I've taught a lot of beginners to hand piece.
Most of them have not been in a formal class, but 1 on 1 so, I find out if they have ever sewn at all before, if not I cover fabric basics, Equipment basics, etc. I never really did a lot with color, because I'm a bit of a "color rebel" and encouraged them to buy something they like for a first project. Tons of info on color and that can get pretty in depth for a beginner. I never teach knot tying, as I don't use knots in hand piecing. ever done any hand quilting and hit a knot? it's a booger.. I teach backstitching. I do teach beginning piecers to mark all of their seams and cut with scissors. To me those are the basics, and usually it's a smaller project in a basic class. And after marking seams and "seeing" a quarter of an inch enough, it helps train their eye. also makes the beginning project more accurate and satisfying.