This is a review of models of learning that focus on adults. It is wide-ranging, covering ideas from many fields about how adults learn. It aims to describe several models of adult learning for use in research and development in adult language, literacy and numeracy. Table of contents: Introduction Chapter 1 Models from psychology * Behaviourism * Cognitivism * Cognitive constructivism * Developmental theories * Activity theory and social constructivism * Situated cognition * Brain science Chapter 2 Models from adult education * Distinctive characteristics of adult learning * Humanistic psychology * Critiques of andragogy * Self-directed learning * Learning how to learn * Informal learning * Reflective and experiential models * Transformative learning * Postmodern perspectives Chapter 3 Models of learning in contexts of rapid change Chapter 4 Summary and conclusions.