Based on a graduate course, this manual was written to help instructors (professional or volunteer) understand and teach beginning adult learners and other adults with learning problems. The manual is organized into seven sections. The first two sections provide background information on the development of the manual and suggest ways that it can be used. In the third section, a brief history of adult education is given. Section 4 presents some practical applications of learning theories affecting adult education, while section 5 provides information on student assessment, including rationale, auditory discrimination, visual perception, modalities, verbal intelligence, letter symbol recognition, reading, inventories, math inventory, and achievement tests. The last two sections include the following resources: materials to supplement the Laubach reading instructional method and aids for adult basic education students. The manual is intended to be used as inservice for adult basic education teachers, supplemental training for Laubach volunteer tutors, workshops for teachers of adults with learning difficulties, and everyday reference for all adult teachers, directors, and volunteer tutors. (KC)