US Citizenship Podcast

January 15, 2026

n-400-2024-16.pdf

December 24, 2024

Winter Holidays Citizenship Quiz

<p>Celebrate the Winter Holidays with 15 Civics Questions.  I ask, you answer.</p> <p>Download a PDF of this quiz, click <a href= "https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/winter-holidays.pdf">https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/winter-holidays.pdf</a></p> <p>For more Citizenship Resources for the Winter Holidays, visit <a href= "https://www.uscitizenpod.com/p/us-citizenship-resources-for-winter.html">https://www.uscitizenpod.com/p/us-citizenship-resources-for-winter.html</a>.</p> <p>For more info on Inauguration Day, including the Oath of Office, visit <a href= "https://www.usa.gov/inauguration">https://www.usa.gov/inauguration</a></p> <p>Even during the holidays, study a little bit every day.  I know that you will be a GREAT American citizen!</p> <p>All rights reserved.  Do not remix!</p>

December 17, 2024

A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions

<p class="MsoBodyText">After a long hiatus, we are back with regular podcasts that feature questions from the new USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization.<span style= "mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> 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.  Here is a pdf of the <a href= "https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/uscitizenpod/2024-bill-of-rights-interview-mini.pdf"> <strong>A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions</strong></a>.  </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Image: Bill of Rights depicted in cartoon format from 1971 Young Citizen teacher’s guide transparency. Courtesy: Syracuse University. <a href= "https://govbooktalk.gpo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/cartoon-bill-of-rights-1971-young-citizen-teachers-guide.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE and for teacher printable version.</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Before we begin, there are four news items:</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">1)     On September 20, USCIS released their new “<a href= "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/brochures/OOC_M-1175_CivicsTextbook_8.5x11_V7_RGB_English_508.pdf"><strong>One Nation, One People: Civics Test Textbook</strong></a><strong>”</strong> for adults preparing to naturalize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> In support of their commitment 2gen civic literacy, USCIS also released <strong>“</strong><a href= "https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/naturalization-test-and-study-resources/the-families-learning-civics-together-toolkit/color-me-civics-us-landmarks-and-symbols-coloring-book"><strong>Color Me Civics: U.S. Landmarks and Symbols Coloring Book</strong></a><strong>”</strong> in English and Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> You can download these free resources from USCIS.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">2) Two new N-400 (2024) Part 9 resources:</p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">       </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->Pearson ELT USA Team just release a free pdf of the <a href= "https://click.ocrm3.pearson.com/?qs=8fad3ab76229a218b7eaf63fceb6e700b7b3b0ec7e7d70b7ee5a245bb390ac8701ce2b151e47bd507b21581c88c71890d3fe11d0b735cf3c"><strong>UPDATED Naturalization Speaking Test from Voices of Freedom</strong></a> by Bill Bliss.  <a href= "https://click.ocrm3.pearson.com/?qs=8fad3ab76229a218b7eaf63fceb6e700b7b3b0ec7e7d70b7ee5a245bb390ac8701ce2b151e47bd507b21581c88c71890d3fe11d0b735cf3c">Download the test practice</a>. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">       </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->New Readers Press has just posted a <a href= "https://www.newreaderspress.com/site/Additional%20Resources/CitizenshipRFTI-VocabularySheet-2024.pdf"><strong>new “Tricky Vocabulary”</strong> <strong>handout</strong> (for explaining vocabulary in the new N-400 part 9)</a>:  .  This resource complements <strong>Citizenship: Passing the Test Ready for the Interview Student Book 4th Edition </strong>by Lynn Weintraub</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">3)     On December 13, LINCS.ed.gov <strong>The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar with Shawn Chakrabarti</strong>, a former Education Specialist with the office of Citizenship, USCIS.<span style= "mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> 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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Although this webinar was not recorded, detailed notes and resources are available on LINCS.ed.gov Civics Education and Citizenship Group under the “<strong><a href= "https://community.lincs.ed.gov/group/152/discussion/follow-1213-2024-naturalization-fee-reduction-webinar">FOLLOW UP: 12/13 The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar</a></strong>.”</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">4)     Finally, a petition titled, <a href= "https://www.tesol.org/advocacy/advocacy-action-center/"><strong>Call to Codify Improvements to U.S. Naturalization Test</strong></a>, hosted on the TESOL Advocacy Action Center.<span style= "mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The petition asks USCIS to codify two items in the Federal Register:</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">·        Intermediate low level of English is the fair and appropriate level for the civics and speaking test.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">·        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.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">With just one click, you can virtually sign the petition, which is immediately sent to your US representative and both senators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <strong>Please sign this petition immediately to protect the fairness of the Naturalization interview.</strong></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Thank you!  I know that you will be a GREAT American Citizen!</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">This podcast is copy righted by Jennifer Gagliardi and US Citizenship Podcast and may not be remixed or re-used.</p>