The profile of native language literacy instruction for adults looks at a variety of trends and issues in the design and improvement of such programs. The first section discusses what has been learned in the last few years about the kinds of instruction offered, including basic program characteristics and models for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Six programs are described in this section. The second section focuses on the rationale for offering native language literacy instruction to adults, examining sociopolitical, linguistic, sociocultural, and sociocontextual reasons and the importance of literacy for content learning. The third section highlights key areas in which even limited investment of resources can bring program improvement. These areas include demonstration projects, development of a common data bank, and staff development activities. Finally a research agenda is outlined. Research areas of particular interest include transfer of native language literacy knowledge and skills to a second language, collaborative program-based research, language use in communities and classrooms, teacher inquiry and action research, longitudinal studies, and surveys. Contains 75 references. (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)