The aim of this research was to explore English majors’ perceptions of the value of incorporating literature into language teaching, as well as the extent to which literature-based instruction contributes to a stimulating learning environment and the development of language skills. The study involved 43 university students in Vietnam who were enrolled in an English literature course. A qualitative design was employed, using in-depth interviews as the main data-collection tool. Findings revealed that most participants recognized literature as an important component in achieving English-learning objectives. The results also indicate that literary study positively affects students’ motivation and skill enhancement. Moreover, the students encountered several difficulties and adopted different strategies to improve their language proficiency throughout their literature coursework. Based on these outcomes, the study proposes several practical recommendations for teachers and learners to improve the quality of foreign language instruction in literature-based classrooms.