After an introduction to the use of the whole language approach in adult literacy instruction, this paper describes some techniques or activities used in two adult literacy programs in Vancouver with participants who speak English as a first and as a second language. The Municipal Workplace Literacy Program, operated by the City of Vancouver (British Columbia), is a voluntary and confidential 80-hour program that offers one-half paid release time and serves mostly non-professionals. The Little Mountain Neighbourhood House/Vancouver School Board Tutor Training and Practicum Centre program serves recent immigrants, mostly of Chinese origin but also Indian, Central and South American, Polish, and Russian. Approximately half of the participants have university degrees from their countries of origin; the other half have had little or no formal schooling. Both programs use many whole language techniques, including shared reading, transcribed text, sustained silent reading, language experience, and interactive writing for adult literacy learners. Two additional strategies are used as well: an affirmation strategy that has come to be called "Affirmation: The Immigrant's Two Lives and the Cycle of Grief," and a strategy borrowed from the work of novelist Milan Kundera that involves the use of an existential code that inspires and guides the writing. The affirmation strategy uses simple drawings, gestures, translation, and some English to describe the learner's work, relationships, language and cultural connections, education, interests, etc. During the first 20 months of the program, only 2 of the 120 participants dropped out. Contains 17 references. (LB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)