This is a practical guide to teaching learners who have just begun to read and write in English. Aimed at both practising ESOL teachers and trainee teachers. The theory is explained in a clear and accessible way. Practical teaching suggestions are given including where to start, models of reading and writing acquisition, approaches to teaching reading and writing, and learning styles. Table of contents: * Introduction (who is this book for?) * What is basic literacy and how to approach it? (terminology, who are the basic literacy learners, ESOL and literacy in the UK since the late 60s - ideologies and teaching approaches, our approach) * Where do I start? (language experience, what's in a name, what do I do next - reading and writing activities with whole groups) * Reading (the reading process, useful theoretical frameworks, teaching reading to adult beginner readers of English) * Writing (the writing process, useful theoretical frameworks, teaching writing to adult beginner readers writer of English) * Learning styles (what are learning styles, the Dunn and Dunn model, learning styles and teaching basic literacy) Professional developers and trainers may also wish to use this resource in conjunction with: 2.1 SPI 2001A and 2.1 SPI 2001B (Teaching basic literacy to ESOL learners - video 1 and 2) - videos illustrating classroom strategies for teaching with whole texts, developing word level skills and the language experience. Also read: 2.1 SPI 2001 (Teaching basic literacy to ESOL learners. A training course for ESOL practitioners). Click on the Series link to locate these resources.