teacher’s version - cbc.ca · web viewthe first one is completed for you as an example....

Learning English with CBCListening Lessons for Intermediate StudentsBased on CBC Manitoba Radio Broadcasts

January 18, 2013Lesson 85: Self Study Edition

Level: CLB 6 and upTopic: Canadian CitizenshipLanguage Skills and Functions: Listening – listening to a short interview for

informationSpeaking – expressing approval/disapproval Reading – reading a text for main ideas and detailWriting – writing a letter

Language Competencies: Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening and Speaking Strategies, Socio-cultural/sociolinguistic Competence

Language Tasks: Express opinions on what citizenship means to you

Use new vocabulary in context

Predict whether information is true or false before listening to a radio interview about Canadian citizenship; listen to the interview for the information to check your answers

Express approval/disapproval of specific Canadian citizenship requirements and give reasons for your responses

Read about strategies you can use to for multiple choice questions and think about your experience with multiple choice questions

Read a short excerpt from the Discover Canada citizenship guide and practise answering multiple choice questions on the text

Write a letter to a friend comparing the citizenship systems of Canada and your country of origin

Essential Skills: Reading text, oral communication, writing

Appendices: Transcript of the podcast Text: Message to Our Readers (From Discover Canada) Answers to Worksheets

Self Study: Canadian Citizenship Learning English with CBC of 17

Manitoba Memo

What is citizenship? In countries around the world, most people are citizens at birth. Their citizenship is based on who their parents are or where they were born. However, citizenship becomes a more complicated process when someone wants to become a citizen of a different country.

Individual countries are responsible for setting the requirements for citizenship. The requirements may include living in the country for a certain period of time, a payment, passing a test, being able to speak the language, a criminal record check or a combination of items. In some countries, length of residency is the main criteria. In other countries, such as Canada, residency and other requirements apply.

Most newcomers to Canada want to become citizens. Permanent resident status does not have the same rights as citizenship. A citizen can vote, run for office and obtain a Canadian passport. Most newcomers see citizenship as the final step in their quest to become a Canadian.

Canadian citizens enjoy certain rights but they also have responsibilities. These responsibilities include obeying the law, working hard and taking care of your family, serving on a jury, voting in elections, helping others in the community and protecting and enjoying Canada’s heritage and environment.

Most western countries, including Canada, require newcomers to pass a test to become citizens. In this country, immigrants between the ages of 18 and 54 must achieve a specific score on a test to be eligible for citizenship. Citizenship tests and the questions they ask can be controversial. Some critics of the tests argue that they can be used to keep people out of the country or to prevent them from fully participating in their adopted country.

In recent years, Canada has increased its requirements for citizenship. Now, applicants must have proof of their language level before they can apply to write the test. Some of the questions on the test are difficult and a higher test score is needed to pass than was needed in the past.

These changes in the Canadian requirements are affecting some immigrant communities more than others. The changes may put citizenship further out of reach for newcomers with little or no formal education. Citizenship is also becoming more difficult for immigrants who come to Canada from countries where English or French is not a commonly spoken language and where there is little familiarity with Canadian roots and customs. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that citizenship test failure rates are far greater in the Afghan and Vietnamese communities, for example, than among immigrants coming from Britain or Australia.

If they want to become citizens, many newcomers to Canada will now need to study even harder to realize their dream. That’s especially challenging when they are also working and raising a family. Some may be forced to accept that full citizenship is not within their grasp until they reach the age of 55, but others will keep trying. After all, Canada is their home.


Background

1. Answer questions about what you think should be the main requirements of Canadian citizenship

Imagine for a moment that you are responsible for deciding who can become a Canadian citizen. What would you emphasize? What do you consider to be the most important requirements for citizenship? Why?

Do you have the vocabulary you need to discuss this topic?

Think about what citizenship means to you. What should determine whether an immigrant or refugee can become a Canadian citizen? Here are some things to consider:

Residency - how long they have lived in Canada. Ability to speak the local language adequately. Ability to speak the local language very well. Ability to get a job. Financial resources. Do they have enough money to support

themselves when they first arrive? Contributions to the community, e.g. by volunteering. Whether they have family here. Honesty and moral character. Knowledge of details of Canada’s history, geography, customs etc. Level of education.

