Stories help us understand our own lives and the lives of others. The short story form is a unique learning tool for ESL students. Short stories deal with topics that are familiar to every person. Also, short stories are short, often just one or two pages, and therefore can be read, understood, and appreciated in one sitting. The aims of this course are to read, talk about and write about international short fiction. Along the way, we will attempt to develop some standards by which the stories may be judged and their distinctive power and beauty compared.