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MSU GATE MANGA : Japanese Language (Michigan’s Accelerated NihonGo for Americans)

Course 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 beginning 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, or the JLPT (Japanese Language Placement Test) exam. Students interested in taking the AP Japanese exam should contact their school counselor prior to the start of semester 5.

Please note: Many districts do not offer an AP Japanese exam. Please check with your school in advance of year 3 about whether or not you can take the AP Japanese exam though them. Students will primarily be taught the JLPT curriculum, unless they indicate they are taking the AP exam.


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.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): MSU GATE MANGA : Japanese Language (Michigan’s Accelerated NihonGo for Americans)
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Japanese I
Course Provider : Michigan State University Office of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Content Provided By : Michigan State University Office of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan State University Office of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Standards Addressed :
Academic Terms : Accelerated
NCES SCED Code : 24452
Subject Area : World Language
Course Identifier : Japanese I
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 4.0
Sequence : 1 of 6

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://gateway.gifted.msu.edu
Email : [email protected]
Phone : 517-432-2129

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost: $200.0

Additional Cost Description:

Program materials and texts

M.A.N.G.A. Schedule

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/JLPT Japanese

Semester 6 (Spring, Year 3) AP/JLPT Japanese

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses: Third Edition (2019)

Rating Comments
A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course Fully Met
A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* Fully Met
A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. Fully Met
A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met
A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* Fully Met
A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met
A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* Fully Met
A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. Fully Met

Rating Comments
B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* Fully Met
B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. Fully Met
B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* Fully Met
B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* Fully Met
B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* Fully Met
B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* Fully Met
B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. Fully Met
B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* Fully Met
B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met
B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met
C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Fully Met
C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Fully Met
C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* Fully Met
C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met
C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met
C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Fully Met
C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* Fully Met
C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Fully Met
D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. Fully Met
D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* Fully Met
D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* Fully Met
D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* Fully Met
E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* Fully Met
E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* Fully Met
E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* Fully Met
E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. Fully Met
F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* Fully Met
F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* Fully Met
F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* Fully Met
F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. Fully Met
G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met

Review Conducted By: Michigan State University Office of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Date of Review: 12/18/2024

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 Interpreter

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.


Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Accelerated 03/30/2026 09/04/2026 08/31/2026 12/13/2026 250 $2,349 $200
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students are expected to complete the entirety of the program. However, students may drop at any time with no refund. Students must maintain a B- or above to continue in the program. Tuition is not refundable for any reason. Accelerated 03/30/2026 09/04/2026
https://gifted.msu.edu/programs/academic-year-programs/m-a-n-g-a-japanese

Online courses and study labs require the following:


https://gifted.msu.edu/programs/technology-requirements