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Learning to teach languages in primary schools part 2

Upgrade your language teaching skills for primary school with this combined language and pedagogy module, where you’ll develop your confidence in listening, reading, writing, speaking and interacting in French, German, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. You’ll also explore current thinking in theory and practice of teaching languages in primary schools and learn the key concepts for embedding language in classroom routines.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

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Module

Module code

LXT191

Credits

15

Study level

Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
1 7 4

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

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Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

There are two elements to this module - language and pedagogy. The language proficiency of this module is equivalent to level A2 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages (CEFR), so a prior working knowledge equivalent to A1 is needed (we can help with this, see Entry requirements). The module develops your confidence in listening, reading, writing, speaking and interacting in your choice of French, German, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. You’ll enhance your skills for teaching your new language through the pedagogy strand and explore in more depth current thinking in theory and practice of primary languages teaching. Throughout the module, you’ll become familiar with key concepts around embedding language in classroom routines.

Language strand

The language component is offered in a choice of French, German, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish. It develops confidence as well as improving knowledge and understanding of native-speaking societies and cultures.

This element of the module:

  • Gives you the skills to speak and understand simple French, German, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish in everyday situations.
  • Develops a level of language proficiency equivalent to level A2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).
  • Includes study resources such as module books in PDF format, digital audio recordings, a dedicated module website and online activities.

Teaching pedagogy strand

This module includes a Masters level pedagogy strand. This gives you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge at postgraduate level. You'll gain skills to teach your new language in your primary classroom, and develop your pupils’ language and literacy skills using a strongly reflective approach.

This element of the module:

  • Explores current thinking in theory and practice of primary languages teaching.
  • Familiarises you with key pedagogical concepts, developing reading and writing skills in another language.
  • Teaches content and language integrated learning (CLIL) and the concept of the multilingual classroom.
  • Uses multi-media to introduce you to teaching methods in and outside the classroom. Guides you in applying your new knowledge and skills in your own teaching context.
  • Includes course work through a dedicated course website and online tutorials. But you’ll also spend time with other students reflecting on what you have learned.

Vocational relevance

This module, part of the TEachers Learning to Teach Languages (TELT) programme, enables you to build foreign language learning into the primary school curriculum of your school. You'll develop expert skills in this area to enhance your employability through taking on leadership roles around primary languages. It also supports primary teachers in implementing primary languages policies.

Professional recognition

In Scotland, the TELT programme is officially approved by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) with a Professional Recognition Award. Teachers in Scotland who sign up to the professional recognition element of this programme and complete it successfully can add this to their achievements with the GTCS stamp of approval.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You’ll have two tutors – a language and a pedagogy tutor. They’ll help by:

  • marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
  • providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
  • guiding you to additional learning resources
  • facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.

Assessment

The summative assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Course work also includes the following obligatory formative assessment:

  • Five 250-300 word forum posts highlighting successes and challenges you encountered when applying what you’ve learned in terms of pedagogy and language. Participation in a forum discussion with fellow students.

If you're based in Scotland and working towards the Professional Recognition Award from the General Teaching Council for Scotland, you will also submit:

  • Four 300-500 word formative reflective pieces in the form of blog postings on the discussions among the student cohort revolving around the application of the pedagogy and language studied in the classroom.
  • One final written 500-800 word formative reflective piece that summarises the impact of the learning in the course blocks on your teaching practice, including a plan for further development of your own practice.

Future availability

Learning to teach languages in primary schools part 2 (LXT191) starts once a year – in October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2025 when we expect it to start for the last time.

Regulations

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.

Course work includes:

2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
No examination


Entry requirements

You’ll need to be employed in a school/teaching setting to study this module and have a working knowledge of French, German, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish, equivalent to CEFR level A1. This can be acquired through either:

  • The study of one of the below introductory level modules:
    • Learning to teach languages in primary schools (beginners' French) (LXT192)
    • Learning to teach languages in primary schools (beginners' German) (LXT193)
    • Learning to teach languages in primary schools (beginners' Spanish) (LXT194) 
    • Learning to teach languages in primary schools (beginners' Chinese) (LXT197)
  • Equivalent study elsewhere.
  • Extended visits to the countries where the target language is spoken.

Whether you’re self-funding or sponsored by your employer, you’ll need the support of your employer to apply your new language teaching skills in a school setting. This is a core element of the programme.

In Wales, this course is currently funded by Global Futures for eligible students.

How to apply

Registration is now open for modules starting in October 2024.

Self-funding students will be asked to complete a short suitability check form. This is to ensure you will be able to apply your new skills in a primary classroom during your study.

To apply, contact us using the details below for your country of residence. Please quote 'TELT' in the email subject line:

*If you are an employer who seeks to sponsor places for students in England or Scotland, call us on 0300 303 5777 or email corporate-enquiries@open.ac.uk

Register

Start End England fee Register
04 Oct 2025 Jun 2026 £973.00

To register for this course - see 'Entry requirements'. Registration closes 11/09/25
October 2025 is the final start date for this course. For more information, see Future availability.

To register for this module, please refer to the entry requirements and contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service (online registration is not available).

Additional Costs

Study costs

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.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

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).

Employer sponsorship

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. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

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. 

Mixed payments

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).


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.

This information was provided on 15/05/2025.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

Language strand

The language component is based around a dedicated module website with the following elements:

  • Language learning units in downloadable PDF format.
  • User-friendly, ‘bite-sized’ information dealing with language and cultural aspects.
  • Gradual development of study and language skills.
  • Development of basic vocabulary, grammar and set phrases.
  • Audio material, featuring recordings by competent speakers of the chosen language and a wide variety of speaking activities.
  • Practice activities and self-assessment tests to monitor your progress.
  • Regular online video clips to support your practice activities.

Teaching pedagogy strand

The pedagogy component is based around a dedicated website with the following elements:

  • User-friendly, ‘bite-sized’ theory and practical information dealing with teaching languages at primary level.
  • Gradual development of study and language teaching skills.
  • Audio-visual material, featuring real-life classroom activities for critical reflection. A range of community initiatives, such as outdoor learning, which highlight how languages can be incorporated into a wide range of primary school activities.
  • Guidance around interdisciplinary learning and engagement with the wider community.
  • Practice activities and self-assessment tests to monitor your progress.
  • Materials for your own further research in this area.
  • Regular online peer group discussions to support your study and practice activities.
  • A balance of theory and practice that enables you to engage with both in a professionally supportive environment. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your new language skills in your classroom, with your pupils.

Computing requirements

  • Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
  • Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
  • Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
  • Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
  • Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
  • Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying LXT191 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 pages.