Immigrant students with limited formal schooling have assumptions and experiences that are very different from those of their teachers. Our instructional model, the Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm (MALP) addresses the issues these students encounter by reducing cultural dissonance and transitioning them to formal schooling. We describe the implementation of MALP in community-based adult language and literacy programs and examine how this culturally responsive model encouraged participation, developed a sense of community, and reduced cultural dissonance.