Citizenship: Passing the Test

Rating:
Summary: Easy to read and right to the point.
Review: I have been in the field of ESL for almost 20 years now. Although I have never taught a citizenship class, civic education has been an integral part of all my ESL courses in the U.S. It had been always a problem for me to find the "right" texts for my beginning level students until this book came along. The contextual connection this book makes between illustrations and key concepts/terms of the U.S. history and government has broken new ground for civic education in the ESL setting, particularly for beginners.

The reflection I have of my own classes and my observation of others' has convinced me that sometimes our classes, for whatever reason, become occasions exhibiting what we know about a subject rather than an opportunity for students to learn what they need about a subject. This book, simple as it may look to civic scholars, not only reminds me of what my students need, but also helps me show what some abstract concepts are such as religion, freedom, government, etc. Less well-educated new immigrants are no Political Science majors. This book, along with its cassettes and self-study materials, offers what they need to pass the citizenship test. In fact, I sometimes wonder whether the author is a recent immigrant herself. How else could she have known so precisely what new immigrants would need in their civic education?!

To the ESL teachers interested in using civic education materials in their classes, I would say, Give this book a try. To recent immigrants struggling with English language and basic knowlege of the U.S. government, I would also say, Give this book a try. It may not help you chitchat with a sales clerk in the mall, but will certainly help you impress the INS interviewing officials.

See you at your swear-in ceremony!

Rating:
Summary: Do not get this book! It's unnecessary!
Review: I just took my citizenship test today; this book was not helpful at all!

Instead, go to the INS site and download the 100 questions which are listed as sample questions.

These are the same questions you'll be asked. Your interviewer will ask you 10 questions from that list. So, just prepare for those 100 questions and you'll do fine.

Good luck!

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Obviously written by a real professional in the field. This one cuts to the quick, no bones about it. Get this for your students.