Michigan’s Accelerated NihonGo for Americans
Application Grades 6-9
MSUによるアメリカ人学生向けの日本語集中学習プログラム
Program begins: Fall Semester 2024
Application deadline: July 12, 2024
M.A.N.G.A. Overview Video
Description
M.A.N.G.A., in partnership with the Office of University Outreach and Engagement at Michigan State University, provides classroom instruction for qualified students in grades 6-9. M.A.N.G.A. is designed so that participating students can complete in three years the Japanese language content assigned in the Michigan High School Content Expectations (HSCE) for all four years of high school. Semesters 1-4 of the GATE Japanese program correspond to one year of high school Japanese; semesters 5-6 correspond to a high school AP Japanese course. Students may elect to take the AP Japanese exam and register by the registration deadlines established by the College Board. Students interested in taking the AP Japanese exam should contact their school counselor prior to the start of semester 5.
Students must begin M.A.N.G.A. with Japanese 1 curriculum. Bypassing one or more courses is not permitted. Students completing M.A.N.G.A. should be prepared to take the Japanese Language & Culture advanced placement (AP) exam, or a college Japanese course.
Course attendance is mandatory. Students are allowed 2 absences per semester (2 for Fall, 2 for Spring) and must make up that class’ work by the next class session. Students who miss more than 2 class sessions will not receive a passing grade for the course and will be removed upon the third absence.
| M.A.N.G.A. Schedule | Course |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Fall, Year 1) | Japanese 1 |
| Semester 2 (Spring, Year 1) | Japanese 2 |
| Semester 3 (Fall, Year 2) | Japanese 3 |
| Semester 4 (Spring, Year 2) | Japanese 4 |
| Semester 5 (Fall, Year 3) | AP Japanese |
| Semester 6 (Spring, Year 3) | AP Japanese |
Student Advantages
- The accelerated program allows students to complete the traditional four-year high school Japanese program in three years.
- The time freed by the program gives students more options, including honors/AP/IB classes or dual enrollment in college courses.
- Students can work with university instructors in a small class setting.
Instructional Plan
- Students attend one class per week at their program location.
- Each class lasts 2.5 hours.
- Traditional high school curriculum is taught at an accelerated pace, requiring the student to learn to be motivated and self-guided outside of the classroom to complete substantial homework.
- There are regularly scheduled M.A.N.G.A. labs outside of school hours intended to strengthen a student’s understanding of program materials and concepts and to seek additional help as needed from program tutors.
- Students will be given an MSU account for the online course website to access M.A.N.G.A. coursework/homework which should be checked daily.
- Taught by a certified JLPT Level 1 Japanese Interpretor
Student Evaluations
- Progress in mastering subject matter is monitored regularly through graded weekly homework assignments, quizzes, and tests.
- Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled mid-semester to give parents an opportunity to communicate in-person with the teacher about their student’s progress.
- Progress Reports are made available to each student’s family after fall and spring conferences.
- Grade Reports are distributed to families and the student’s school at the end of each semester. These include details on progress in content, participation, and letter grades.
- Upon receipt of the grade report, your student’s school should record the credit and grades on the student’s high school transcript.
- Parents are welcome to contact the instructor at any time with questions or concerns.