Open University

Certificate of Higher Education in Language Studies

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Communicate appropriately, with some accuracy and fluency with competent speakers of at least one foreign language in familiar or everyday contexts including some job-related ones
• Demonstrate growing knowledge and understanding of aspects of the societies of the countries where the language studied is spoken
• Show developing intercultural competence, including an awareness of the role that language plays in intercultural encounters.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Use appropriate reading and listening strategies to make sense of a range of written, spoken and multimodal texts, both in English and the foreign language(s)
• Produce texts of different types, both orally and in writing, following genre or context-specific structures and conventions both in English and in the foreign language(s).

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Develop an awareness of the impact of global and cultural factors on people and communities, in particular on their language and cultural practices
• Develop an awareness of the skills needed for working successfully in a multicultural and international environment
• gather and process information from a variety of paper, audio-visual and electronic sources, including sources in different languages
• Work independently, scheduling tasks and managing time effectively
• Edit and correct your work, in English and the foreign language(s).

Key skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Gather, select and evaluate information or data from different sources including electronic media
• Develop your skills in communicating information in English accurately and appropriately for your subject, purpose and audience
• Develop your skills in communicating in a foreign language in everyday or familiar situations, accurately and appropriately for your purpose and audience, including the use of some effective strategies to monitor and repair communication (e.g. requesting repetition or clarification)
• Reflect on and respond to feedback to improve the effectiveness of written and spoken communication
• Recognise and use effective learning strategies and information and communication technologies as appropriate
• Perform teamwork and develop your problem-solving abilities (through study activities that require this mode of working).

This qualification has one stage, comprising 120 credits.

• In Stage 1, you’ll study a compulsory 30-credit or 60-credit module. If you intend to progress onto the BA (Honours) or Diploma of Higher Education, your choice of module depends on whether you intend to combine English language studies with a modern language or study two modern languages. You’ll choose your remaining 90 or 60 credits from a range of language modules.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

English language studies and a modern language

English and French; English and German; or English and Spanish

You'll study the following:

• Introducing English language studies (L101)

You'll choose 60 credits from the following lists (at least 30 credits must be from List B):

List A:

• Introduction to French studies (beginners) (L102)
• Introduction to German studies (beginners) (L103)
• Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106)
• Beginners’ Chinese (L108)
• Exploring languages and cultures (L161)
• English for academic purposes online (L185)

List B:

• French Studies 1 (intermediate) (L112)
• German Studies 1 (intermediate) (L113)
• Spanish Studies 1 (intermediate) (L116)

Two modern languages

French and German; French and Spanish; or German and Spanish

You'll study the following:

• Exploring languages and cultures (L161)

You'll choose 90 credits from the following lists (at least 30 must be from List B):

List A:

• Introduction to French studies (beginners) (L102)
• Introduction to German studies (beginners) (L103)
• Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106)
• Beginners’ Chinese (L108)
• Introducing English language studies (L101)
• English for academic purposes online (L185)

List B:

• French Studies 1 (intermediate) (L112)
• German Studies 1 (intermediate) (L113)
• Spanish Studies 1 (intermediate) (L116)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

This certificate raises your awareness of cultural differences and similarities – a key employability skill when people with different language and cultural backgrounds are increasingly meeting and working together. You’ll develop language skills in at least one modern foreign language and there is also a strong emphasis on communication in our digital age.

Career relevance

Languages and intercultural skills are key assets in tourism, international business and administration, and the diplomatic service. They are also highly valued by employers in a wide range of other sectors, who place a premium on the ability to make contact and communicate with global trade partners and to understand overseas business environments – and who often acknowledge this with higher salaries.

According to the National Centre for Languages, knowing foreign languages opens the doors to a wide range of economic, social and personal benefits. Being able to communicate effectively with our customers, colleagues and business partners is critical to competitiveness and social cohesion. The languages most in demand in the UK industry are French, German, Spanish and Mandarin, though knowledge of any other language will also give you the edge.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.