This inquiry into the role of literature in English as a second language is based upon an examination of six basic issues or principles: (1) the position of English as a foreign language within a country; (2) the aims of English instruction within a country; (3) the way in which the native literature is taught in a country; (4) the availability of English literature translations; (5) the particular nature of the English vocabulary and the well-established facts of word frequency and distribution; and (6) the role of literature in transmitting the target culture. Individual chapters are devoted to such topics as the role of English in the nation and in the schools; teaching the native literature; the teaching of literature in foreign language classes; factors influencing the teaching of literature in the foreign language curriculum including availability of translations, the cultural component in the literary curriculum, the vocabulary problem, and abridged texts; and what literature to teach. References are included in the text. (EJS)