The study discusses the dynamics English language instruction in the Philippine basic education curriculum. Although English enjoyed immense popularity as early as 1900s during the American entry to the country, its role in Philippine education has transformed gradually as the country undergoes political, social and economic reconstruction in the past decades. This paper analyzes the English instruction in secondary education in the framework of systems thinking. It discusses in detail how English instruction in the Philippines can be understood in the context of its role in education. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)