Cape's Adult Education program helps immigrants obtain U.S. citizenship

With guidance from the Cape Girardeau Adult Education and Literacy program, Yan Zahner of Jackson is preparing to become a citizen of the United States.

Over the past few years, she invested many hours improving her spoken English, practicing her reading and writing skills and studying the branches of government while attending the program's citizenship and English as a second-language classes.

She's counting down to July 27, when Zahner will put her knowledge to the test in St. Louis during an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer.

During the interview, the officer will ask questions about her application and background. She also will take an English test that has three components: reading, writing and speaking. She then will take a civics test that covers important U.S. history and government topics.

Zahner left China in 2010 to come to the United States, where she married her husband, Russ Zahner. She since has worked her way up at the Jackson School District, where she is a food-service manager at Orchard Drive Elementary.

Because she is married to a U.S. citizen, Zahner was eligible to apply for citizenship after three years in the United States. But for those who are not married to a citizen, they must wait five years.

Zahner said there are resources online that can be used to study for the citizenship test, but learning in a classroom with other students comes with advantages.

"It's a better way to learn," Zahner said, adding students can join the class before applying for their citizenship to give them more time to learn through repetition.

"The more you study, the easier it gets," she said.

And with several countries represented in the classes, students also learn to understand different accents.

Rollene Storms, who teaches the citizenship and English classes, said the officer who interviews the applicant also could be from another country or could have a Southern or northern accent.

"It's not a hobby," Storms said of studying for the interview and tests.

The students, she said, have to learn quickly so their lives here can become easier -- from being able to read signs to trying to get a job.

Storms has taught the citizenship class for the past four years, she said, and has seen students from more than 30 countries, including many who were well-educated professionals in their native countries. The students come here for a variety of reasons, she said, whether they have a job here or extended family.

"But they come here, they speak broken English, and people evaluate them by what they see as limited ability," Storms said. "We really push our students -- let's speak proper English. We want them to know how smart you are."

Zahner said one of the most beneficial parts of the citizenship class is role playing. One student will pretend to be the officer, and the other will be the applicant.

"If we have a mistake, we can find out from playing," she said, adding the students also become a support system. "We're just like a friend or family who can help each other."

When asked whether she was nervous about her upcoming interview, Zahner said, "Of course."

But Storms said she has faith in her student.

"Yan is a very diligent student," Storms said. "She's worked at it from the very beginning."

Most applicants find out that day whether they passed the tests and interview, but some have to wait for a mailed letter.

"Most people just call right away and say, 'I got it,'" Storms said. "Then we celebrate. If one person gets their citizenship, it's cause for celebration for the whole class."

Zahner said Storms will be the first person she will call when she gets the news.

About eight countries were represented during last year's citizenship class, and Storms said she hopes for more students this year. Most people who enroll in the citizenship class also enroll in the English as a second language class. Both begin in August and continue through the regular school year.

Those interested in enrolling for the English as a second language class and/or the citizenship class are invited to attend a registration reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 or Aug. 12 at the adult learning center, 409 N. Clark St. For more information, call 309-255-2288.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

409 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.