U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to release a new version of the citizenship test next year. The Associated Press reports that USCIS “proposes that the new test adds a speaking section to assess English skills.” Some people are unhappy about this. They tell the AP that it will make the test too stressful for immigrants.
In the current English test, “an officer evaluates speaking ability during the naturalization interview by asking personal questions the applicant has already answered in the naturalization paperwork.” Of course, this tells you nothing other than a person’s ability to memorize certain phrases. In the new test, however, “an officer would show photos of ordinary scenarios — like daily activities, weather or food — and ask the applicant to verbally describe the photos.”
It’s not as if immigrants are being asked to analyze the works of Shakespeare or explain quantum physics. These are pictures of day-to-day scenarios and objects that people are likely to encounter. Also, there are exemptions for those whose age or medical condition prevents them from being able to pass this test.
Naturalizing is different from being a permanent resident. With the latter, you are a person who lives in a foreign country with that country’s permission. But with the former, you have sworn to be a fully committed citizen of said country. Having a basic grasp of your country’s language seems like a reasonable requirement for citizenship.