- An undergraduate course
in
Languages.
En rumbo: intermediate Spanish
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | L140 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
En rumbo: intermediate Spanish follows on from Portales: beginners’ Spanish (L194). It builds on your existing Spanish knowledge and teaches more advanced language in the context of Spanish and Latin American society and culture. Study resources – including printed course books and online interactive activities – are carefully designed to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They provide clear learning objectives, guidance and model answers. This key introductory Level 1 course also teaches good study skills and language-learning strategies.
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What you will study
En rumbo: intermediate Spanish will develop your confidence in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish, whether you want to improve your Spanish for personal or for vocational reasons. It offers insights into many aspects of everyday life in modern Spanish-speaking societies, so you’ll also gain a better understanding of issues that concern Spanish-speaking people.
The course consists of:
- A website – that helps you to navigate through the course and pace your study as well as offering you the opportunity to interact with other students both in your own tutor group and across the course. It includes video and audio clips recorded in Spain (Madrid, Valladolid, Galicia) and Latin America (Mexico, Peru and Cuba) and a wide range of interactive language activities to develop your speaking and listening skills.
- A study guide – that helps you to understand how the different elements of the course fit together.
- Three books – that contain a wide range of language-learning activities based on written texts to develop your understanding of grammar and linguistic structures and develop your reading and writing skills.
- A DVD – that allows you to watch the video clips away from a PC.
The material covers themes such as talking about yourself, health and nature, history, traditions and personal histories. There are model answers (Claves) to all the tasks.
En rumbo is ideal preparation for Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish (L204).
This course is designed to enable you to achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level B1 of the Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You will have developed your knowledge and understanding of the language as well as an awareness of cultural diversity in Spanish speaking countries which form a key part of the learning outcomes for studying at this Level. By the end of the module you will have developed key Level 1 undergraduate study skills such as learning to work independently and using strategies which enable you to solve problems and analyse data.
Entry
This is a key introductory Level 1 course. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to courses at Level 2.
En rumbo requires a working knowledge of Spanish. It is ideal for students who have successfully completed Portales: beginners' Spanish (L194), or who have reached a similar linguistic standard. Your knowledge need not be formal. It could come from adult education classes, time spent in Spanish-speaking countries, regular contact with Spanish-speaking people or other sources. You should be able to understand the gist of what native speakers say and to hold a basic conversation in Spanish in everyday situations such as talking about yourself, your family and where you’re from; booking a hotel; or asking for directions. Go to our Language diagnostics website to see some sample materials.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you have time before the course begins, we suggest that you continue to use your Spanish in any way you can. You could do this by: redoing some of the activities in Portales: beginners' Spanish (L194), particularly Portales 6 (book and audio CD) which takes you through a revision of everything learnt in the course; watching and listening to the L194 audio materials; 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. L194 materials are either available to buy from The Open University Worldwide website or for viewing at your regional or national centre.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
Please note that this course makes substantial use of audio and visual materials. Full transcripts of the audio and visual materials are provided except for those used for assessment purposes. The written and spoken elements you will be asked to complete as part of your assessment use audio and possibly visual stimuli. Comb-bound versions of the written study materials can also be provided on request. Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
You’ll need to make extensive use of a personal computer and will need to access the course website on a regular basis. You will also be offered tutorials via an online conferencing system.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
A DVD-video, books and access to a website which includes links to forums and a real time audio-visual conferencing tool that allows you to communicate with fellow students and your tutor.
You will need
You will need a headset with a microphone and earphones to take part in online tutorials, record spoken tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and complete speaking activities. You will also need a DVD player or DVD drive on your computer to play the DVD-video.
Your En rumbo study materials will refer to The Oxford Spanish Dictionary and ¡Exacto! A practical guide to Spanish grammar; however, you could use any other dictionaries or Spanish grammar.
Please also see the Computing requirements and Assessment sections.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
- A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
- If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Oxford Spanish Dictionary, Oxford University Press £35.00 - ISBN 9780199543403
- Ortega, A, Beaven, T, Garrido, C & Scrivener, S !Exacto!, Hodder Education £16.99 - ISBN 9780340984499
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written and spoken tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). You can also ask your tutor for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. This course usually includes a mix of face-to-face and online tutorials. Please note that depending on where you live, the mix will vary and in some places face-to-face tuition may be replaced by telephone conferencing. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools. Although you are not obliged to attend any of these, you are strongly encouraged to take part as they will provide you with plenty of opportunities to speak and listen to Spanish. How tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
The TMAs test your written or spoken skills. The end-of-module assessment (EMA) comprises of a spoken element that assesses your spoken skills and will be carried out at a compulsory online tutorial. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
The Chartered Institute of Marketing now recognises this course under their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“The course layout is different to Portales and instead of audio CDs accompanying the books, there are a DVD and ...”
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“I did this course as part of the Certificate in Spanish, having completed the more basic Portales course. I couldn't ...”
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“We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the materials and the TMAs. It's true that it is hard to ...”
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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 or study adviser 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 read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | L140 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
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Your questions
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