Universities of applied sciences have the task of preparing students for work life though practical and academic study. The top skills in demand for the job markets (World Economic Forum 2020) are analytical thinking, active learning, problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, and creativity, originality, and initiative. All these skills require use of language and cultural understanding. Digital skills and ability to adapt to digital transformation are valuable to learn for future careers. Digitalization is prevalent already now in education, learning online teaching and virtual learning are frequent phenomena in higher education. Hence, learning languages and culture with digital tools enhances future skills, and prepares for work life.

The paper aims to share the experiences and excellent practice of a Nordic-Baltic Nordplus Nordic languages project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, “Swedish for beginners - Multilingualism to Enhance Employability”, and its online language learning materials that contribute to an inclusive content and motivation enhancement of online language learning. The project aims to create a virtual Swedish A1 level beginner course to be studied independently, as supplementary material for language class or in combination with intensive studies in an immersive surrounding.

The paper describes student experiences of an autonomous learning period combined with an intensive pilot course with international participants in spring 2024, and compares them with experiences of virtual studies during autumn 2025 with amended online learning materials. It is already evident that autonomous pre-study motivates students by giving them more responsibility and autonomy for their learning, i.e., student empowerment. The autumn pilot is totally independent virtual study with minimal coaching. The virtual course has started well with students taking responsibility and action.

The bias for the need for the Swedish language in this Nordic-Baltic region is that more Scandinavian businesses are establishing businesses in the Baltic States. Naturally, they look for staff with skills in the Scandinavian languages. Possessing the basic skills of the Swedish language enhances students’ career chances, especially in the Scandinavian capital businesses. Furthermore, the materials are useful at the non-Swedish and non-Finnish speaking students and even work force in Finland that will benefit from learning the local language and about the culture.

Keywords: Autonomous learning, blended learning, language learning, multilingualism, online learning, university cooperation, future work-life competence.