An overview of the salient issues in adult English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) literacy is presented as reported in the literature on adult education and applied linguistics. Emphasis is on programs that have implemented promising practices and effective approaches to help ESL students develop their literacy skills. Characteristics of effective adult ESL literacy programs are first outlined, and then several major themes are discussed, including: theoretical bases for different views of curriculum; varying approaches to literacy development in a second language; and assessment issues such as providing meaningful evidence of student progress both to funding sources and to students and teachers. The issue of teaching native language literacy to support the learning of English is also discussed, with emphasis on biliteracy and Spanish language literacy. Several promising practices are outlined, including using the language experience approach with ESL literacy students, and developing techniques for dealing with the multi-level classroom composed of literacy students with varied exposure to print. Lists of teacher resources are provided that include textbooks, ESL literacy guides and manuals, and other resources such as authentic materials. Contains approximately 300 references. (LB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)