This study compared differences in the classroom verbal behavior of 30 teachers in East Texas who taught both adult basic education (ABE) and public school classes. Each teacher was observed, by means of Flanders' System of Interaction Analysis, for 30 minutes in each teaching situation. Amounts of teacher talk and student talk were determined, as well as forms of direct and indirect influence. Significant differences were found between the two teaching situations in all interaction categories except lecturing. Several conclusions were drawn:(1) teachers tend to accept student feelings and ideas more readily, ask more questions, give more directions, use more criticism, and lecture slightly more, in public school than in ABE classes; (2) teachers involved in both types of classes used more praise, and tended to exert more direct influence, in the ABE classes; (3) more student talk seems to occur in ABE classes than in public school classes; (4) there is more silence or confusion in public school than in ABE classes. (The document includes 21 tables, 56 references, two charts, and miscellaneous correspondence.) (LY)