This article compares the curriculum of English language teaching in the Department of Economics of Gakushuin University with the curricula of four major private universities in Tokyo:Sophia University, Aoyama Gakuin University, Keio Gijuku University and Waseda University. One major difference is that the Department of Economics of Gakushuin University language classes are elective courses while those of the other four are required. Moreover, students take fewer English credits at Gakushuin than students at the other universities. Keio Gijuku’s programme is unique in that it follows a semester system, offering intensive classes such as“Study Skills”and“English seminars”rather than the traditional skill-based“Reading”and“Communication” classes found at the other four universities. In this article, the author proposes some curriculum changes to improve English language education at Gakushuin University.