Abstract: Based on the narrations of twenty-one contemporary distinguished English educators in China, it revealed that they developed their English language ability by means of reading lots of English literary works. The rationale behind this in English learning is that: (1) The colorful language and encyclopedic knowledge in literary works unfolds the linguistic context; (2) The variety of subjects in literary works intrigue the learners’ reading will and mobilize their cognitive ability, thus activating the intrinsic context; (3) Extensive reading, facilitated by pertinent writing, compensates for the lack of the extrinsic language environment. Driven by knowledge factors, sustained by affective and cognitive factors and targeted on the cultivation of language awareness and the increase of stamina in English learning, literary reading proves to be an effective way for the sustainable development of Chinese students’ English language ability.