and resources are available on LINCS.ed.gov Civics Education and Citizenship Group under the “FOLLOW UP: 12/13 The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar.”
4)
Finally, a petition titled, Call to Codify
Improvements to U.S. Naturalization Test, hosted on the TESOL Advocacy
Action Center. The petition asks USCIS
to codify two items in the Federal Register:
·
Intermediate low level of English is the fair
and appropriate level for the civics and speaking test.
·
The speaking test which is based on eligibility
interview with an USCIS officer should be limited to basic questions. For
complex questions, applicants may use interpreters.
With just one click, you can virtually sign the petition, which is immediately sent to your US representative and both senators. Please sign this petition immediately to protect the fairness of the Naturalization interview.
National Archives: 2024 Bill of Rights Day Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives
VOA News: Biden memorializes painful past of Native Americans
