A descriptive analysis is presented of four New York area adult programs in English as a second language or English to speakers of other languages. The following characteristics of the programs are identified: student constituencies, program goals and objectives, methods of needs assessment, program design (formats and methods), classroom dynamics and program management. Information was obtained through interviews with program administrators and faculty, informal talks with students, classroom observations, and examination of program literature and course materials. The programs that were evaluated are as follows: the American Language Program at Columbia University, the American Language Institute at New York University, the English Language Center at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York, and the Economic Opportunity Center of Westchester under the auspices of Westchester Community College of the State University of New York. All of the programs had been in existence for at least three years, were noncredit, met at least for the equivalent of a college semester, and had sequentially organized series of courses within a prescribed curriculum. The similarities and differences among these programs are analyzed and a summary of tentative findings are presented. (SW)