Adult basic education (ABE) and literacy programs have used many different strategies and tools to recruit new students. A small sampling of Tennessee ABE programs shows the more effective recruitment strategies are word-of-mouth referrals; newspaper advertisements and articles; fliers; brochures; posters, radio messages, and public service announcements; and outdoor signs and billboards. Other issues that influence recruitment of adult learners are motivation (including oblivious, uninvolved, resistant, focused, eclectic, and comprehensive motivations); relevance; age-related issues; and sources of referrals, especially from ABE program partners. The best method for recruiting adult learners that do not currently participate in ABE and literacy programs is probably a multiple strategy approach that uses several techniques simultaneously. Identifying a clear target market of adults whom one wishes to recruit is essential to prepare the proper materials for the recruitment process and to train individuals who are recruiters for the program. Studies, research, and practical experience make apparent that the most effective techniques tend to be those that use direct, face-to-face (personal) contacts with potential adult students and describe valuable program services that clearly meet the needs of the adult learner. (Contains 28 references.) (YLB)