Explore literature through the ages.

We've hand-picked a variety of English literature courses for you to choose from. Whether you are interested in twenty-first-century literature and culture, the tales of Babylon, or historical topics such as race and gender, we have a broad selection of literature that’s sure to suit a wide variety of tastes and interests.  

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You might be a newcomer to the world of literature and the great works of authors past and present, or perhaps you consider yourself somewhat of an expert. Whichever group you fall into, our friendly classes are the perfect environment to develop your skills and knowledge. Building on a curiosity or passion is what we do best! 

Enrol on a literature class near you  

Whether you prefer online learning from the comfort of your own home, or you want to attend an in-person class in your local community, we have a huge amount of flexibility to suit how you learn best. This means that you can pick the environment that’s right for you, giving you that piece of mind that you can learn in a place that you feel comfortable with. 

The support you’ll receive 

Our dedicated tutors will guide you through the different genres and time periods in English literature, helping you to develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect if you're a beginner.   

Our learning experience is one of the things that sets us apart, with many of our learners going on to achieve incredible things. You’ll learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have.  

Start your journey today and learn all about the works of Agatha Christie, Shakespeare and many, many more.  

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Literature: Literature Appreciation: 'Openings'

Openings present challenges. The beginning of a text is vital in terms of how it will intrigue a reader, 'set the scene' for them, play to, or subvert their expectations. Characters need to be established quickly, plot and its tensions set in motion, context established. We will be studying together how authors rise to these demands in the openings of novels, poetry and plays from Shakespeare to the modern day.  Through discussion and analysis together, we will assess the techniques writers use to shape our responses, and invite us into their work.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Clare Jackson
Course code:
Q00021453
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Literature: Five Korean Short Stories

This course will examine five Korean short stories and function as a taster-course to Korean literature in general, which has recently come to the fore with the award of the Nobel Prize to Han Kang. It will serve to broaden your appreciation of until recently a minority literature. We will analyse those elements which have contributed to Korea’s distinctive contribution to world literature in the last 100 years, and discuss the relationship between a politically troubled history and creativity, discovering as we do a range of male and female voices. There will be ample opportunities for discussion in what will be lively sessions.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021488
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Literature: The Literature of Uplift

In difficult times, literature can provide uplift and hope. Whether it is in descriptions of individual acts of kindness, a story of a quiet life which made a difference, a song, or a rallying cry to better our society, all sorts of texts can inspire us. In this course, we will be analysing and discussing together writings from a wide range of genres: novels, biography and autobiography, songs and poetry. We will be reflecting on humour, the portrayal of recovery, and works which give us an unsentimental hope for the future.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 02/05/2025 -
Fri 11/07/2025
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Newcastle Quaker Meeting House (Newcastl
West Avenue
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 4ES
Tutor:
Clare Jackson
Course code:
Q00021452
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Literature: Portraits of Society, 1954 – 1961 The Angry Decade? Barbara Pym, No Fond Return of Love

Explore the literature of the "Angry Decade" with a focus on Barbara Pym's No Fond Return of Love in our Literature: Portraits of Society, 1954 – 1961 The Angry Decade? course. Analyze the social themes and character studies that define this period. Ideal for literature enthusiasts and students of modern British history.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/07/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Patrick O'Reilly
Course code:
Q00016890
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80