Yüzlü, M.Y.Mumford, S.2024-08-252024-08-2520251358-684X1469-3585https://doi.org/10.1080/1358684X.2024.2379985This study explores the perspectives of the two authors, who have very different language backgrounds, reflecting the subtleties of first and additional language development. We distinguish between a ‘literacy-track’ (i.e. starting from written language) and an oracy track (starting from spoken language). We draw on duoethnography for our dialogic inquiry. Despite very different study and career trajectories, we reach convergence in both the theory and practice of learning and teaching and we were able to see clear parallels across trajectories. This approach led us to new insights into the nature of bilingualism in ‘wild’, i.e. naturalistic, and instructed contexts, and through our newly-discovered lens of literacy-oracy, and the concept of heteroteaching, we hope that our readers too will be encouraged to explore new understandings of their language learning and teaching journeys. © 2024 The editors of Changing English.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessBilingualismComplexity TheoryDuoethnographySociocultural TheoryArticle10.1080/1358684X.2024.23799852-s2.0-105003401435