A pilot study involving 55 Canadian university students demonstrated the value of administering an attitude inventory and a needs assessment instrument to adult students before attempting to teach them basic literacy skills. In addition to designing and piloting the two instruments, the purposes of the study included comparing expressed attitudes and habits with perceived behavior and deficiencies; analyzing different responses on the basis of age, sex, academic training, and major teaching area; and providing aid to the teacher in modifying materials, teaching techniques, and learning environments. The pilot study was effective in producing usable data as well as in suggesting refinements and clarified the differences between the characteristics of the adult learner and the child. (The two instruments developed for the study are appended.) (AEA)