As part of a larger study of instructional issues for English as a second language (ESL), current literature is reviewed and summarized in four major areas affecting the teaching and learning of ESL in grades K-12: ESL instructional approaches, patterns of curriculum organization, instructional materials, and language learning theories. In the first section, thirteen approaches are reviewed: the audiolingual method, the Silent Way, the counseling-learning or community language learning approach, suggestopedia, the language experience approach, the new concurrent approach, total physical response, the notional-functional syllabus, communicative approaches, strategic interaction, the natural approach, cognitive approaches, and content-based approaches. The second section examines three program-level organizational strategies (ESL within bilingual programs, ESL-only programs, and ESL immersion) and classroom-level organization. The section on instructional materials looks at elementary level, secondary level, and teacher-oriented materials. The language learning theories reviewed include the biological/neurological theory, cognitive theories, and socio-affective theories. References are provided for each subsection in the report. (MSE)