A study was conducted to improve the link between basic skill instruction and entry into various vocational training programs. Data were collected from the following sources: current professional literature; developers and publishers of adult basic education (ABE) instructional materials; consultations with experts in the fields of adult literacy, ABE, and vocational education; national and regional conferences on adult and vocational education; and field visits to numerous educational institutions and agencies that provide ABE and vocational training. A considerable quantity and variety of commercial and noncommercial ABE and English as a second language (ESL) instructional materials were found to be available; however, very few materials for ABE in the vocational education context were found. The 132 basic skills identified by the study and validated by a panel of experts is divided among five areas: reading, mathematics, writing, listening and speaking. It was concluded that basic skills instruction intended to prepare adults for entry into vocational programs should be individualized, use performance-based processes, be geared toward student success, use pre- and posttests, be relevant, review and reinforce the skills that are taught, and address individual student learning styles. Given the range of learning needs that ABE and ESL students present and the limited funds available for purchasing materials, it was concluded that materials selected for purchase should be practical, methodologically sound, relevant to vocational training, well written, well designed, and people oriented. (A section containing recommendations geared specifically toward practitioners, researchers, and policymakers concludes the guide.) (MN)