Intermediate Spanish: Literature, Cinema and the Visual Arts

Immerse yourself in contemporary Spanish literature and film

On this course, you’ll develop your knowledge of literary, cinematic, and visual arts, especially those with political, social, and cultural significance in Spanish-speaking countries.

Delve into the contemporary literature of Spanish-speaking worlds

You’ll discover how to talk about the cultural relevance and rich variety of content created in Spanish-speaking countries, from novels and autobiographies, to diary-form narrative.

You’ll become familiar with the work of a variety of writers from Spain and Latin American countries, such as Mario Benedetti’s La Tregua, sampling their novels, poems, and plays.

You’ll learn language skills to help you express literary preferences and how to practise emotional speech to develop expressivity.

Explore the importance of cinema in Spain and Latin American countries

You’ll gain the skills to engage with films, share plots and synopses, and talk about them with others in Spanish.

Using your new skills, you’ll consider a film you’d like to see, research other options, and share your suggestions with other learners. You’ll also discover how to suggest going to the cinema.

You’ll be encouraged to write a short film synopsis or share the plot of a book or film in Spanish.

Uncover the meaning of art and artistic expression

You’ll identify what art and artistic expression means for people, and develop the skills to discuss your own art preferences.

You’ll discover how to describe some key monuments and paintings such as El Madrid de los Austrias in Spain and the Murals of Diego Riviera in Mexico, and express the feelings they evoke.

Whether visiting or relocating to a Spanish-speaking country, you’ll have the skills to use crucial vocabulary and structures to immerse yourself in the local culture.

This course is designed for those who are at Level A2, working towards Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Learners should feel confident to use the language in most situations likely to arise while travelling in the worlds of Spanish.

The OU’s language ExpertTracks are designed to help you progress with each one you study. It’s suggested you work through them in order to effectively develop your language skills.

Learners would benefit from having completed Intermediate Spanish: People and Places before taking this ExpertTrack.