The Skills for Life strategy in England has directed much attention towards developing professional practice for teaching basic skills to adults. How did this practice begin and who was involved in its creation? Which practices have survived from the early days and how have they affected the field as it is today? This book examines the key moments in the history of adult literacy, numeracy and language, identifying the levers of change. This book provides the context and critical history to guide practitioners who are working towards their national qualifications and researchers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of their professional practice. Table of contents: * A sense of history * Situating ourselves in the field: a reflective methodology * Top down or bottom up? The search for policy action * The learners * The practitioners * The policy actors * Spaces and places * Curriculum and method in a student-centred field * Mapping and tracking: assessment and accreditation * Getting the message across: publicity and recruitment * Conclusion: making changes * Timelines of development in adult literacy policy and practice.