Fortes Saez, M., & Sevilla-Pavón, A. (2026). Immersive language learning for specific purposes in higher education: preparing students for real-world challenges. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 1–22

(Q1 publication, Taylor & Francis) This study examines how an immersive Virtual Exchange (VE) and Virtual Reality (VR) approach can support the development of twenty-first-century skills while engaging learners with social and environmental challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A particularly innovative aspect of the research was the longitudinal follow-up conducted after students returned from their work placements, revealing how VE-acquired competencies were enacted and refined in authentic multicultural work environments. These areas are particularly relevant to research within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Limerick, where understanding cultural diversity, promoting sustainable futures, and preparing graduates for an increasingly interconnected world are central priorities