As part of the "National 'What Works' Evaluation for Adult ESL Students," a meeting of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy experts and stakeholders was convened (May 10, 1996) to examine what theory and practice have to say about how ESL students acquire literacy skills, prevalent instructional approaches and methods, assessment issues to be addressed, and key variables in adult ESL learning. The report first summarizes five main issues raised during the meeting: (1) a need for guidance to inform policy and practice; (2) a need to recognize that adult basic education and ESL are different, and ESL learning processes pose more problems; (3) identification of the goals and purposes of ESL; (4) characteristics of ESL learners that may affect learning; and (5) how the ESL instructional environment affects learning. It then lists the key variables seen as affecting second language learning and literacy development and potential by-products of the study for assessment and instruction. A list of presenters and attendees at the meeting is included. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education) (MSE)