Virtual reality and intercomprehension: A serious game for multilingual learning on the Francigena cycle route

Abstract

[EN] The project Time to S.P.R.I.C. – Shared Pathways for Romance languages, Intercomprehension and Cycling in virtual reality provides an immersive digital environment that promotes linguistic intercomprehension between Romance languages through a serious game set along the Via Francigena cycle route in the Susa Valley (Piedmont). Integrating storytelling, cultural exploration and interaction in virtual reality, the game aims to develop intercomprehension skills using the seven sieves, inferential strategies and experiential approaches. The user moves through a multilingual interactive environment, guided by an avatar, decoding written and oral input in languages other than their own L1. The playful-educational context encourages the activation of metalinguistic processes, reduces communication anxiety and supports the development of interpretative autonomy. The digital component is not only instrumental but an integral part of teaching: it allows meaningful interaction between the subject and the system, enabling personalised and adaptive feedback. The pilot study presents preliminary results involving 26 students enrolled in the Blended Intensive Programmes (UNITA) course, indicating high engagement and greater linguistic awareness on the part of the participants. The project is part of European policies for multilingualism and represents a replicable model for language teaching, with implications for schools, academia and civic life.