First year pupils at institutions for basic adult education have been questioned about their skills, competence with respect to various aspects of social intercourse Motive to participate in course / command of the Dutch and English language / figuring and social skill / wish to improve knowledge and skill / for each subject of the course, pupils have been judged by their teachers.Background variables: basic characteristics/ place of birth/ residence/ household characteristics/ characteristics of parental family/household/ occupation/employment/ education