A review of the status of English language instruction in Kuwait begins with an overview of the role of English in the society in general, and outlines the status of English use and instruction in the educational system in secondary, higher, vocational, adult, and teacher education. Also discussed are characteristics and training of English language instructors, the type and availability of instructional materials, educational administration and planning in relation to English teaching, English instruction outside the educational system, British support, commercial opportunities related to English instruction, language research, and other sources of information. It is concluded that there is a growing need for English language instruction in Kuwait, adequate financial resources are available, a well-established infrastructure exists to support English language instruction, and the language is of great importance in business, education, science, and technology and as a lingua franca. However, the feeling that Arabic must not be usurped as the national language may be responsible for a lack of clarity in the formulation of language training needs and objectives outside the educational system. There also exists a prevailing attitude that language study is an academic exercise rather than training in a skill, and financial constraints are placed on specially designed ELT programs, with resources going for cheaper, usually inferior, language training. (MSE)