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: The Blue Rider, German Expressionism

Part of the Free Taster Courses for All; this course is an Introduction to the Expressionist Movement and the Blue Rider Art Group. Expressionism is a key art movement of the early 20th century, which developed from 1905 in Germany and Austria. In this session, you will learn about one of the Expressionist groups, The Blue Rider. Centred around Munich and Murnau, the artists of this group developed a colourful and free style of painting. Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Gabriele Munter, Alexei von Jawlensky, Marianne von Werefkin, August Macke and Paul Klee used strong colours and boldly simplified forms to express themselves. If you have ever wondered what is Expressionism, how it started and developed, and why these artists painted in such a way, this course is for you!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 05/07/2024 -
Fri 05/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016974
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

Ways to Wellbeing: Poetry for Wellbeing: reading and writing upbeat poems for improved wellbeing

While different things work for different people, well- being poems can be very comforting when you're having a difficult time, and can help us understand what we're feeling. It can also help to know someone has been where you are and to know you're not alone. On this short course you will be looking at a variety of classic and contemporary poems on positivity and strength to help you develop insight, hope, and a more positive outlook on life. You will also be writing your own poems inspired by what you have read and discussed with others to express your thoughts, emotions and use these to help improve your overall well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/07/2024 -
Tue 23/07/2024
Times:
2:30pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sarah Wardle
Course code:
Q00017666
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Film & Media: 5 BBC Films Revisited

A friendly and accessible exploration boasting a second offering of five more recent cinematic works produced by BBC Film, promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation and confidence regarding film and cinema, also literacy skills, critical thinking and well-being in general. We examine, discuss and compile a critical journal reviewing a selection works from BBC Film promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation of film but also critical thinking, literacy skills and well-being, considering running themes and techniques whilst also highlighting specialist language and terminology, advancing literacy, communication skills and confidence in delivering informed feedback.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 10/07/2024 -
Wed 31/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00015238
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Art Appreciation: Elizabeth Thompson (aka Lady Butler), and other Victorian Women Artists

Part of the Free Taster Courses to All. This course looks at Painter Elizabeth Thompson. As Tate Britain puts on an exhibition about British women artists this summer, it is the perfect occasion to present a significant Victorian painter, who was famous for her battle paintings. As we do so, we will also highlight other Victorian women who became successful professional painters such as Emily Mary Osborn and Evelyn De Morgan. They lived in a society that globally remained hostile to independent career women. We will see how they trained, and how Thompson, and others, balanced the pressure of social norms and their personal ambition.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 10/07/2024 -
Wed 10/07/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016971
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

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

Creative Writing: Writing Your First Novel: Getting Your Work Published

This course is a follow on to the previous ‘Writing Your First Novel’ courses but is also suitable for newly enrolling students with experience writing fiction and a manuscript that they wish to submit to agents and publishers. 'Writing your first Novel: Getting Published' is all about the various elements that writers need to be aware of when considering their writing work for submission in today’s market. The course is designed to allow student’s work to stand out in the competitive publishing market by ensuring that industry standards are met and maximise their opportunity of being noticed by a literary agent of publisher.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/07/2024 -
Thu 01/08/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Craig Rickard
Course code:
Q00015275
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Creative Writing: Writing for Wellbeing: Getting Started

If you would like to learn how to use creative writing in a fun way to support your wellbeing and are interested in developing skills to express your thoughts and feelings, then this friendly and supportive course is the perfect course to get you started. Creative writing is an effective and rewarding way to develop your self-expression and a great way to make space and time for personal reflection. It can enable you to re-connect with both your creativity and learning. It has been shown that exploring creativity with words and the use of writing games can help us gain insight and perspective on our lives and can build confidence and stimulate problem solving. During this friendly and supportive course, you will develop some of these fun approaches to creative writing.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/07/2024 -
Fri 12/07/2024
Times:
10:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
ClayTAWC Ltd (St. Austell)
Fore Street
St. Dennis
St. Austell
PL26 8AF
Tutor:
Heather White
Course code:
Q00014576
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Art Appreciation: How to Look at Art?

Part of the free Taster courses to All; this Art Appreciation course will show you how to look at Art. Have you ever wondered how to look at a painting or a sculpture, and how to figure out what it means? This session will give you some keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of works of art. This should make your next visits to art galleries even more enjoyable!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/07/2024 -
Fri 12/07/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00016975
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

Film & Media: FilmAbility - Ipswich Rising: A Community United

This ""Filmability"" course engages students and long-term unemployed individuals in creating a short documentary film about Ipswich Town Football Club's community impact. This innovative project promotes collaboration, planning, literacy, and digital skills through hands-on filmmaking. Participants develop practical skills like resilience, teamwork, research, writing, and technical proficiency over ten days. The course covers identifying topics, scriptwriting, camera operations, filming, and editing. By the end, participants produce a documentary, enhancing their confidence and workplace readiness while celebrating ITFC's return to the Premier League and their own journey towards employment.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/07/2024 -
Fri 26/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
20 sessions
Location:
Ipswich County Library
Northgate Street
Ipswich
IP1 3DE
Tutor:
James Clarke
Course code:
Q00016757
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £168.00

Film & Media: How to Read Film

Part of the Free to All Summer Taster Courses: Do you like films and are keen to learn more and discuss them with like-minded enthusiasts? Have you wondered “How did they do that?” Or even more so “Why did that film make me feel like this? “Are you thinking about enrolling on one of the WEA’s film studies courses? Then this free taster session is for you. You’ll get equipped with some of the basics of “how to read a film” – the key elements of filmmaking and how they create (different) meanings, emotions and impacts on the viewer, enabling you analyse films with greater confidence.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/07/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ruth Mulandi
Course code:
Q00016976
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Soho and its Heritage

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! As part of the WEA London Festival Art and About : A heritage walk through the heart of Soho meeting at Criterion Théâtre near Piccadilly Circus on Thursday July 18th meet at 11am ending near Tottenham Court Road Tube station Come and explore the Soho area famously known for its culture , yet their other interesting features institutions that exist in the area such as Churches , Old Hospitals and much more. We will explore how the area developed and why these are still important buildings today

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/07/2024 -
Thu 18/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Criterion Theatre
218-223 Piccadilly
St. James's
London
London
W1J 9HR
Tutor:
Selina Rice
Course code:
Q00014454
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.50