This digest discusses some of the ways basic skills instructors can help students become real learners. The digest argues that the "learning specialist" (a term preferable to "remedial/developmental" reading specialist) should operate from a philosophical perspective stressing strategic approaches to reading-to-learn as driven by the cognitive sciences and recent research in reading pedagogy rather than from a deficit model drawn form the diagnostic-compensatory movement. The digest discusses: (1) implementing a course simulation model; (2) using undergraduate teaching assistants; (3) using high utility strategies for immediate acceptance; (4) promoting students' planning skills; (5) reconceptualizing vocabulary development; (6) training students to use strategies; and (7) using writing to develop reading comprehension and critical thinking. (RS)