If you were responsible for deciding who can be a Canadian citizen, what three things would you prioritize? You can choose items from the list above or offer your own ideas. What factors would be most important? Why?

a)______________________________________________________

b)______________________________________________________

c)______________________________________________________


2. Vocabulary definitions

Here are some words you need to know to understand the CBC interview.

Vocabulary a citizen A citizen is someone who legally belongs to a

country and who has certain rights and responsibilities in that country.

a citizenship test A citizenship test asks a series of questions about the history, customs etc. of a country. Immigrants must obtain a specific score on the test to be eligible for citizenship.

the Canadian Language Benchmarks The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are national standards for English and French. The Benchmarks describe, measure and recognize second language abilities adult immigrants and prospective immigrants need for living and working in Canada. The benchmarks describe tasks students need to be able to achieve in speaking, reading, listening and writing for each of the twelve benchmark levels.

to apply for something If you apply for something, you formally request it. The request is usually in writing. For example, you apply for a passport by filling out an application.

a refugee A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country, especially during a war, or for political or religious reasons.

unfortunate circumstances When people live in disadvantaged situations and are unable to control or influence what’s happening around them, we sometimes say they are living in or experiencing unfortunate circumstances.

a formal education A formal education is the kind of education you receive at school or in college or university. It is different from an informal education. An informal education is the practical experience of our everyday lives.

a requirement A requirement is something you must do because a rule or a law says it must be done.


to be adequate We describe something as adequate if it is sufficient or enough for a particular purpose. For example: If you read the Discover Canada booklet, you will have adequate or sufficient knowledge of Canadian history to write the citizenship test.

to be mandatory Mandatory means compulsory. If something is mandatory, a rule or law says that you must do it.

to be able to function If someone can work and live in our society, we say they are able to function in it.

to attain something If you work for something for a long time and succeed, we say you have attained it. For example: Nooria studied for four years before she was able to attain or reach the language level she needed to write her citizenship test.

to encourage someone When you give someone the courage or confidence to do something, we say you are encouraging them. For example: Our teacher encouraged us to practise our English by giving us positive feedback and telling us every day that we were improving.

to aim for something When you aim for something, you try to achieve it. For example, if your goal is to complete benchmark level four, we say you are aiming to complete it.

an obstacle An obstacle is a barrier. It is something you must overcome to succeed.


3. Can you match the vocabulary words with the correct meaning?

Learning vocabulary before you listen helps you understand the podcast. Can you match each vocabulary word or phrase with its meaning? You can use an English Language Learner’s Dictionary to help you. The first one is completed for you as an example.

Vocabulary Word Meaning

1. _d a citizen a) national language standards which describe the language abilities immigrants need to work and live in Canada

2. __ a citizenship test b) something you must have according to a rule or law

3. __ Canadian Language Benchmarks

c) an education in a school, college or university

4. __ to apply for something

d) someone who legally/officially belongs to a country

5. __ a refugee e) sufficient

6. __ to experience unfortunate circumstances

f) to be compulsory; something you have to do because it is the law

7. __ a formal education g) to get or accomplish something you have been working toward for a long time

8. __ a requirement h) to give someone confidence that they can do something

9. __ adequate i) to be able to live/work somewhere

10. __ to be mandatory j) to plan to achieve something; to set a goal for the future

11. __ to function somewhere

k) a series of questions which test knowledge of Canada and of English or French language abilities of someone who is applying for citizenship

12. __ to attain something l) someone who is forced to leave their country, especially during a war, or for religious or political reasons

13. __ to encourage someone

m) to be disadvantaged due to things that are happening around you, e.g. poverty, war

14. __ to aim for something n) a barrier; something you have to work hard to overcome

15. __ an obstacle o) to make a formal request for something, e.g. a passport


4. Predict what the interview is about

In this interview, Terry MacLeod interviews Ermias Yoseph of Welcome Place about recent changes to the language requirements to apply for Canadian citizenship. The new requirements make it harder for some immigrants and refugees to become citizens. Ermias talks about how the changes may affect the refugee newcomers he works with. Can you predict any concerns Ermias might have about the changes?

