Road to Citizenship Workbook & Computer Training for US Citizenship - A Book Review
People preparing for the citizenship application, process, and interview have many choices when looking for appropriate materials to help them. Most applicants have different needs and are often at different levels of English proficiency and/or literacy. Elizabeth R. Blackmer and Fred W. Clough's Road to Citizenship: Workbook & Computer Training for United States Citizenship offers detailed and extensive material for advanced ESOL students, native English speakers, and those who are familiar with and comfortable using computer software.
Road to Citizenship includes a workbook and CD, both divided into nine parts. These parts, or chapters, offer information to guide an applicant through this process beginning with qualification requirements and ending with the benefits of becoming a citizen. Each part in the workbook is divided into chapters often including readings, sample quizzes, terms and definitions, as well as names and addresses of INS/BCIS national, regional, and local service centers. Information about government leaders and each state (Capitol, Governor, U.S. Senators) is also included.
The CD is divided similarly but offers more details and opportunities for further study. In each part key words are highlighted and underlined so that a definition for that term can be shown. There is also a word practice section that offers definitions for more difficult terminology found in the N400 application. Each part can be read and listened to at the same time. Because of the detailed study offered with the CD, more practice can be done with it. Sample tests are included in both the workbook and the CD, but the test is not repeated in the same way each time on the CD. This gives students or applicants an opportunity to practice a variety of questions in preparation for the interview. Part five: Practicing English offers practice in all four-skill areas. In addition, the CD allows for actual listening and pronunciation practice.
For the student who is an advanced level learner and for someone who is familiar and comfortable exploring the options that the CD provides, this workbook and software are extremely useful and interesting materials. They help to prepare the serious applicant for the entire citizenship process. In fact, they offer components above and beyond the minimum information required.
Road to Citizenship is not however for the intermediate ESOL level student, someone with literacy challenges, or anyone who is not comfortable or familiar with computer software. This program could, in some cases, be used with such applicants, but not without assistance and guidance.
For the appropriate learner, this program helps the applicant and/or student through all the steps necessary in attaining citizenship. It offers a useful overview of the entire process, information and practice opportunities, as well as guidance when proceeding down the Road to Citizenship.
About The Author
"Road to Citizenship Workbook & Computer Training for United States Citizenship" co-authored by Elizabeth R. Blackmer and Fred W. Clough was reviewed by Susan Schwartzkopf, Citizenship Coordinator, Center for New Americans, Inc. Greenfield, MA. To learn more about "Road to Citizenship Workbook & Computer Training for United States Citizenship", including customer testimonials and where to purchase, visit www.roadtocitizenship.com
The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of ILW.COM.
Copyright © 1999-2002 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM
|
Add to del.icio.us