Love to learn with the WEA

Our languages and culture courses span the length and breadth of England and Scotland, with the option to study online or in person at a time that suits you. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country, or you simply wish to indulge in your love and fascination of film, we have the course for you. 

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Our creative writing courses will nourish your inner writer, providing you with a platform to develop your love of poetry, non-fiction or script development. If literature courses are more your kind of thing, then you’re in luck too, as there are a wide range of topics to choose from.  

Literary greats and great periods in history

Our language courses offer you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, developing your skills so that you can speak confidently in countries right across the world. German, Italian and Greek are just a few examples of the language courses we have to offer, with many others taking place throughout the year.  

As you’d expect, literary greats such as Agatha Christie and Shakespeare feature regularly. There’s also the option to examine other time periods in English literature too, helping you develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the subject.  

If you prefer history then you’ve got a choice too, from courses on subjects you’d expect such as the first world war, or art history and studying the works of iconic painters such as Salvador Dali. 

Support and guidance

Whatever course you choose, you'll learn in a supportive environment where the class sizes are small, ensuring you get the attention you deserve, with an experienced and qualified tutor on-hand to guide you through your learning too.  

A lot of our cultural learning is delivered by our branch network: learn more here.

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Art Appreciation: Art in Churches

The Church has historically been a major patron of the arts, and all major artists have works in church buildings around Europe. From Saxon wall paintings and lavish medieval alter pieces, to contemporary installations in Cathedrals, this course looks at the variety of art commissioned by the Church, from the Sistine Chapel ceiling to Victorian church textiles. We discuss where good examples can be seen in this country, including stained glass and sculpture. The way in which art in Churches has reflected the major art history developments is at the core of this course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/06/2024 -
Mon 08/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00009352
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Literature: Stella Gibbons' 'Cold Comfort Farm'

Our chance to enjoy a novel that is set in the future, pays homage to Hardy and Lawrence, features the bossiest heroine in literature and the gloomiest rural family! It has been described as the funniest book ever written. Stella Gibbons' 'Cold Comfort Farm' is a rarity, a feel-good novel about gloom and misery. 'Something nasty in the woodshed' results only in the sunniest of happy endings, brought about by Flora Poste, an incorrigibly efficient heroine. Join this short course for the long, lovely days of midsummer.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/06/2024 -
Mon 24/06/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
The Grange Community Centre (Radcliffe-o
Vicarage Lane
Radcliffe-on-Trent
NG12 2FB
Tutor:
Judith Hedley
Course code:
Q00014832
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Film & Media: Dark and Deadly – An Introduction to Film Noir

What is “Film Noir”? It is arguably the most influential American film genre of the 1940s: a dark, sordid and cynical world providing an alternative to the prevailing Hollywood glamour. From hapless antiheroes to dangerous dames, this informal course will explore the archetypes, themes and style of noir. Among the films to be examined include The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Out of the Past and Touch of Evil. This is a course for anyone who has wondered what the term “Film Noir” means and wants to discover more!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/06/2024 -
Mon 24/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Norwich Millennium Library (Norwich)
Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1AW
Tutor:
Nigel Herwin
Course code:
Q00015250
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Film & Media: 5 Wonders of Modern French Cinema

Immerse yourself in the five film wonders of French cinema, deepening your knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of 21st-century international filmmaking. Discover the magic of these cinematic gems and broaden your love for the art of film.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 02/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00009763
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Literature: Ancient Greek tragedy: Sophocles’ Theban plays

Ancient Greek tragedies have held an enduring interest for audiences and readers since their first performances in Athens in the 5th century BCE. Performed with both ancient and modern settings, revised and adapted, they retain their relevance to human action and understanding. In this course we will study three linked plays by Sophocles that focus on the story of Oedipus, king of Thebes, and his efforts to avoid fate: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. We will consider plots, themes, characters and their continuing popularity with audiences. All texts will be studied in English translations: no previous knowledge is assumed.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 09/07/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kim Shahabudin
Course code:
Q00013754
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Literature: Take a Picture – Tell its Story

Take a Picture , this time with a broad ‘Summer Theme’- Tell Its Story, a fun, friendly and structured approach to aid you in finding inspiration, putting pen paper and get writing. Every picture tells a story, so we put the focus on getting creative and being inspired by a variety of pictures (ideally taken by yourself with a different theme to prompt us each session). We apply some key hints, tricks and craft to our writing which could be inspired by memory found in fact, fiction or somewhere in between - developing ideas throughout each session.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 02/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00013797
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Creative Writing: Writing for Pleasure

An exciting new opportunity to develop your confidence and skills in creative writing is coming to Longley 4G in Sheffield! Whether you are just starting out as a budding writer, or already have lots of experience expressing yourself through writing, this creative writing course will provide you with a platform to develop your talent. It’s a course for anyone, from beginners to those with a little more experience, giving you the opportunity to share skills with others in a friendly community atmosphere.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Longley 4 Greens Centre (Sheffield)
41 Southey Avenue
Sheffield
S5 7NN
Tutor:
Michelle Lee
Course code:
Q00014714
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.10

Introduction to Beginners' Ukrainian

Would you like to start learning how to speak in Ukrainian? Would you like to communicate with your friends or colleagues who speak the language? Then this is the course for you. This is the introductory course which runs for 7 weeks this academic year. There will be an opportunity to continue your studies to a higher level in the next academic year. You do not have to do any assessments to join the course as this is for beginners. You will be taught by a qualified tutor who was born in Ukraine and has lived in the UK teaching English for a number of years.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kovalenko
Course code:
Q00015097
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Introduction to Beginners' Spanish

Do you want to learn Spanish? ¡Vamos! Let’s go! This is an introductory course or taster course where you can start to study Spanish for beginners to learn the essentials to get by in Spain. These basic Spanish courses will immerse you into the vibrant cultures of Spanish-speaking countries while you daydream about your next trip. In this basic Spanish language course, you’ll learn essential grammar and vocabulary to start communicating right away. It’s ideal if you want to dip your toe into the language.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Andrea Ostapski
Course code:
Q00015105
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Beginners Spanish

Do you want to learn Spanish? ¡Vamos! Let’s go! Study Spanish for beginners to learn the essentials to get by in Spain. These basic Spanish courses will immerse you into the vibrant cultures of Spanish-speaking countries while you daydream about your next trip. In this basic Spanish language course, you’ll learn essential grammar and vocabulary to start communicating right away. It’s ideal if you want to dip your toe into the language.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 09/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Bullion Hall (Chester le Street)
South Approach
Bullion Lane
Chester le Street
DH2 2DW
Tutor:
Ignacio Gonzalez
Course code:
Q00015419
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free