Citizenship Teacher Tutorials

These short tutorials will help you understand some of the more complex aspects of teaching citizenship. Please be sure to download or print out the relevant handouts before viewing.

Understanding the USCIS Reading and Writing Tests
When the USCIS citizenship interview and tests were redesigned and implemented, the reading and writing tests changed the most. This tutorial shows what happens during the reading and writing tests at a citizenship interview. It overviews what kinds of sentences applicants will be required to read and write as well as what criteria USCIS Officers use to determine whether the applicant passes or fails.
(13 minutes) Click here

Teaching the USCIS Reading and Writing Tests
Once you understand how the reading and writing tests are conducted at a citizenship interview, consider how best to help students study for these tests. USCIS issued two vocabulary lists containing words and phrases used during the test. This tutorial shows effective techniques for helping your students learn to read, write, and understand those vocabulary words and prepare for their tests.
(15 minutes) Click here

Becoming a Citizenship Educator
Helping students prepare to pass their citizenship interviews is very rewarding work - what could be more inspirational than helping someone obtain the dream of U.S. citizenship? But helping citizenship students also requires hard work, knowledge, and research on the part of the citizenship educator. This tutorial shows potential citizenship educators what they need to learn and how to do that.
(11 minutes) Click here

Helping Your Citizenship Students Study Outside of the Classroom
We all spend a great deal of time in class helping students study for their citizenship interview, but students also need to spend time outside of class preparing - especially when their interview date draws close. This tutorial suggests ways that students can study on their own whether they work by themselves, with a family member, with flashcards, with online practices, or more.
(18 minutes) Click here


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Understanding the USCIS Reading and Writing Tests

Before you watch: Make sure you have these documents on hand:
     Reading Vocabulary for the New Naturalization Test
     Writing Vocabulary for the New Naturalization Test
     Scoring Guidelines for the English Portion of the Naturalization Test

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Teaching the USCIS Reading and Writing Tests

Before you watch: Make sure you have these documents on hand:
     Reading Vocabulary for the New Naturalization Test
     Writing Vocabulary for the New Naturalization Test
     Scoring Guidelines for the English Portion of the Naturalization Test

After you watch: You may find these links or handouts useful:
     Teaching Dictation for the USCIS Reading and Writing Tests

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Becoming a Citizenship Educator

After you watch: You may find these links or handouts useful:
     USCIS Multimedia Presentation: Becoming A U.S. Citizen
     USCIS Multimedia Presentation: Outline Page
     A Guide to Naturalization
     EL/Civics Online: Free Professional Development
     Referring Students to Legal Services
      Illinois New Americans Initiative

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Helping Your Citizenship Students Study Outside of the Classroom

Before you watch: Make sure you have these documents on hand:
     100 Civics (History and Government) Questions
     Reading Vocabulary for the New Naturalization Test
    Writing Vocabulary for the New Naturalization Test

After you watch: You may find these links or handouts useful:
     Free Online Citizenship Practice Flyer
     Interview Essentials
     USCIS Civics Flashcards - to print
     USCIS Civics Flashcards - to buy
     USCIS Civics Questions with MP3 Audio

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Have any questions or need assistance...?
Contact: Karen Hilgeman, khilgeman@cntrmail.org
Note: Illinois educators who wish to get citizenship updates from the ALRC can e-mail Karen to be added to the citizenship e-mail list.