Civics Education for Adult English Language Learners. ERIC Q & A.

Overview & Synopsis

This article provides a brief historical review of efforts to prepare immigrants to pass the U.S. citizenship test, defines key terms, discusses events that have shaped civics education, and offers suggestions, whatever the approach chosen, for integrating civics content with English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) skills development. Covered topics include the following: a definition of civics education, events that have shaped civics education in the United States in the 20th century, a detailed summary and breakdown of some of the activities and approaches that integrate civics education with language learning at beginning, advanced, and intermediate levels, a description and review of resources available for civics education, and what is needed for English language/civics education programs to be successful. (Contains forty-five references and civics education resources.) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (KFT)