Here are a few examples:

He might be concerned that his clients will… become discouraged.He might think that the changes …are unfair.Maybe he won’t have any concerns at all.

5. Get ready to listen

In this podcast, you will hear three speakers. You will hear:

Marcy Markusa – hostTerry MacLeod – interviewerErmias Yoseph – Welcome Place

6. Listen for information

Read the sentences below before you listen to the CBC interview. Predict if they are true or false.

Then listen to the interview about Canadian citizenship for information. Sometimes you will be listening for specific information or details. Sometimes you will be listening for the main idea. Were your predictions correct?

1. Every year 17,000 immigrants to Canada become citizens. True False

2. In 2010, the federal government made the citizenship test easier. True False

3. In 2011, there were more changes. True False

4. Now you need a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 4. True False

5. Many refugees to Canada did not have an opportunity to go to school.

True False

6. These new rules will make the situation harder for them. True False

7. The government feels that these new rules will help newcomers be more successful at work.

True False

8. The new rules will create obstacles to citizenship for some newcomers.

True False


After you listen

a) Review your pre-listening predictionsWere you able to predict any of the concerns Ermias Yoseph talked about?

b) Express approval/disapproval of Canadian citizenship requirements

Look at some of the requirements you must meet to get Canadian citizenship. What do you think? Do you approve or disapprove? Practise the language you need to show your approval or disapproval and tell why you feel that way.

Requirements Approve Disapprove Reason1. You must have CLB Level 4 in

English or French to apply for citizenship.

2. You cannot become a Canadian citizen if you have recently been or are currently in prison.

3. Applicants who are 55 or older don’t have to meet the same language requirement.

4. You may be asked to provide fingerprints as part of the application process.

5. You must live in Canada as a permanent resident for a specific period of time.

6. You must apply for citizenship while you are living within Canada.

Here’s some language you can use to express approval and disapproval:

I approve of ________________ because….

I disapprove of ______________ because….

I’m not sure what I think of __________ because….


c) Read about strategies for answering multiple choice questions

Multiple choice testing is a common form of testing that you may encounter. For example, these kinds of questions are on the Canadian citizenship test, so it is a good idea to become familiar with them.

Multiple choice questions usually have a very similar format. They include an incomplete statement or “stem”, followed by three to five optional answers.

Answering multiple choice questions can be tricky. In some cases, the answers are based on facts or numbers and it is clear that only one answer is true. In other cases, more than one answer may appear to be true or could be true in some circumstances. Your task is to determine which answer is the best answer.

Here is an example:

Question Stem Possible Answers

To apply for Canadian citizenship, adult newcomers must…

a) have lived in Canada for five yearsb) meet all the legal requirementsc) hire a lawyerd) understand English

Let’s analyze the possible answers.

(a) Is incorrect, as the requirement is that adults must live in Canada for three years before they can apply.

(b) Is correct. You must meet all the legal requirements for Canadian citizenship before you can apply.

(c) Is incorrect. While some people may hire a lawyer, the question stem says “must”. Applicants are certainly not required to hire a lawyer.

(d) Is somewhat correct. Understanding English is a requirement to apply for citizenship. However, the answer doesn’t define what “understand English” means. And if you are applying to live in Quebec, you need to understand French, not English.

Therefore, the best answer to this question is (b).


Basic Strategies for Answering Multiple Choice Questions

Here are some strategies you can use when you are answering multiple choice questions:

Strategies

1. Read and listen to the test instructions carefully. How much time do you have? Do you lose marks if you answer incorrectly?

2. Read through the test.

3. If you are allowed to, answer the easiest questions first. This way, you won’t run out of time and miss answering questions where you know the answer. (If your test is on the computer, or an oral test, you may not be able to do this. You may have to answer each question in order.)

4. If you don’t lose marks for guessing, make your best guess on more difficult questions.

5. If the questions are difficult, you could try the following strategies:

Cover the answers with your hand – how would you answer the stem of the question if there were no answers listed? See if any of the possible answers are close to your answer.

