Academic Catalogs

ELL C038N: English Language Learning for Citizenship 2

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 04/26/2024
Top Code 493087 - English as a Second Language - Integrated
Units 0 Total Units 
Hours 36-72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 36-72)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Noncredit (N)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Basic Skills (B)
Repeatable Yes; Repeat Limit 99
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy P/NP/SP Non-Credit (D)

Course Description

Formerly: ESL C038N. This intermediate-level noncredit course is the second in a series of two courses for non-native English speakers to prepare for the USCIS naturalization process with emphasis on developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills necessary for successful completion of the USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test. Students will gain basic knowledge of U.S. geography, government, and history, and prepare for the citizenship interview. ADVISORY: Students who have completed ESL C023N or ELL C023N with a Pass are encouraged to enroll in this course or students who have completed ESL C028N or ELL C028N with a Pass are encouraged to enroll in this course or new students are advised to complete the ESL placement process to determine their initial placement. (NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE). Not Transferable.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Given a listening prompt, respond correctly and appropriately to questions about an N400 application in English.
  2. Given a listening prompt, respond verbally or in writing to questions about U.S. geography, government, and history.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Provide grammatically correct and appropriate responses to questions about the N400 information.
  • 2. Provide grammatically correct and appropriate responses to questions related to U.S. geography, government, and history as they appear on the 100 civics questions test.
  • 3. Listen to a dictation of English sentences about U.S. geography, government, and history and write the sentences verbatim.
  • 4. Read sentences about US geography, history, and government aloud with accurate pronunciation.

Lecture Content

Civics Test Preparation Colonial America The 1800s and the Civil War 20th Century Wars and Civil Rights American Democracy System of Government U.S. Geography Symbols and Holidays Speaking Test Preparation Interview Grammar Interview Greeting Talking about the N-400 Speaking Strategies Reading and Writing Test Prep Pronunciation for Reading Aloud Writing Answers to Civics Questions 100 U.S. History and Civics Questions

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Enhanced NC Lect (NC1)
  • Live Online Enhanced NC Lect (NC9)

Instructional Techniques

Instructors are generally expected to use lecture, class discussions, small group discussions, and pair work. Instructors are also generally expected to use activities such as student skits, student presentations, pronunciation coaching, reading and writing assignments, vocabulary development activities, and interactive multimedia demonstrations and exercises.

Reading Assignments

Students will read short passages in the text to prepare for class discussions and exercises.

Writing Assignments

As part of the midterm and final exams, students will write answers to questions presented orally. They will be required to write complete, grammatically-correct sentences.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will look up class-related topics on the internet, accessing the Coastline Library, as needed, and report information to the class. Students will complete online exercises that are assignments.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will read simple statements about U.S. geography, government, and history. They must judge whether each statement is correct or incorrect. If a statement is judged incorrect, the student must revise the statement so that it is correct. Students will read sample interviews of a citizenship candidate with a USCIS officer. Students must judge whether or not parts of the candidate's speech are appropriate and grammatically correct. If a part of the candidate's speech is judged to be inappropriate or grammatically incorrect, the student must revise the problematic speech so that is both appropriate and grammatically correct. Students will listen to a citizenship candidate's responses to a USCIS officer's interview questions. Students must evaluate the speaking ability of the citizenship candidate's responses and describe the candidate's speaking difficulties.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will read short passages and respond to questions about the passages with complete, grammatically correct sentences. Students will listen to short passages and respond to questions about the passages with complete, grammatically correct sentences. Short passages may contain speech which is intentionally difficult to hear in order to prompt students to produce responses which demonstrate communication strategies.

Eligible Disciplines

ESL: Master's degree in TESL, TESOL, applied linguistics with a TESL emphasis, linguistics with a TESL emphasis, English with a TESL emphasis, or education with a TESL emphasis OR bachelor's degree in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics with a TESL certificate, applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, or any foreign language with a TESL certificate AND master's degree in linguistics, applied linguistics, English, composition, bilingual/bicultural studies, reading, speech, or any foreign language OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Bliss, B . Voices of Freedom, 5th ed. Pearson, 2022 Rationale: This textbook has received an update to its treatment of N-400 so that it remains current.

Other Resources

1. Coastline Library 2. Instructor-developed handouts