Adult illiterates encounter huge learning and participation barriers. Thus, literacy learning provisions must train the participants' basic cognitive abilities, reduce barriers whilst learning to read and at the same time take into account the participants' biographies and learning motivations. This anthology presents the results from more than 100 individual projects of the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) focus "Research and development regarding adult literacy and basic education" (2007 - 2012). At the centre there are projects for further development of professionalisation of teachers in literacy and basic education: from overcoming barriers and diagnoses to the evaluation of learning and teaching materials. The publication ends with an outlook on the professionalization development in literacy and basic education. The web site www.alphabund.de provides information about the research focus and presents the work of the individual projects.