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He test to obtain United States citizenship it is in the process of being updated and is already raising concerns for immigrants with lower levels of English proficiency.
USCIS announced in December that it will be checking changes to the naturalization test on both the updated speaking test and the civics testhoping to implement them in 2024.
The changes proposed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) include the addition of a speaking section to assess English skills, according to The Associated Press.
While some argue that these modifications will make the test more challenging and stressful for immigrants, others believe that it is essential to ensure language proficiency in order to obtain citizenship.
The naturalization test is one of the final steps toward citizenship, a months-long process that requires lawful permanent residence for years before applying for citizenship.
Former Republican President Donald Trump’s administration changed the test in 2020, making it longer and harder to pass. During the first 100 days of Joe Biden’s presidency, he signed an executive order aimed at removing barriers to citizenship. In that spirit, the naturalization test was moved to its previous version, last updated in 2008.
fifteen years later, USCIS is preparing a new update to this test that would change the way oral questions are answered in English. and that it can enter into force during this year.
The current test assesses speaking ability by asking personal questions that applicants have already answered in their written application.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services is proposing that the new test add an oral section to test English communication skills. The new test would show applicants photos of everyday scenarios and ask them to describe them verbally.
Critics argue that this new speaking section, based on visual cues rather than personal questions, may disproportionately affect adult English learners who have difficulty with pronunciation, as well as cause even more stress in conversations. people with a better command of English.
USCIS justifies the proposed changes because they reflect best practices in test design and standardize the citizenship test and plans to conduct a nationwide test in 2023 to gather public feedback and engage outside experts in reviewing the results, prior to implement the changes.
Keep reading:
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