Abstract
The following paper re-examines the place of literature in Asian EFL contexts. Critiquing standard approaches for teaching literature to English learners in Japanese university settings, the author proposes an alternate pedagogical framework for ELT practitioners in Asia based on an interculturalist perspective. Rather than English language acquisition serving as the only goal of instruction with literature, it is suggested that the concept of intercultural competence can also act as an educational aim. Using excerpts from English-language literary works from around the world, the paper describes specific teaching techniques that can improve students' English abilities while simultaneously enhancing their cross-cultural skills and contributing to their personal growth.

Keywords: cross-cultural communication, ELT, intercultural competence, literature teaching, world literatures