Student activity: "What Does It Mean to Be American?" -"What Does Your Citizenship Mean to You?"

Too often, our students get discouraged about getting good marks in their ESL classes, or their status as a future American . This activity will help them remember why they decided to come to America, and what it means for them to be part of this country. This is a

topic that should be discussed, as it is one of the primary goals for the majority of ESL students today. I have created a whole lesson plan to help guide the classroom to help ESL students Practice speaking while reminding them of what it means to be part of America.

What Does It Mean to Be American 2.pdf

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Objective: The goal of this exercise is for students to reflect on their personal identities and citizenship, helping them understand the cultural and emotional connections people have to their nationalities.

This activity will foster conversation, improve speaking and writing skills, and promote understanding of different perspectives.

Enjoy! ~*xo

1. Warm-Up (5-10 minutes):

Start with a brief group discussion. Ask the students questions like:

- What does "being American" mean to you?- What do you think of when you hear the word "America" or "American"? - How do you feel about your country or your citizenship?

For an example, share your story (see page 4 for an example). Encourage thoughtful answers.

Goal: Let the students express their initial thoughts and feelings about the topic.

2. Personal Reflection (10-15 minutes):

Ask each student to think about and write a short personal reflection on the following two prompts. (They can write it in their native language first if needed, but encourage them to try in English as much as possible.)

- Prompt 1: "What does it mean to be an American for you?"

- Think about the culture, values, symbols, and experiences that define being American. It could be related to freedom, diversity, the American Dream, or anything that resonates with you.

- Prompt 2: "What does your own citizenship mean to you?"

- Reflect on how you feel about your nationality. What does it mean to belong to your country? Are there traditions, memories, or emotions tied to your citizenship?

3. Pair Discussion (10-15 minutes):

Once everyone has written their thoughts, divide the students into pairs. Have them share their reflections with each other and discuss the similarities and differences between their feelings about being American and their own citizenship.

4. Group Sharing (15 minutes)

After the pair discussions, invite each pair to share one or two interesting ideas they heard from their partner. This will help create a broader sense of how people view national identity.

5. Wrap-Up (5 minutes):

To end the activity, ask students to share any new insights they have gained about the concepts of citizenship and national identity. Encourage them to reflect on how these personal experiences help shape their understanding of others' perspectives.

Example (for Teacher to Share):

What does it mean to be an American?

Since I was a little girl, I always knew that being an American was a gift not to be taken for granted. Stories of war, children in other countries starving for rise, and cruel punishment inflicted on innocent human beings across the world - without any care from their government - have always been in the forefront of my mind. I believe as Americans, we have the responsibility to use the voice we have to stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves.

It’s amazing how our government protects us- our health and wellbeing in so many ways - from worker’s rights to what we eat. Sure, there are things that my country can improve on, but what is so beautiful about this room for improvement, is that Americans like me get to use our voice to support, change, or even make laws to ensure the quality of our fellow Americans lives.

In America, anyone can make a difference.

What does my citizenship mean to me?

Having an American citizenship means that I can have the ability to do anything I want. This citizenship is very special to me as it connects me to my parents' dreams of coming here from a country that did not even care to understand the importance of basic human rights .

Although I do not have any roots or lineage here in America, I know that with our rights, abilities , and freedom of expression, that I can make a difference (big or small) for others as they have done for me.

Tips for Success:- Encourage Vulnerability: Let students know that this is a safe space to share their personal thoughts and feelings, and that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers.

- Use Visuals: Show pictures or symbols related to American culture (like the flag, the Statue of Liberty, etc.) and ask students to reflect on what they represent to them.

- Adapt to Proficiency Level: Adjust the complexity of language and the depth of the reflections depending on your students’ language proficiency.

This activity not only promotes language practice but also encourages a deeper connection to personal identity, cultural understanding, and empathy for others.