Literature can help enhance an English as a Second Language (ESL) reader's knowledge of language rules and his ability to communicate effectively. While the culture presented in English literary texts may be unfamiliar to ESL students, reading texts from other cultures can encourage "a greater tolerance for cultural differences," according to "TESOL Quarterly."

Choose texts at an appropriate vocabulary level. Some classics, such as novels by Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare, are available in simplified ESL versions. Books intended for younger ages contain simpler vocabulary and themes. Avoid books with too much slang, colloquialisms or regional dialects.

Introduce students to the story before reading. Provide some background to the story, in particular any cultural differences. Students might have a hard time understanding the major conflict in the story, if it is something that would normally not be an issue in their home country.

Teach students how to learn vocabulary by considering its context (the sentences around it). Have students practice using vocabulary words in their own sentences in a journal or notebook.

Quiz students on events and details in the story to test their reading comprehension and ensure they are not falling behind or are unable to follow along.

Discuss the story as a class, or one-on-one if you are tutoring an ESL student. This forces students to use vocabulary from the story in their speaking. Draw attention to the story's dialogue and ask students to identify when characters are being polite, for instance when they are ordering food in a restaurant, or when they are speaking less reservedly, for example, when they are with friends. Ask them to compare scenes from the story to situations they have been in since they came to the U.S. and decide whether the story accurately depicts American life as they have experienced it.

Assign personal responses in the form of regular journal entries or a final essay or book report, depending on their level, that encourage them to look deeper at the story and engage their critical thinking skills.