The study presented here, examines identity related categorizations in relation to language at large and literacy in particular, through the development of a tailored education in Swedish language for adult immigrants – Swedish for immigrants (Sfi). Taking a sociohistorical and sociocultural point of departure, learning a new language such as Swedish includes the “making” of identity in a specific context. The guiding questions in the study are; What aims vis-à-vis language (including literacy) can be traced in this education across time? What conceptualizations dominate vis-à-vis the target group of the education across time? The analysis of policy material (primarily curricula and syllabi) from a period encompassing over 50 years, presented in the study, highlights both the opportunities enabled but also the restraints that emerge through the language, including literacy education for newcomers in Swedish society. The languaging including literacy experiences that certain categories of students are exposed to and are expected to become competent in during the course of the education, thus makes specific identity positions and membership in certain communities of practices more available (and possible) as compared to others.