From 1970 to 2012, Sophia Papaefthymiou-Lytra, Professor of Applied Linguistics, served in the Faculty of English, teaching under- and post-graduate courses on Applied Linguistics and ELT theory and praxis, supervising Ph.D.s, and assuming the duties of Chairperson in the Faculty, Head of the M.Ed. in TESOL programme at the Hellenic Open University, and member of the European Committee think-tank for the LINGUA Programme in the years 1989-1994. With a B.A. from the University of Athens, an M.A. in Linguistics/TEFL from the University of Lancaster, U.K., and a Ph.D. from the University of London, Prof. Lytra's research interests include classroom discourse analysis and learning, learning and communicating strategies, linguistic and cultural awareness and learning, self-access, autonomous and distance learning, the role of L1, assessment and certification, teacher education and training, and adult foreign language education. Her publications include five books and numerous articles in journals and edited volumes dealing with issues in learning and teaching English as a foreign language and teacher education and training.