In the course "Designs for English," high school students, working individually and in small groups, practice basic English skills as they explore universal themes. The course is built around 15 units that deal with a wide range of topics, including conflict resolution, communication, values, identity, and love. This paper describes how the course was developed by a team of three teachers, tells how it is organized, and discusses the way in which the course units help students to attain the seven course objectives: learning more about themselves, broadening their understanding of people and relationships, examining abstract concepts in an attempt to develop philosophies of life, examining their own values and those of others, gaining a sense of responsibility, developing tools to deal with the world more effectively, and learning the value of becoming lifelong readers. (GW)