Application Questions
It is just as important to prepare learners for the naturalization interview as it is to prepare for the test of history and government. This is especially true for low-level English speakers. The immigration interviewer will review the N-400 naturalization application with the applicant and may ask each question on the application form to comfirm that this information has not changed. The interviewer is also assessing the applicant's level of English. It is important to be prepared to respond to these questions and be completely honest in responding.

You can find materials to perpare applicants for the N-400 questions here.

Test of U.S. History and Government
Citizenship applicants need to learn U.S. history and government. The old test has 96 questions. Here is a list of 96 history and government questions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the old test.

The new test has 100 questions. Here is a list of the 100 history and government questions from USCIS for the new test.

You may also use these study materials to prepare students for the questions in either test.

Citizenship Bibliography
This bibliography includes textbooks, websites, and a list of publishers. Many of these books may be borrowed from the Minnesota Literacy Council Lending Library.

Dictation Sentences
For the old test, an immigration officer requires an applicant to write one dictation sentence about everyday life or U.S. history. Click here for a list of sample dictation sentences. When working with applicants whose English level is low it is helpful to keep some things in mind.

For the new test, applicants will read a question out loud and then will be asked to write a dictation sentence which is the answer to the question that they just read out loud.

Here is a chart from USCIS with vocabulary for the English Reading Test in the new test.

Here is a chart from USCIS with vocabulary for the English Writing Test in the new test.

Interview Tips
This document gives some suggestions on how to prepare low-level English speakers for the naturalization interview. It includes information on conducting mock interviews, taking ownership of the interview by asking questions and showing that you are processing information rather than not understanding the question and writing dictation sentences.

If you are a MN citizenship teacher and would like to receive email updates on citizenship trainings and legal issues, contact Ron Mazurowski at ronm@theMLC.org.