“I Learned That There's a State Called Victoria and He Has Six Blue‐Tongued Lizards!”

In the study described in this article, fourth‐grade teachers and students of different abilities and language backgrounds were interviewed before, during, and after participating in an Internet pen pal program. Results reveal that the program's authentic tasks and texts facilitated communication and enabled students to learn about a different culture. Enthusiasm generated by the program was evidenced in student writing. This program motivated students to write. It facilitated problem solving and supported critical thinking in written‐language acquisition.