Increasingly, urban and rural centers in Canada are receiving immigrants and refugees from countries affected by war. While it is important not to pathologize the effects that war and other catastrophes may have on individuals, it is also vital not to underestimate their impact on the ability of individuals to adjust to life in a new society. The challenges of resettlement cannot be separated from literacy and language development. Literacy includes numeracy, problem solving, and the ability to read, write, and speak in English, of course. But it also involves emotional and social literacies such as motivation, interpersonal effectiveness, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. In the author's own qualitative study of literacy learning among adults, she focused on the experiences and challenges of eight adult learners from countries affected by war. Through in-depth interviews, biographies, and narrative inquiries, this study explored adult learners' experiences in their homelands, their personal challenges, and their educational experiences since arriving in Canada. She also interviewed ten literacy educators who work with youth and adults from these countries and asked them to write about their experiences. The ESL teachers addressed the new challenges they face when working with adult refugee students. (Contains 17 notes.)