The role of English in the Soviet Union is discussed, with attention directed to: the characteristics and training of English teachers, the type and availability of instructional and related materials, educational administration in relation to English teaching, the development and planning of English instruction, English outside the educational system, British and American support for the teaching of English, current research in English linguistics, and sources of further information. It is noted that English is the most important foreign language in the country, but because of limited teaching time and inadequate materials and methods, the average student has very poor knowledge of it. University students have better instruction, and some specialists graduate with excellent command of English, although lack of contact with native speakers and conservative literature produces formal speech. While the study of literature is circumscribed by ideological considerations, great interest in contemporary works exists. Few native speakers of English are teachers in the Soviet Union; they are therefore a limited influence. (MSE)