Meet Sasha Takahashi

We recently connected with Sasha Takahashi and have shared our conversation below.

Sasha , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I was born and raised in Japan, and I moved to the United States at the age of 18. Up until then, Japan was all I knew. Studying English became a key that opened up my world. With English as a common language, I was able to communicate with people from different backgrounds and learn things I had never known. It felt as though I had stepped into an entirely new world.

When you move to a different country, the rules, customs, and ways of thinking are naturally very different. Before learning English, I believed that people around the world shared the same values and rules as Japan. In fact, I was unaware of my own assumptions and how deeply rooted they were. Learning English not only helped me communicate, but it also gave me the opportunity to reflect on myself as a Japanese person and think more deeply about my own culture and country.

Through English, I was able to better understand American culture and ways of thinking, but it took me a considerable amount of time to get there. At first, I thought that studying the English language alone would be enough to succeed, but I came to realize that understanding the cultural and historical background plays a significant role in learning the language. Grasping this deeper context allowed me to improve my English skills while helping me adapt to American life more naturally.

I believe my experiences can be valuable to those who are planning to move to the United States or are just beginning their journey here. Having an understanding of the “bigger picture” before starting a new life in a different country can make a significant difference in one’s ability to settle and thrive.

This realization inspired me to start sharing my personal experiences and helping others as an English coach. My goal is to guide and support people in learning English while also helping them adapt to and embrace their new lives in the United States.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

In December 2015, I registered Online English Learning as a company in the United States and launched English Jam, an online English school. At the time of its opening, our mission was to help students in Japan experience authentic English while remaining in their home country.

One day, I had the opportunity to speak with the wife of a family on an overseas work assignment in the United States. She shared her struggles, saying, “I want to study English, but I have no connections or access to good resources,” and “I don’t understand how to manage life in America, and it’s so hard every day.” Her words reflected a deep sense of frustration, and they resonated strongly with my own experiences during my early days in the United States.

That conversation became a turning point, and I immediately launched classes specifically tailored to families on overseas assignments. These classes not only focused on English lessons but also provided guidance on how to effectively study English and practical support for navigating life in America. The ability to *“ask questions and seek advice about life in America in Japanese”* was a service that had been surprisingly unavailable until then. Word of this offering quickly spread through social media and word of mouth.

Today, English Jam is proud to have a growing community of students and graduates across the United States. I firmly believe that this initiative provides a smoother transition for families adjusting to a new country while giving them the tools and confidence to learn, grow, and thrive.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three things I value most are as follows:

1. The ability to assess the situation
This is the skill to accurately understand the current state of things and calmly organize what is happening. Without understanding the situation, it is impossible to identify the core issue or respond appropriately.

2. The ability to identify problems
Once the situation is fully grasped, it is important to pinpoint what the challenges or issues are. Clearly identifying the problem is key to finding concrete solutions.

3. The ability to develop solutions
Based on the identified problems, this is the ability to think flexibly about how to improve or proceed, and to come up with actionable solutions.

These three skills are universal and essential in any situation or field, and I always keep them in mind when solving problems in both my professional and personal life.

While these may seem like fundamental skills that everyone knows, consistently practicing them is not always easy. I make a conscious effort to live with these three principles in mind every day.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

It is my husband who has been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills and knowledge I needed to succeed. When I first started my online school, the income was very limited. However, he always encouraged me by saying, “Don’t worry about the living expenses; my salary can cover them. Just go ahead and give it your all.”

He has always been there to cheer me on, especially during difficult times, offering both encouragement and support. He has also helped me reflect on what truly matters to me, guiding me to stay focused on my goals and facilitating my personal growth.

I firmly believe that I could not have achieved what I have today without his support, and I am deeply grateful for everything he has done for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://englishjam.jp
• Instagram: englishjam.la
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JapaneseJam