BACKGROUND Practical procedures are central to many general practitioners' job satisfaction and their ability to provide comprehensive care. Despite this, students lack opportunities to learn skills and fewer GPs perform them. OBJECTIVE This article develops a framework for teaching practical skills and their assessment in general practice. CONCLUSIONS True competence means more than performing a task in isolation: knowledge, skills and attitudes are needed to perform in the workplace. Teaching should be closely related to assessment in general practice. A four stage method of instruction can facilitate learning of task skills. This should be followed by a series of case discussions, scenarios or simulations to teach and assess the learners' ability to manage tasks in the work environment. Linking teaching, assessment and feedback is integral to improving learning opportunities in general practice.