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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Creative Writing: Writing Love

These creative writing workshops spotlight the much-written theme of love. From romantic love to family love, from love of a place or a home of long ago to the love of a pet or a ritual, we’ll learn from authors who have portrayed love in all its form – obsessive love, had and had to let go of love and soul-mate love. This workshop consists of a blend of activities: writing exercises to practice your craft; close reading of extracts from published inspirational writers and teaching points on creative writing techniques. There is an opportunity to share your fresh words in small groups and receive gentle, appreciative feedback.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 27/11/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00017746
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Art Appreciation: Portraits through the Ages

The portrait has flourished as an art form from the ancient world to the present day and this innovative course will explore its continuing popularity. We shall study not only the painted face and figure but a variety of formats and formulae, from statuary to pendant medals and miniatures, and study artists as diverse as Holbein, Titian, Gainsborough, Singer Sargent and Francis Bacon. We include a reflection on the place of the photograph in this history of portraiture: was this new invention to prove a help or a hindrance to the creation of the modern portrait? This is a course for everyone who enjoys looking at paintings and no previous reading is required

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 30/11/2024 -
Sat 30/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Reading International Solidarity Centre
35-39 London Street
Reading
RG1 4PS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017297
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Music Appreciation: History of the Saxophone

The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in the early 1840s. In this course we will look at the history of the saxophone and the various different types of saxophone. We will look at the part the sax has played in a wide range of musical genres including classical music (concert bands, chamber music, solo repertoire, and occasionally orchestras), military bands, marching bands, jazz (big bands and jazz combos), and contemporary music. The various genres will be demonstrated with music played live by the course tutor – a professional saxophonist.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 30/11/2024 -
Sat 30/11/2024
Times:
11:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Feering Community Centre (Feering)
Coggeshall Road
Feering
CO5 9QB
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00019797
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £15.00

Art Appreciation: Surrealist Art, 1924 to 1945

One hundred years ago, André Breton published his Manifesto of Surrealism, officially starting one of the most influential movements of the 20th century. This short course (2 x 2 hours) is an introduction to Surrealist art, and an occasion to dive right in the surreal world of dreams and the unconscious. We will explore the works of iconic artists like Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, while learning about key techniques like automatism and collage. We will see how Surrealism challenges reality and sparks creativity. No experience needed, just bring your imagination!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019738
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Creative Writing: Taster: Creating Well-Rounded Characters

What’s at the heart of any story? A well-rounded character! Discover ways to make your characters so engaging that the reader can’t put the story down. From expressing a range of emotions, contradictory behaviours, hidden desires, flaws and more. Learn how to create a character we care about, one the reader can root for. A multidimensional character is more lifelike and engaging for your reader. This workshop and course is intended for those who have some experience of writing.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 04/12/2024 -
Wed 04/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00019613
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Appreciation: The Art of Christmas

The Christmas story has probably inspired more art than any other subject. From medieval icons of the Virgin and Child to the Renaissance paintings of the shepherds and the wise men; and from stained glass windows to Christmas cards, the story has been at the forefront of western art.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 05/12/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Salisbury Museum (Salisbury)
65 The Close
Salisbury
SP1 2EN
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00016863
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

Art Appreciation: Chagall: Whimsical and Profound

Explore the enchanting world of Marc Chagall in this two-hour session, where dreams, folklore, and memory intertwine on canvas. Discover how Chagall’s vibrant use of colour and fantastical imagery reflects his Jewish heritage, village life, and personal experiences. We’ll examine key works, from I and the Village to his famous stained-glass windows, uncovering his unique blend of Cubism, Surrealism, and Symbolism. Perfect for art lovers and curious minds alike, this session offers an engaging dive into Chagall’s magical, poetic vision of the world. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/12/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019824
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Art Appreciation: The Destruction of Art by artists, institutions, and conflicts

This course explores the destruction of art which has been going on for centuries whether through natural disasters, censorship, political ideology, war, and conflicts. Artists have been destroying their work out of jealousy or frustration to save their reputations or their legacies for generations. Contemporary artists even destroy art as part of their artistic practices, installations, or performances. Whilst activists are prepared to vandalise artworks to get their voices heard on issues they are passionate about. And governments waging wars deliberate target artworks to destroy the enemy’s culture. Are artworks destined to be destroyed whether through practice, protest, or conflict?

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 08/12/2024 -
Sun 08/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00017293
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Appreciation: Caravaggio, the Caravaggisti, and Baroque Art

Caravaggio’s life was as intense and significant as it was short. By the time of his untimely death at 38 years old, in 1610, he had ushered in a new aesthetic in painting, and was quickly followed by many, all over Europe. In this session, you will learn about the life and art of Caravaggio. You will also learn about Baroque art and its main features. To do so, we will not only study the works painted by Caravaggio, we will also study his followers’ works. The Italians Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi, the Naples-based Spaniard Ribera, the Flemish Rubens, the Dutch Rembrandt, and the French Georges de la Tour are some of the most famous painters influenced by Caravaggio.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/12/2024 -
Tue 10/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019198
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Literature: Gawain and the Green Knight, the family-friendly version

The tale told by a fourteenth-century poem, and much quoted thereafter. I’m going to look purely at a retelling of the plot, with explanations of who all the characters are, rather than expecting you to understand Middle English, and certainly won’t be diving off into the adults-only versions that appear in some films. If you want a serious academic study, this is not the place for you (though we will look at similar and related stories to understand this one): if you want a fun fairy-tale that starts with Christmas at King Arthur’s court, come and join us!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/12/2024 -
Tue 10/12/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00019859
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40