Lida Torki - English Department, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran

This paper addresses the issue of the Impact of Literature including short story on the Improvement of Reading Abilities of Iranian Non-major Students learning English as a foreign Language. Reading is the fundamental skill upon which all formal education depends. Part of teaching reading is motivating the learners to practice, practice and practice. For a long time language teachers have been trying to motivate their students in class activities and help them to increase their English reading proficiency. 041 students studied in Ardabil Islamic Azad University were selected. They were assigned into two groups: Experimental group and Control group. The experimental group received a three-month instruction in which some interesting short stories were taught. The control group, on the other hand, received the ordinary materials during the same period of time. At the end both groups were given a general proficiency test. The results of the second proficiency test indicated that the number of the average students in E.G. was 41 whereas in group C.G. it was 01. The number of excellent students in C. G. was 01 whereas in E. G. it was 01. The number of poor students in C. G. was 01 whereas the number of poor students in E. G. was 01. This finding signified that the literature-Based program including short story had improved the students’ English Reading proficiency.

Literature, Reading Abilities, Foreign Language