Decide which answers you know are incorrect and focus on the remaining answers.

Read the stem of the question with the remaining answers one by one. Think of each one as a true/false question. Select the answer that is “most true”.

If two answers seem correct, compare them for differences. Read the stem with each of these answers. Decide which one is your best answer.

Think about the following questions:

1. Are multiple choice tests common in your country of origin? How/ when are they used?

2. Have you written tests with multiple choice questions since you came to Canada? In what kinds of situations? How easy/difficult were they?

3. What do you find the most challenging thing about answering multiple choice questions?

4. Have you ever used any of the strategies you’ve just read about to help you answer multiple choice questions? Which ones? Did they help?


d) Read a text about citizenship and answer multiple choice questions

Read the text in Appendix 2. The information is from the Discover Canada study guide. The questions on the Canadian citizenship test are based on the information found in this guide.

Practise using the strategies you just read about as you answer these multiple choice questions.

1. To apply for Canadian citizenship, newcomers must

a) have lived in Canada for five yearsb) meet all the legal requirementsc) hire a lawyerd) understand English or French

2. Newcomers have been coming to Canada for

a) 400 yearsb) 500 yearsc) 200 yearsd) 300 years

3. Canada’s government is best described as

a) a provincial democracyb) a constitutional democracyc) a parliamentary democracyd) a democracy

4. To be eligible for citizenship, immigrants between the ages of 18 and 54 must have

a) an adequate knowledge of French and Englishb) an adequate knowledge of French

c) an adequate knowledge of Englishd) an adequate knowledge of French or English

5. To be eligible for citizenship, immigrants must learn about

a) local history and geographyb) North American history and geographyc) provincial history and geographyd) Canadian history and geography


e) Write a letter comparing citizenship systems

Do you have the vocabulary to write a letter to a friend or relative that compares applying for Canadian citizenship with applying for citizenship in your country? Use the outline to help you with your letter.

Who are you writing to? Dear ____________________________:

Start with why youare writing the letter.

Now that I have lived in Canada for close to three years, I am

preparing to apply for citizenship. It is a long process!

The system in Canada is very (similar to / different than) the

system in our country.

Write about one main difference / similarity. For example, one of the main requirements here is that you

_______________________________________________

_________________________________________________.

As you know, this is (similar / different) to what happens in our

country because ___________________________________

_________________________________________________.

Write about a second difference / similarity. Another requirement that’s (similar / different) is ___________

_________________________________________________.

Conclude and write a closing sentence wishing them well

Overall, I think that the process for applying for citizenship in

Canada is (easier / harder) than it is in our country.

I hope you are ___________________________________.

Send me a note when you get a chance.

Your friend,

_________________________Appendix 1: Transcript


December 19, 2012 (Information Radio broadcast date)Speaker Podcast Line

Marcy Hi I'm Marcy Markusa and you're listening to Learning English

with CBC. Every year, about 170,000 immigrants to Canada

become citizens. But becoming a citizen has become

increasingly difficult. In 2010, the federal government changed

the citizenship test, requiring a higher score to pass and

making the questions more challenging. Then, in November of

2012, the rules were changed again so that newcomers

between 18 and 54 must prove they have a Canadian

Language Benchmark score of four before they can apply for

citizenship. In this interview, Terry MacLeod interviews Ermias

Yoseph of Welcome Place about how these changes are

affecting newcomers in Manitoba.

5

10

Terry How hard is it for newcomers to reach this benchmark level of

four?

Ermias Um, considering the background where most of these refugees

come from it’s very hard because ah most of our clients ah

because of ah unfortunate circumstances did not have an

opportunity to go to school or to ah get a formal education and

ah now to ah require them to obtain a benchmark level of four

and above is ah very hard for them.

15

20

Terry How did it work before these rules came into effect?

Ermias Before these rules came into effect you didn’t have to ah have

a required benchmark level as long as you have um adequate

knowledge um of ah Canadian history and ah you are able to

communicate in English ah you can and then as long as you’ve

lived for ah about three years in Canada, you are able to apply.

