This module is based around six themes: Leisure and culture; Geography; Education and employment; History; Celebrations, customs and traditions; and Contemporary society. Through each theme, you will gradually develop your Spanish knowledge and skills by:
The study materials are carefully structured and graded, and provide ample opportunities to practise the language in realistic contexts.
Alongside language-specific skills and knowledge (e.g., grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, writing, listening, speaking, interacting, and cultural awareness), you will develop intercultural communication skills, translation skills, as well as academic, digital, and employability skills. You will also learn about working practices in Spanish-speaking countries and about using appropriate conventions for writing CVs, for example.
You will develop good communication skills and learn how to analyse, evaluate and present ideas and arguments effectively; and you will become adept at relating to other people and being open to different points of view, all of which are highly valued skills in many professional settings.
This module will develop your proficiency in Spanish to a level equivalent to B1 level of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for languages.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
The TMAs test your writing and speaking skills. The final TMA is an interactive speaking assignment, which will be conducted online by your tutor. In addition, the study planner includes 4 formative CMAs (Computer-Marked Assignments), designed to help you practise your reading and listening skills.
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You'll also be provided with three printed module books, each covering two blocks of study. The content of these books is also available online. The audio and video files needed can be downloaded from the website.
We recommend that you purchase a good bilingual dictionary. We will provide you with details of the latest editions of those that we consider will be most suitable, prior to you starting this module.
You’ll be asked to watch one Spanish-language film that you’ll need to source yourself. The titles of the films will be provided when you begin the module.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
L116 is an option module in our:
Spanish studies 1 (intermediate) (L116) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This is an OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning.
You require a working knowledge of Spanish to study this module, equivalent to A2 level of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for languages. It is ideal if you have successfully completed Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106) or if you have reached a similar linguistic standard. You do not need a formal qualification in the language, but may have acquired your knowledge in adult education classes, time spent in Spanish-speaking countries, regular contact with Spanish-speaking people or other sources. You should be able to understand basic written and spoken materials and to hold a basic conversation in Spanish in everyday situations such as talking about yourself; your family and where you are from; booking a hotel; or asking for directions.
To help decide if you have sufficient Spanish to take this module with confidence, use our self-assessment quiz. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Before the module begins, we suggest that you continue to use your Spanish in any way you can. You could do this by reading a Spanish newspaper, using online resources, or watching some films in Spanish. Anything you can do to keep practising your Spanish will be helpful. Preparatory materials which help to revise the content of the previous module are available to students once they have registered with the University.
In addition, if you have studied the previous OU level 1 module, you can also revisit some of the activities and watch and listen to the audio materials from your materials. If you haven't studied this module, you can practise with these free online materials from OpenLearn by selecting Spanish, Level 1.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying L116 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
