A sociolinguist by training and applied linguist by af filiation, Mike Baynham’s research interests lie in the application of insights from sociolinguistics to a range of educational and social issues, particularly literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). He is currently Professor of TESOL at the University of Leeds. Anna De Fina is Assistant Professor of Italian Language and Linguistics and Coordinator of the Italian Language Program at Georgetown University, Washington D.C.