Mariko Kawaguchi

(She/Her)

kawaguc7@msu.edu
Wells B380

Senior Instructor

Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures

Biography

Mariko Kawaguchi is a Senior Instructor of Japanese in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University. She teaches Japanese language courses at all levels and occasionally teaches a course on Japanese businesses in Michigan.

Her research focuses on Japanese pedagogy, phonology, and technology-enhanced language learning, including virtual language exchange. She is committed to fostering inclusive, multicultural learning environments and to connecting Japanese language study with students’ diverse academic and professional interests.

Works

Publications & Presentations

Kawaguchi, M. (2024). Virtual home visit: Language exchange between Japanese learners in the U.S. and Japanese families. Presented at the International Conference on Japanese Language Education – North America, Madison, WI.

Imamura, A., Ryu, C., & Kawaguchi, M. (2022). Rethinking the online placement test for a college-level Japanese language program during the COVID-19 pandemic. In K. Sadeghi (Ed.), Technology-assisted language assessment in diverse contexts: Lessons from the transition to online testing during COVID-19 (pp. 228–242). Routledge.

Kawaguchi, M., & Ryu, C. (2021). English–Japanese virtual language exchange (VLE) in action. Presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Convention (online).

Suga, K., & Kawaguchi, M. (2020). Effects of focus on form through experiential learning and acquisition of the Japanese tense-aspect system. Presented at the Second Language Research Forum (SLRF), Nashville, TN.

Kawaguchi, M. (2017). Online lecture videos and quizzes as preparation for beginner Japanese classes. Presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Convention, Nashville, TN.

Kawaguchi, M. (2015). An online elementary business Japanese course for working professionals in Michigan. In J. Trace, T. Hudson, & J. D. Brown (Eds.), Developing courses in languages for specific purposes (pp. 143–166). University of Hawai‘i.

Kawaguchi, M. (2014). Designing an online Japanese–English intercultural community. Presented at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Convention, San Antonio, TX.

Kawaguchi, M. (2012). Effectiveness in teaching onomatopoeia through TV commercials. Proceedings of the 19th Princeton Japanese Pedagogy Forum, Princeton University.

Kawaguchi, M. (2009). Sound symbolism in naming in Japanese. Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of the Central Association of Teachers of Japanese, Michigan State University.

Service & Outreach

Business Japanese Bus Tour (2026)
https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2026/04/finding-each-other-across-the-water

Beauty Standards of Japan, featuring Miss Universe Japan Kaya Chakrabortty (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyIXLLl9CmA&t=2276s

Videogames for Learning Japanese in collaboration with the MSU Library (2025)
https://statenews.com/article/2025/03/game-developers-professors-present-benefits-of-gaming-for-language-learning

Science of Origami at the Michigan Science Festival (2023 & 2024)
https://lilac.msu.edu/news/japanese-students-teach-origami-at-the-science-festival/

Butterfly Garden Project with MSU AgeAlive (2023)
https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/03/butterfly-garden
https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/03/faculty-voice-envisioning-the-positivity-of-butterfly-art

Japanese Teachers’ Workshop at MSU with the Japanese Teachers Association of Michigan (2024-2026)

College of Arts & Letters News