A curriculum is presented as part of a plan for improvinq English language instruction in secondary schools in Nigeria. The current status of English in Nigeria is viewed as ambiguous: the importance of English as a lingua franca and official language is contrasted with the neglect of English instruction and the failure to upgrade language instruction in general, among a great portion of the population. A proposed learning-theory-based plan for English instruction takes as its target the secondary school system of Lagos state. Five levels of English instruction are dealt with. Course objectives, classroom teaching techniques, suggested materials, and evaluation methods are detailed for each level. The program is divided into four skills components: parts of speech, listening and speaking, reading, and writing. (JB)