85 Integrating Social Entrepreneurship into Language Learning: Preparing Business Students for Real-World Challenges

Marta Fortes Sáez presented an innovative international project linking language learning with social entrepreneurship, intercultural competence and sustainable development. Fifty business students from UL and the University of Valencia collaborated in multilingual teams to investigate local societal or environmental challenges and to propose socially driven entrepreneurial solutions. Using a combination of English, Spanish and virtual reality meeting environments, students engaged in intercultural exchanges, interviews with local entrepreneurs and NGOs, and collaborative design of sustainability-oriented business concepts.

Quantitative analysis using pre- and post-project surveys showed statistically significant gains in digital skills, intercultural competence, and overall confidence. Qualitative reflections demonstrated improvements in critical thinking, socio-emotional skills, teamwork and leadership, with students reporting enhanced openness, adaptability and linguistic proficiency. The integration of digital storytelling enabled teams to communicate solutions in compelling, creative formats aligned with specific SDGs—for example, a circular-economy app for second-hand furniture.

Follow-up interviews after cooperative education placements revealed that students transferred these skills into workplace contexts, citing improved intercultural communication, professional digital practices, and confidence in engaging with diverse teams. Supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the project demonstrates a powerful model of embedding ESD competencies into language curricula while enhancing business relevance and global citizenship.