The idea of using the Emergency initially Response programme to teach English as a foreign language was initially offered at Gyeonggi English Village in Paju. The idea of using such a course to teach English language was put forward as a way to provide a quality English teaching programme that was congruent with GEV's teaching objectives while providing a mechanism for establishing financial feasibility of an overall first aid training programme at the Village as part of an overall initiative to promote first response and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training among both staff and students.

English Village hosted a pilot class of the EFL version of EFR for staff members in November 2008. The English proficiency of the personnel ranged from lower-intermediate (B1) to native speakers. 

Participants were expected to complete all course goals and criteria. The teacher created some additional teaching resources, such as a PowerPoint accompaniment and a few instructional games. Participants completed a survey that primarily addressed the class in the context of an EFL teaching instrument.

The EFR programme provides a structure that emphasises the importance of communication. It provides participants with a novel and engaging approach to practise English while learning practical skills and earning a recognised certification in CPR and/or First Aid. Participants in the programme are required to participate in scenario practise sessions, with the purpose of simulating real-life scenarios in the classroom. Finally, it provides a means to increase English literacy while simultaneously encouraging emergency preparation, a subject that everyone should have a basic understanding of. Those who have received first aid training frequently assist others and, in some cases, save lives. Given the potential benefits, a proposal was filed to Gyeonggi English Village (GEV) to develop both a staff training programme and a student programme to assist EFL teaching and practise. GEV approved the concept, and two pilot courses were funded. Several reports detailed the findings.