Within the past few years transcultural learning has become one of the key terms in TEFL theory. Central concerns in current research include differentiating between inter- and transcultural learning, navigating processes of understanding otherness, and assessing cultural competences. Using these aspects this study investigates texts recommended for cultural learning and key components of implementing literature in ELT. The results call for a more holistic perception of alterity and argue in favour of transcultural literature as a basis for transcultural learning. All of this dissertation is in English. (Subjects: Literary Criticism, Education) Series: Fremdsprachendidaktik in globaler Perspecktive, Vol. 5]