It was not mandatory to have a benchmark level of four and

above.

25


Terry Is it fair though to expect people to have a certain level of

English in order to function in Canadian society? 30

Ermias Ah I understand the the reasoning behind this requirement. It’s

a to ah allow or to assist newcomer families, including refugee

newcomers, to be able to communicate effectively or to ah be

able to find work easily. But ah it should also be understood

that ah most of these refugees did not have a formal

education. Some of them never went to school in their lives.

So ah it’s very difficult for for them to attain that. Some may

not ever, may never be able to attain the benchmark level four,

so ah considering those facts, I don’t think it’s fair for refugee

families.

35

40

Terry Now the government says the rules are in place because

better English leads to greater work success for newcomers.

Are these rules encouraging people to work harder because

they aim for a benchmark level of four, and therefore they say,

I’m going to get that, I’m going to work really hard? 45

Ermias Ah some of these people actually ah, from the time they

arrived in Canada, they’ve been attending school. They they

realize that it’s important for them to ah to know the language

or to have the language skills in order to be successful at work.

They’ve been attending school, I know (mentions the name of

two newcomers he knows), they’ve been attending school

since they came to Canada, they’ve been working, they know

that it helps but the same time, it’s also bringing some

obstacles for them to ah be able to apply for Canadian

citizenship but ah it’s an ongoing problem.

50

55


Appendix 2: Message to Our Readers1

From the Discover Canada Citizenship Study Guide

Welcome! It took courage to move to a new country. Your decision to apply for citizenship is another big step. You are becoming part of a great tradition that was built by generations of pioneers before you. Once you have met all the legal requirements, we hope to welcome you as a new citizen with all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Canada has welcomed generations of newcomers to our shores to help us build a free, law-abiding and prosperous society. For 400 years, settlers and immigrants have contributed to the diversity and richness of our country, which is built on a proud history and a strong identity.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy and a federal state. Canadians are bound together by a shared commitment to the rule of law and to the institutions of parliamentary government.

Canadians take pride in their identity and have made sacrifices to defend their way of life. By coming to Canada and taking this important step toward Canadian citizenship, you are helping to write the continuing story of Canada. Immigrants between the ages of 18 and 54 must have adequate knowledge of English or French in order to become Canadian citizens. You must also learn about voting procedures, Canada’s history, symbols, democratic institutions, geography, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Canadian citizens enjoy many rights, but Canadians also have responsibilities. They must obey Canada’s laws and respect the rights and freedoms of others.

This guide will help you prepare to become a Canadian citizen. Good luck!

1 You can find the Discover Canada Study Guide at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/section-02.aspSelf Study: Canadian Citizenship Learning English with CBC of 17

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/section-02.asp

Want to know more…

The Citizenship and Immigration Canada website has information on citizenship requirements and processes. The background information you need to study for the test is on this website and there are sample questions: www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/index.asp

For background information on how the 2010 changes to the citizenship test affected different groups of applicants, go to: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/how-applicants-are-stumbling-on-the-final-step-to-becoming-canadians/article4382633/

and

www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/who-benefits-when-new-immigrants-are-held-to-high-language-standards/article4382652/

This You Tube video has examples of some the more difficult questions that could be on the citizenship test: www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ub-IB17EM

CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external websites


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ub-IB17EM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/who-benefits-when-new-immigrants-are-held-to-high-language-standards/article4382652/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/who-benefits-when-new-immigrants-are-held-to-high-language-standards/article4382652/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/how-applicants-are-stumbling-on-the-final-step-to-becoming-canadians/article4382633/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/how-applicants-are-stumbling-on-the-final-step-to-becoming-canadians/article4382633/

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/index.asp

Answers to Worksheets

Vocabulary Match1. d2. k3. a4. o5. l6. m7. c8. b9. e10. f11. i12. g13. h14. j15. n

Listen for Information

1. F2. F3. T4. T5. T6. T7. T8. T

Read a Text and Answer Multiple Choice Questions

1. b2. a3. c4. d5. d


teacher’s version - cbc.ca · web viewthe first one is completed for you as an example....

Documents