All of the materials for this module are delivered online via the module website.
Each of the six units studied covers different aspects of the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. You will have the opportunity to reflect on and expand your current knowledge and skills in oral and written Spanish, learning advanced grammar, lexical, pragmatic, and discursive features of Spanish while exploring a range of topics.
The units in detail are:
Unit 1: Unidad y diversidad
Explore the history of Spanish, its dialects and the other languages spoken in the regions of the world where Spanish is an official language. In parallel, you'll reflect on the importance of diversity and multiculturalism as intrinsic elements to the existing cultures in the places where Spanish is spoken. Reading a selection of poems and other literary texts from different historical periods will also help you appreciate the evolution of Spanish over time.
Unit 2: Ciencia y tecnología
In this unit, you learn about the work of scientists and scientific institutions in regions of the world where Spanish is spoken, evaluate the impact of scientific advances on the Earth and the environment, see the universe through the Gran Telescopio Canarias, discover the formidable volcanoes of America and how technological innovations, including using artificial intelligence (AI), can help us to live in harmony with nature. You'll also cover the literary side of the sciences: science fiction.
Unit 3: Historia y política
Embark on expeditions that changed the course of history, such as the first circumnavigation of the world, and examine how, in some cases, the objectives and methods used in these voyages are interpreted differently if they are observed from a current perspective. Observe, through a variety of examples from the Spanish-speaking world, how the so-called 'fake news' is not new and has existed across history; you will reflect on how history is written and learn about why some important historical events remain untold. The intersection between history and literature is also explored.
Unit 4: Migración e identidad
Witness population movements and migratory processes that have affected the Spanish-speaking world, sometimes as a place of origin, in other cases as a place of reception for migrants, such as emigration of Mexicans to the United States, of sub-Saharans to Spain, of Central Americans to Mexico, and reflect on how these processes influence the identities of migrants based on the testimonies of some of them, including interviews and literary works.
Unit 5: Arte
Enjoy literature in Spanish and learn more about key authors and new literary expressions in Spanish that appear on social media; delve into the plastic arts and admire the buildings of Madrid and some of the most famous works painted by artists from the Spanish-speaking world; listen to a selection of music and explore the cinema and theatre in Spanish; discuss the relationship between humour, art and society.
Unit 6: Economía y negocios
Be inspired by the ideas of several entrepreneurs who have managed to move their businesses forward, with effort and dedication; learn about the great commercial alliances of Latin America; browse around traditional shops in Madrid and Chile; discover how a Spanish company works from the inside and reflect on fair trade and ethical trade.
You will work on text and audio-visual materials by completing a wide range of online activities, designed to deepen your understanding of the module topics and develop your confidence in communicating in Spanish. Throughout the module you will progressively develop your academic skills, leading up to a small-scale project at the end. All materials are interactive and encourage your participation; they also allow you to evaluate your progress regularly and provide you with strategies to further develop your skills as an independent language learner. With your fellow students, you can engage jointly in forums and in Unit 4, you will take part in an interactive cross-language discussion task.
This module is designed to enable you to achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level C1 of the Council of Europe 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:
One of the TMAs is an interactive speaking assignment which will be carried out by your tutor online.
You'll have access to a module website, which is the focal point of your study, and includes:
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials and to take part in your interactive assignment, you’ll need a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
You will also need to have access to a suitable Spanish dictionary, either in print or online, for example, the Dictionary of the Spanish language
You will be working with the following grammar book, which you can access electronically through the library, or you may have a printed copy if you have previously studied L226.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
L336 is an option module in our:
Spanish studies 3: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L336) 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 2034.
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.
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