These guidelines serve as an introduction to a set of eight course curricula in the VESL (Vocational English as a Second Language) program. This document introduces the reader to the VESL concept; multi-cultural, competency-based materials of VESL (sequential modules, translated lexicons, grammatical structure for modules, punctuation and vocabulary, technical idioms, translated introductions); and how VESL can be used in prevocational and/or vocational classroom/shop programs. Discussed are sound and writing systems of Southeast Asian languages, Spanish, and English; literacy vs. illiteracy; VESL needs of the students; basic mathematical skills; basic U.S. monetary system; metric and U.S. systems of weights and measures; regional and personal dialects of English; VESL support materials and activities; slide shows for orientation; ongoing visual aids; industrial visits; general guidelines for successful teaching in a VESL program; teaching styles; and overview of concurrent VESL and vocational training. Appended materials include a listing of phonemes of English, a punctuation style list, and a bibliography. (CT)