Innovation in Language Learning

Engaging with others in a foreign language requires more than grammatical and lexical accuracy—it involves understanding interactional norms shaped by cultural values. Yet, many language programs still prioritize form over function. Building on the idea that culture permeates all social interaction (Byram, 2020), this study explores how virtual exchange can foster learners’ intercultural communicative competence. Research suggests that digital environments enabling authentic communication in the target language positively affect learners’ motivation and intercultural awareness (O'Dowd & O'Rourke, 2019). In particular, exchanges that promote meaning negotiation offer a fertile ground for language learning (Ellis, O'Donnell, & Romer, 2016; Lantolf, Poehner, & Thorne, 2020). This presentation reports on the outcomes of a one-year interuniversity project integrating virtual exchanges between Spanish learners at a Dutch university and pre-service teachers from a Spanish university. These exchanges were embedded in both institutions’ curricula and designed around meaningful communicative tasks. Analysis of quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (recordings, interviews) data revealed that language learners enhanced their communicative competence while also developing greater intercultural awareness through interactions with expert peers. Moreover, future language teachers gained pedagogical and intercultural skills through experiential learning and reflection. The project highlights the value of authentic, collaborative tasks in video-mediated exchanges not only for language acquisition but also for critical engagement with one's own and others' cultural norms. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that well-structured virtual exchanges benefit both language learners and teacher trainees, offering a reciprocal model that strengthens institutional collaboration and supports communicative and intercultural growth.