This volume is one of the four readers compiled as part of the course Language and Literacy (Code E825) which is one module of the (UK) Open University MA in Education programme. Its content reflects an important shift over recent years within the field of language and literacy studies. This has involved a move away from thinking about language and literacy in terms of skills and competence towards investigating their role as part of social practice. The key articles and accounts of recent research collected together in this volume introduce some major ideas and issues underlying this new approach. There is a particular emphasis in the collection on anthropological studies, which have been a significant influence in the development of more socially and culturally sensitive theories and explanations. Articles written from linguistic, historical and sociological perspectives are also included.