Programs | Kanda | KGU | Shimane | Set-up a Program
In collaboration with the University of Shimane in Japan, the Monterey Institute has been offering a 4-week intensive English program focused on community interaction and American culture studies. Students in the program participate in intensive language and culture-focused classes 6 hours per day and stay with local host families in order to gain an even better understanding of American culture first-hand.
The program is based on the following communicative curriculum:
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M |
T |
W |
Th |
F |
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Current Events |
Photojournal Project |
Current Events |
Photojournal Project |
Current Events |
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Practical Language Use |
Panel Discussion |
Practical Language Use |
Panel Discussion |
Practical Language
Use |
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LUNCH |
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Intro to US Culture |
Community Exploration |
Intro to US Culture |
Community Exploration |
Intro to US Culture |
Intro to US Culture In this course, you will reflect on your experience in United States in a variety of ways. You will identify cultural similarities and differences between Japan and the US, and discuss cross-cultural issues. You will examine your homestay experience, and the preexisting beliefs that you had about American life. In all of these activities, you will be developing your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English.
Photojournal Project Through the medium of photojournalism, you will explore one American community and its culture. As a group, you will create a document - "A Month in the Life of Monterey - Shimane Style." The final project will be presented on the final day of the program to showcase your talents to your instructors and your host families.
Current Events Content Course This class will focus on recent political and social issues that affect the US and its relationship with the world. You will use different forms of media such as newspapers, magazines, TV, and the Internet to collect information that will give you a broad view of current events, and then bring that information to class through group presentations, discussions or projects.
Practical Language Use Communicating in a foreign language can be a challenge. In this class you will work on the basic skills you need to communicate with people you meet in the community (host family, waiters, cashiers, etc.). By looking at different situations and the language that is used, this class will help you develop the vocabulary and communicative skills necessary to communicate effectively during your stay in Monterey.
Community Exploration This course will provide you with the opportunity to observe and interact with Americans in an employee or volunteer setting. Program coordinators will set up weekly visits to various community organizations, and will require you to ask questions and reflect in writing on the visits. This course will provide an authentic context for you to use the skills gained in your other Joint Summer Program courses.
Panel Discussion: An American Life Forum In this course, you will first prepare for, then listen to, and finally reflect on presentations given by panels that are topically related to a particular aspect of American life and culture. This class will not only allow you to learn about different parts of American life and culture, but will also develop your listening comprehension and vocabulary skills.
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