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The English Teacher is a 1945 novel written by R.K.Narayan. This is the third & final part in the series which was preceded by Swami and Friends (1935) and The Bachelor of Arts (1937).

This novel, dedicated to Narayan's wife Rajam is not only autobiographical but also poignant in its intensity of feeling. The story is a series of experiences in the life of Krishna, an English teacher, and his quest towards achieving inner peace and self-development (Iranga Fernando, www.wmich.edu/dialogues/texts/englishteacher).

Krishna is an English lecturer at the Albert Mission College. For several years he has enjoyed a bachelor's life, but this changes when his wife, Susila, and their child, Leela, move in with him. Krishna's life expands to include the happy domesticity of living with his wife and child: nearly half the novel focuses on the mundane joy of his day-to-day experiences with his family. However, one day Susila contracts typhoid after visiting a dirty lavatory and dies from the illness. Krishna is destroyed by his loss but receives a letter from a stranger indicating that Susila has been in contact with him and wishes to communicate with Krishna.

The synopsis at the back of 'The English Teacher' by Indian Thought Publications say, "Never has the magical storyteller of imaginary Malgudi woven tragedy and humour so deftly together."

A paperback edition was issued in Chicago by the University of Chicago Press in 1980 with ISBN 0-226-56835-0. Many other editions have been issued in other countries by several other publishers. It was published in the US as Grateful to Life and Death in 1953 by The Michigan State College Press.

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