In the Egyptian school system, English is required of all students beginning in the seventh year of study. However, few master the language well enough to handle it at the university level, where it is the medium of instruction in all subject areas. At the secondary level, students are highly motivated in sciences and mathematics, since their examination scores in these subjects will largely determine their academic future, but they can see no immediate reason for a diligent study of English or of any other foreign language. An entirely different approach to the study and use of English should be taken. English should not be required but should be optional, resulting in a smaller program of higher quality with motivated students. Motivation could be improved by training teachers in such concepts as Service English, English for Special purposes, and English as a Library Language. Arabic should then replace English as the language of instruction in the universities, but students who choose to do so should be able to study English for a specific purpose. These changes would increase motivation for the study of English and would eliminate the problem of many students who have found their advanced work to be dependent on their English proficiency. (PM)