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"It was a really big deal to become an American citizen. You have to work really hard, and it is such an honor to be able to say that."
Camila Alves is a US-Brazilian model. She became a US citizen in 2015.
Good luck on your journey to US citizenship!
How to learn with these resources:
This Learning Kit focuses on preparing for Citizenship in the USA. There are four parts to your test/interview: speaking, civics, writing and reading. Here are some tools to help you.
Let's start by watching this video of the whole process. This will help you understand what you have to study, and why.
Click here to watch: How to become an American Citizen
Now let's look at each section more deeply:
Speaking
You will need to be able to answer questions and talk about the information on your N-400 form. This kit contains practice questions and videos to help with vocabulary.
Civics
There are 100 questions about US history, government and geography that you will need to know. You will be asked 10 questions and you need to get 6 correct. This kit has many ways to help you practice.
Writing
The officer will read a sentence to you and you will have to write it down. It's like a dictation. This kit contains audio for you to listen to and practice writing.
Reading
You will need to read one sentence and it will be in a question form. This kit has recording for you to listen and repeat.
Remember to report your independent work to your teacher!
Speaking
Speaking
Speaking: You will need to answer questions about your N400 form. Make sure you know all of the information about yourself that is included in this form. The officer who is giving you the test can ask you anything from that form. Take your time giving the answers, and don’t be nervous. If you don’t understand something, ask them to please repeat the question.
Practice these interview questions by yourself and then with a friend. Practice each set until you feel confident, then move on to the next.
Set 1:
What is your full name?
What is your first name? (how do you spell it?)
What is your last name? (how do you spell it?)
Do you have a middle name?
What is your date of birth?
What is your country of birth?
Where do you live? (your address)
Do you have any children? How many sons and daughters do you have?
Set 2:
Do you have a job? Are you currently employed?
Where do you work? (name and address of employer)
What do you do at work?
What is your phone number?
Do you have an email address?
Set 3:
Why are you here today?
How long have you been a permanent resident? (had a green card)
Have you ever left the U.S. for more than 6 months?
What is your marital status? (single, married, divorced, widowed?)
How many times have you been married?
When did you get married?
Set 4:
Have you ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen?
Have you ever committed a crime?
Have you ever had problems with alcohol?
Have you ever had problems with gambling?
There are a lot of very difficult vocabulary words in the N400. Here are 4 videos to help you learn the vocabulary on the N400.
Civics
Civics
Study Tips
Study Tips
There is a lot to learn in the civics section! We recommend you study questions in small groups. Choose 5 questions, and practice those until you feel confident. Then add 3 more. Make sure you don't forget the first 5 questions you studied! Each time you add new questions, continue to mix in the older ones.
If you need flashcards or a book to study from, talk to your advisor!
After each study session, take time to remember what you learned! You can use the Total Recall strategy: without looking at anything, write everything you remember on a blank piece of paper. Then go back and check your work. Quizzing yourself in this way is very helpful for learning!
Thanks to Sarah Lynn for sharing her "Total Recall" strategy with us!
Civics: You will need to learn the answers to 100 questions about the government, history and geography of the United States (use the 2008 version.)
Here are some ways to learn:
Watch this video about the history of of the United States:
What did you already know? What was new for you?
What surprised you about the video?
Think critically: What do you think is missing from this history? How is it similar or different from the history of your country?
Read the 100 questions and answers. You don't need to study the questions in order! Choose 5 questions to learn first. (Start with the easy ones!) Then, pick new questions to study.
Try to understand what the question is talking about. You might need to do a little research about the history or government of the US! You can research in English or your native language.
You can also check out these short videos, one for each question on the Civics test:
This resource was created through a partnership between the Smithsonian Institute and US Citizenship & Immigration Services.
Watch a video of the 100 questions in random order (all mixed up!)
Now that you have read, listened to and watched the 100 questions, quiz yourself:
Writing
Writing
Writing: You will need to write one sentence that the officer will read to you. We have 6 sets of 6 sentences. Listen, write, check your answers. Practice each set until you feel confident and then move on to the next set.
Click on the number to listen to each set of dictations. Then click on the arrow to check your answers.
Answers:
The United States has 50 states.
Washington, D.C. is the capital.
The flag is red, white, and blue.
Flag Day is in June.
New York City was the first capital.
California has the most people.
Answers:
Canada is north of the United States.
Alaska is the largest state.
Mexico is south of the United States.
People come here to be free.
They want to live in a free country.
Columbus Day is in October.
Answers:
American Indians lived here first.
Thanksgiving is in November.
Delaware was the first state.
Washington is the father of our country.
Washington was the first president.
Washington is on the dollar bill.
Answers:
Adams was the second president.
Independence Day is in July.
Lincoln was the president during the Civil War.
Presidents’ Day is in February.
Memorial Day is in May.
Freedom of speech is a right.
Answers:
The people elect Congress.
We have 100 senators.
Congress meets in Washington, D.C.
We vote for president in November.
The president lives in the White House.
The White House is in Washington, D.C.
Answers:
Labor Day is in September.
Congress makes laws.
Citizens can vote.
They want to vote.
We pay taxes.
You’ve got this!
Reading
Reading
Reading: You will need to read one sentence aloud and it will be in question form. You don’t need to know the answer to the question. Practice reading these questions aloud. Practice with someone who understands English. You do not need to be perfect. The officer who is administering your test will give you three chances.
Once again, 6 sets of 6! Listen and repeat. Then practice with a friend!
How many states are in the United States?
What is the capital of the United States?
What are the colors of the flag?
When is flag day?
What was the first U.S. capital?
What state has the most people?
What country is north of the United States?
What is the largest state?
What country is south of the United States?
Why do people come to America?
Why do people want to be citizens?
When is Columbus Day?
Who lived here first?
When is Thanksgiving?
What was the first U.S. state?
Who is the father of our country?
Who was the first president?
What president is on the dollar bill?
Who was the second president?
When is Independence Day?
Who was Abraham Lincoln?
When is Presidents’ Day?
When is Memorial Day?
Name one right in the Bill of Rights.
Who elects Congress?
How many senators do we have?
Where does Congress meet?
When do we vote for president?
Where does the president l
Who lives in the White House?
When is Labor Day?
What does Congress do?
Who makes the laws for our country?
Who can vote?
What do we pay the government?
More Citizenship Learning Opportunities
More Citizenship Learning Opportunities
If you want to study more, here are some more resources. We especially recommend USALearns!
USALearns has a free online class to prepare for US citizenship that will give you more opportunities to practice what you have learned so far.
Click the red "Start Now" button on the top right on their homepage.
Citizenship Study Guide has a lot of practice materials.
Reflection
Reflection
Photo by Kwang Mathurosemontri on Unsplash.
You have dedicated significant time and energy to your learning throughout this Learning Kit! Congratulations!
Now is a good time to reflect and notice how much you have learned. Please complete this final reflection form. A copy will be sent to you and your teacher automatically.
Good luck with your citizenship process!
Good luck with your citizenship process!
Remember, as soon as you take your oath, you should apply for a US passport and register to vote! Talk to your advisor if you need help.
Remember, as soon as you take your oath, you should apply for a US passport and register to vote! Talk to your advisor if you need help.
Help us improve! Please tell us your comments, ideas, and any problems you had with this Independent Learning Kit here.
This Learning Kit was designed and compiled by Laura Dintino, with revisions by Pesha Black.
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