Using the principles of Japanese philosophy to improve the quality of our teaching

Michael Rost
students sitting outside on a wall together looking at a laptop together
Reading time: 5 minutes

Learning a new language opens doors to unique ways of thinking and feeling, deeply rooted in culture. As teachers, we have the privilege of guiding learners to these insights, helping them broaden their worldview.

When I first moved to Japan, I was struck by concepts like wa (和, social harmony), enryo (遠慮, restraint out of respect) and gaman (我慢, patient endurance). Discovering these ideas was energizing and made learning Japanese feel like more than just mastering a new language – it was about embracing a vibrant culture.

I soon found that many expats shared similar experiences. In my first year teaching in Japan, over 40 years ago, I met Marc Helgesen at one of the first JALT meetings. We connected over our shared interest in developing a revolutionary approach to language teaching in Japan – a kind of kakushin (革新), or innovation, that challenged the status quo.

Our collaboration led to many teaching experiments and, eventually, the publication of English Firsthand as a single-level course in 1985.

Reflecting on the evolution of English Firsthand, now a four-level series in its fifth edition, I see that Marc and I were guided by enduring educational principles. One is kaizen (改善), the idea of continuous, incremental improvement. Another is kenkyosa (謙虚), humility – recognizing there is always more to learn.
You might wonder what “continuous improvement” looked like across 40 years of English Firsthand. When Marc passed away in early 2025, I decided to honor him by writing a narrative about the series’ development, which became a free e-book for teachers and was presented at JALT 2025 in Tokyo.

Read the e-book

For each edition, we focused on amplifying a central pillar of effective teaching:

First Edition: Enjoyment

We emphasized that joy – micro-pleasures, curiosity and positive affect – is essential for deep learning.

Focal Activities:

  • Easy warm-ups
  • “Positivity priming” and clear preparation for communication tasks
  • Micro-stories about real people
  • Careful task design for success

Second Language Acquisition (SLA) concept links: Gamification, individualization, pair work, humor, creativity

Second Edition: Engagement

This pillar highlights group acceptance, attention and emotional investment.

Focal Activities:

  • Personalized pair work
  • Choice of topics in group tasks
  • Emotional hooks to spark interest
  • Drama, movement, sensory experiences

SLA concept links: Intrinsic motivation, flow, engagement vs. resistance, meaningful noticing, reflection

Third Edition: Expression

We encouraged learners to explore and express their ideas and experiences, with an added focus on active listening.

Focal Activities:

  • Communicative tasks, info and experience gaps
  • Story circles, task recycling
  • Communication strategy instruction
  • Opinion sharing, mini-presentations, audience response

SLA links: Opportunities for output, noticing communication gaps, task repetition, active listening for negotiation of meaning

Fourth Edition: Elaboration

This edition focused on effective language learning through skill building, deliberate practice, assessment and reflection.

Focal Activities:

  • Reflection steps in activities
  • Skill assessments
  • Inclusion of reading and writing
  • Follow-up tasks

SLA links: Scaffolding, “forced output”, noticing

Fifth Edition: Embodiment

In this edition, we integrated physical action, sensory experience, cultural immersion and emotional involvement, aiming for learners to feel like authentic users of their second language.

Focal Activities:

  • Multi-modal tasks (listening, reading, movement)
  • Voice training (shadowing)
  • Sensory experiences (posture, gesture, visualization, self-talk)
  • Real-world communication tasks (journaling)
  • Extended projects (personal goal orientation)

SLA links: Social learning, goal orientation, immersion

Throughout the series, these pillars have always been present, but each edition renewed focus on one in particular, extending our teaching methodology. As Marc often said, there’s no point in a new edition unless we’re trying something new – unless we’re shaking things up and aiming to revolutionize language teaching and learning.

Channeling Marc’s philosophy and his experience in Japan, I propose that English Firsthand offers a Japanese-inspired, five-pronged approach to language learning.

Graphic by Michael Rost, Series Editor of English Firsthand

Teachers’ perspectives on the 5 E’s approach

Many teachers attended my JALT 2025 presentation and received the free e-book. Those who contributed to the book expressed gratitude for the tribute to Marc and the tracing of his ideas. Others appreciated a fuller depiction of the series’ development. As the series editor and Marc’s lifelong colleague and friend, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with Marc and help develop his Firsthand approach to teaching.

Read the e-book

Read our blog posts 'Japan’s English education evolves with international standards' and 'How to support weaker learners remotely in language classes'.

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