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Historically, “literacy” has referred to the ability to read and write on the part of an individual. A person who can read and write just enough to function in society is termed “functionally literate.” One who possesses the knowledge and inclination necessary to use reading and writing for an array of communicative purposes is deemed to be fully literate. However, when “literacy” is associated with “bilingualism,” its meaning, from a sociocultural– linguistic perspective, encompasses language acquisition, second language learning, bilingualism, biliteracy and bilingual education. Keywords: bilingualism; esl/efl; language in the classroom; second language acquisition; literacy; sociocultural language studies