This guide is designed to help teachers plan and implement integrated, theme-based (ITB) instruction for adults. Chapter 1 provides an overview of integrated, thematic instruction. Chapter 2 discusses important assumptions about how adults learn. Chapter 3 provides a general discussion of differences among individuals in their approach to learning as well as context-based instruction and processes to use in implementing this approach to adult basic education/General Educational Development preparation. Its purpose is to provide a conceptual framework in which one can organize instructional planning and decision making. Chapter 4 describes specific process to use in selecting and planning theme units, including strategies to use to identify themes. Chapter 5 contains several sample theme units that illustrate how to plan and organize units around particular learner themes. Chapter 6 provides a more detailed description of specific instructional strategies that may be helpful in implementing a thematic approach to instruction. Chapter 7 provides an overview to assessing instruction and student learning within this approach and lists resource materials. Chapter 8 discusses ways to meet the challenges of ITB instruction. Three resources are appended: two approaches to defining competencies; curricular and instructional resources for implementing ITB instruction; and personal notes and reflections for teachers. Contains 70 references and an index. (YLB)