Professional Skills

Beginners Spanish for primary teaching

Do you need to learn Spanish or improve your knowledge of Spanish for the classroom? This course is designed to provide basic knowledge of Spanish for the primary context and supports you as a teacher, teaching assistant, school-based professional or volunteer helper by developing speaking and listening skills and teaching basic grammar enjoyably! You will be able to try out different classroom ideas during the course and develop a set of resources you can draw on for interesting and diverse lessons.

What you will study

This course is part of a suite of continuing professional development course for school practitioners that directly link to their professional practice in the classroom.

The course has a core that focuses on developing listening and speaking skills along with fostering sound basic grammar. The course starts with greetings, introductions and giving a little personal information about yourself. You then move onto talking about places, objects and the people you encounter on an everyday basis. The course then develops your skills on asking for information and directions and finally explores talking about likes and dislikes. This course has been developed in conjunction with the course Teaching primary languages (GE026) but also introduces you to some general strategies for successful language learning and gives you insights into contemporary Hispanic countries, which you can pursue further by following the web links provided.

Whilst this course addresses the need for Key Stage 2 primary school practitioners, its main purpose is to build up confidence and basic skills in Spanish.

You will learn

• how to communicate in predictable everyday situations in Spanish, for example when introducing yourself, talking about what you like doing or finding your way around town
• how to pronounce most Spanish words and names from seeing them written down
• the basic grammatical rules, for example, those governing verb endings or articles in Spanish
• some of the cultural aspects of Hispanic countries
• some strategies for successful language learning
• how to teach basic linguistic skills to children at Key Stages 1 and 2
• about resources to further your own language learning and to assist in your teaching.

The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. The course will take 30 hours to study and includes web text, audio recordings, self assessment questions and activities. The course contains a series of bite-size chunks devoted to a different language topic. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!

The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University (OU) from its years of expertise in work-based learning:

• The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the dedicated website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
• The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify study materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
• A work-based activity helping you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. This is built up from short activities during the course, leading to a Personal Development Plan. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
• Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (N.B. The course does not carry academic credit points.)

Entry

Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to be working in an educational environment and be able to try some activities with a group of Key Stage 2 children. The course assumes a familiarity with educational terminology.

For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.

If you have a disability or additional requirement

The study materials are delivered online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some materials or some activities without assistance. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our publication Meeting Your Needs.

Study materials

What's included

All learning materials, exercises, study support and the work-based activity are delivered entirely online.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course which includes online activities. You can only access these using a web browser with Flash and Java.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2006 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.5 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Learner support

Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the GE056 forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.

Work-based activity

The work-based activity for this course is made up of a number of practical tasks and has been designed as an integrated ongoing activity which you submit at the end of your study. It will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.

Professional recognition

Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate that you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or professional body.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Beginners French for primary teaching (GE054)
• Action in French (French summer school) (LXR122)
• Difficulties in literacy development (E801)
• Effective decision-making skills (GB077)
• Exploring psychology (DSE212)

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

Study explained

Special fee arrangements

- the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.

Study explained

- all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.

Your questions

We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.

Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35

Employers' questions

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