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Understanding Literacy

Click to find a citizenship class near your home or work.

Why is Literacy Important to Citizenship?

About half of legal residents (an estimated 5.8 million people) in the United States need English instruction before they can pass the naturalization test (Migration Policy Institute).

The path to citizenship can be thwarted by low literacy skills. Our goal is to assist motivated adults who are eligible to pursue citizenship to their naturalization application by referring them to local citizenship classes.

Tarrant Literacy Coalition and Agape Baptist Church co-sponsor citizenship classes several times each year. For more information about these classes, call our Literacy Help Line: 817-870-0082.

Opening the Door to Engagement

Whether filling out the application form, studying civic questions, or completing the interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), literacy is a vital skill. However, literacy is not just about passing exams or interviews. Citizenship literacy is really about communication, cross-cultural skills, and engagement in civic life.

Training for instructors is the passport to a stronger, effective citizenship program.

Basic Language Skills

To be eligible for naturalization, one must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. Citizenship literacy classes help adults prepare to complete the literacy portion of the exam by practicing basic vocabulary and sentence structure.

U.S. History and Government

The civics test is an oral test, and it is crafted to reflect the essence of what it means to be an American citizen. Classes prepare students to answer civics questions that cover basic U.S. history and knowledge of American government.

American Culture

An investment in literacy makes an enormous difference in the speed and degree to which immigrants can participate and contribute to American society. Discussions and lessons in American culture provide tools and experiences that ease the transition to citizenship.


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