The rationale for teaching short fiction to high intermediate and advanced English as a second language (ESL) students is discussed. The main use of short fiction in the ESL or bilingual class is as a decoding tool. Any reading function is peripheral. Short fiction, including non-fiction narratives, can provide a supplement to the regular curriculum. Its use fulfills the student goals of self-correction and self-mastery of advanced points, organization of supporting materials, vocabulary expertise, deeper immersion into and understanding of cultural givens embedded in the target language, and development of the student's voice. The teacher's task is to arrange for the students themselves to see into the fiction and to enable the students to transfer understanding gleaned from the stories to their work in the target areas. Studying fiction offers the collateral benefit of providing an opportunity for students to express feelings in English. For someone developing English language skills, it is a safe experiment and a healthy outlet. (RW)