Joyce begins an Adult Literacy class. Her pupils are Thelma, a nanny, and George who is living in a hostel. Their classes, held in a nursery classroom, are interrupted by Kevin, the caretaker, who is illiterate himself. 

Act II sees the class three months later. George is making good progress and now living in the Wendy House while Thelma is concerned over her inability to read Janet and John. Things come to a head on Joyce's birthday and culminate in Kevin's heartrending plea: "Teach me to read."