We present a community-based research project aimed at identifying effective methods and materials for teaching English literacy skills to adult English as a second language emergent readers. We conducted a quasi-experimental study whereby we evaluated the efficacy of two approaches, one based on current practices at the English Skills Learning Center (ESLC), and the other involving a number of innovative methods and materials. In addition, we collected written reflections from the instructors in the study and conducted interviews with the students. The qualitative and quantitative data together suggest that while both approaches led to student gains, the one based on current practices led to greater student gains.