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Accessibility statement
Qualification dates
StartEnd
03 Oct 2026Jun 2027
Learn to speak and understand Spanish in a variety of practical situations and explore life in Spanish-speaking countries. This introductory OU level 1 module develops the skills needed to speak and understand simple Spanish in everyday contexts, such as work, family life, sport and travel, while also exploring the geography and history of Spanish-speaking cultures through topics relevant to adult learners. Study resources include books and a dedicated website with a variety of activities that support independent learning. Alongside your tutor and fellow learners, you'll gain language skills and a real feel for Spanish-speaking countries and communities.
Throughout this module, you will learn about concepts, skills and strategies required to learn Spanish successfully. After an introduction to learning Spanish, six thematic units will present new language in spoken and written form, invite you to collaborate and communicate in Spanish, and revise and consolidate what you have learned.
In each unit, you will learn new language content covering levels A1 and A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The six units include:
In addition to language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking in Spanish), you will broaden your cultural knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world, you will develop intercultural communication competence, translation skills through various text types. You will also develop your academic skills, critical thinking and digital literacy all of which enhance your employability skills. Up-to-date technology, such as machine translation and online communication tools, is also discussed and critically evaluated.
We appreciate the diversity of learners and acknowledge that not every topic might be of interest to you. From the beginning, you will be encouraged to select appropriate elements of the course and focus on areas you need to develop, including a wide range of skills for communicating in a second language environment.
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning.
No prior knowledge of Spanish is required to study this module. To help decide if this is the module for you, use our self-assessment quiz.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
As part of the module, there will be induction sessions to help you familiarise yourself with the OU materials, websites and terminology.
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:
TMAs test your writing and speaking skills. Your listening and reading skills will be tested by iCMAs. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the module.
You'll be provided with three module books. You'll also have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying L106 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.
Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106) 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 2036.
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