U.S. Civics and Citizenship Online
Teaching Civics to Adult ESL Students
SUPPORTING RESOURCES
Websites that offer resources and links for teachers, tutors, and others who provide English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy (EL)/Civics instruction are highlighted in this section. They are hosted by adult education and literacy organizations, government agencies, and organizations providing information and services for populations that are learning ESL. Links to other websites, publications, instructional materials, training and technical assistance, research, legislation, and professional development resources are included.
Adult Education Interest Section (AEIS), Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Targets adults learning English, as well as ESL instructors and administrators. Brings together adult education and ESL knowledge, principles, and skills. Has five major purposes: increase awareness of the needs and roles of adult education; address priority areas through workshops, demonstrations, open forums, and discussion sessions; advocate on behalf of the organization's members; cooperate with members to address the needs of ESL students and their families; and expand visibility of ESL and adult education through research and communication. To access this information, you will need to login to the TESOL website.
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?TRACKID=&CID=260&DID=527
Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA)
Center for Applied Linguistics
Assists states with emerging populations who are learning ESL. Works with states to promote English language learning and academic achievement of adults learning English. Produces materials for teachers, program administrators, researchers, policymakers, and the general public. Disseminates curricula, program standards, reports, and other research-based information and resources to states regarding effective English language instruction for adults.
http://www.cal.org/caela/
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
Provides research, professional development, curriculum materials, technical assistance, program evaluation, and publications for English language teachers. Resources available for adult civics, EL literacy, bilingual education, refugee issues, immigrant education, and language assessment. CAL also runs the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA).
http://www.cal.org/
Civic Participation and Citizenship Collection
New England Literacy Resource Center
One of several online collections offered by the New England Literacy Resource Center. Provides annotated list of websites and original resources that address civics for ESL and adult basic education learners, citizenship preparation, professional development, research, and legislation. Includes citizenship teachers’ reflections on classroom activities, resources for students, and materials for teachers.
http://www.nelrc.org/cpcc/prep.htm
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Citizenship section of this website contains information about the naturalization process, including RAPID Answers, a quarterly publication providing information updates for practitioners who work with immigrants.
http://www.hias.org/immigration.php
Literacy Assistance Center
Founded in 1983, the Literacy Assistance Center (LAC) provides referrals, training, information, and technical assistance to literacy programs in New York. Offers professional development materials, lesson plans, and curricula designed for youth and adult literacy instructors. Contains links to civics education and citizenship preparation instructional tools and resources on government and voting.
http://www.lacnyc.org/resources/links/civics.htm
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA)
U. S. Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition
A compilation of resources for parents, teachers, providers, and others. Focuses on English language acquisition, cultural influences, immigrants and America’s schools, and parent involvement in their children’s education, especially under the No Child Left Behind Act. With the family as context, these resources provide background knowledge for teachers about their students' cultures, customs, and languages, and information on how these may affect the classroom community. Offers links to relevant scholarly journals and websites. Additional content specific to adult English language learners is also available.
http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/
New Readers Press
ProLiteracy Worldwide
Offers a weekly newspaper and teaching tools for readers at level four and above and a variety of resources for ESL and citizenship classes. For example, Citizenship: Passing the Test is a low literacy test preparation package that includes a student workbook and teacher’s guide. Other multimedia, print, and video resources address preparing for the citizenship interview, U.S. geography, history, culture, and basic facts about American life. Download of Becoming a Citizen: Get Prepared workshop presentation available at no cost. Other video and print resources available for purchase at:
http://www.newreaderspress.com
Outcomes of Seven EL/Civics Demonstration Grant Projects Funded by OVAE in FY2000
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education
Presents outcomes from seven EL/Civics demonstration grant projects. Links to program websites offering a variety of resources, including an EL/Civics How-To Manual, curricula, lesson plans, and teacher training materials.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/elcnote.html
Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN)
Offers citizenship and EL/Civics lesson plans, classroom activities, Internet sites for use with students, and articles on teaching and learning. Also provides a group of over 40 EL/Civics instructional materials that are available for a modest fee. Topics include: parent guidelines to navigating the school system; sample job interviews; financial literacy lessons; and mock citizenship interviews. Links to organizations and other resources on citizenship, EL/Civics, vocational ESL, adult basic education, and lesson plan building tools. Free registration for users required.
http://www.otan.us
ProLiteracy
Serves adult volunteer literacy organizations and adult learners throughout the world. Sponsors a broad range of programs and services for adult learners and their families. Provides accreditation, technical assistance as well as program and professional development services. Offers nationally recognized certification for supervising trainers and trainers of volunteer tutors in basic skills and ESL. Produces training guides and other materials for trainers, teachers, and volunteers.
http://www.proliteracy.org
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
TESOL provides professional development support to teachers of adults who seek to learn or improve their English skills. Services include workshops, online learning opportunities, publications, and Internet-based member communities.
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/index.asp
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Provides information and resources to newly arrived immigrants who are ready and eligible to apply for naturalization, and organizations and educators that serve immigrants. Features instructional materials under the Education and Resources section of the website for citizenship and civics education instructors and their students. New resources include Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants and the Civics Flash Cards.
http://www.uscis.gov
The White House/Government
Provides descriptions of the three branches of government, federal agencies and departments, and profiles of administration officials. Offers information on current issues, including immigration legislation, descriptions of the various offices and councils reporting to the President, and a Citizens’ Handbook that explains the role of the federal government in a variety of areas, such as education and training, employment, health, and housing. Also provides an interactive forum with Cabinet Secretaries, Senior White House Officials, behind-the-scenes professionals at the White House, and others.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/
