Paving the Path to Citizenship
- maconncliteracy
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Becoming a United States citizen is a profound milestone that represents years of hard work, hope, and dedication. To support community members on this journey, The Literacy & Learning Center is proud to offer a FREE weekly Citizenship Class led by Faviola Olvera beginning March 11. Held every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 pm at 675 S 4th St in Highlands, this program is designed to help students navigate the complexities of the U.S. naturalization exam with confidence.
Comprehensive Test Preparation
The naturalization process requires applicants to pass a multi-part exam, and the TL&LC curriculum addresses each requirement through guided instruction:
• The English Test: Students practice the basic speaking, reading, and writing skills necessary for the exam.
• Reading and Writing Proficiency: During the official test, applicants must read one of three civics-based sentences aloud and correctly write one of three sentences. The class provides structured practice for these specific tasks.
• The Civics Test: Instruction covers the 100 possible questions regarding U.S. history and government provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Key topics include the principles of American democracy, the system of government, the colonial period, the 1800s, and integrated civics such as geography and national symbols.
A Tradition of Success
The impact of this focused preparation is best seen through the success of students like Violeta Rojas Quintero. Working alongside Faviola Olvera, Violeta spent months mastering the 100 history and government questions and refining her English pronunciation. Despite the demands of her job and the care of several children, Violeta’s diligence was rewarded. She passed her exam on the first try, with no errors, and was officially sworn in as a U.S. citizen in April of 2023.
Faviola shared, "I have never had a student work so diligently and stay so focused. I’m very proud of her hard work!" This new weekly class seeks to replicate that success for every student who walks through our doors.
To learn more about programs at The Literacy & Learning Center, contact Caroline Cox at ccox@theliteracyandlearningcenter.org or 828-526-0863 or visit TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org.
