One of the teaching methods introduced in the Meiji era was the “Kaihatsu Kyoju Ho” methodology for developing the five senses. Hideo Takamine, as Head of Tokyo Teacher's School (Tokyo Shihan Gakko), contributed a lot to the introduction and promotion of the method. By examining the essay about class activity and the teacher's manual, this paper discusses how Hideo Takamine applied “Kaihatsu Kyoju Ho” to English teaching methodology.
The characteristics of “Kaihatsu Kyoju Ho” can be seen in the following three principles.
(1) Teaching inductively
(2) Teaching from the known to the unknown
(3) Using objects
Takamine stressed the importance of using objects in his class of English Teaching at Tokyo Teacher's School. The teacher's manual (kyoju saimoku) was compiled based on the three principles stated above. However, Takamine's methodology was not simply an application of “Kaihatsu Kyoju Ho.” It also consisted of procedures and content that was uniquely intended for Japanese learners. For example, lists of words and phrases which were difficult for Japanese learners to pronounce were included. He suggested that different skills such as reading and writing be taught with integration. Takamine's methodology was unique in the sense that he applied “Kaihatsu Kyoju Ho” to English Teaching and that it was intended for Japanese learners of English.
