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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Literature: Contemporary British Fiction

This course will consider and analyse the following authors and their texts. These are: The Stranger’s Child - Alan Hollinghurst. The Blue Flower - Penelope Fitzgerald. A Pale View of Hills - Kazuo Ishiguro. Last Orders - Graham Swift. On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan. These texts will provide a window into the different regions of Britain during the last fifty years, decades of major change in the social fabric and political nature of Britain, though several of our texts will trace these changes back to the earlier part of the twentieth century, and in doing so, we will encounter themes of identity, class and the decline of Empire. There will be much to prompt discussion and challenge our assumptions. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Duke Street Church
Quadrant Road
Richmond
TW9 1DH
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00019812
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Creative Writing: Creative Writing Workshop – Fiction, Poetry and Memoirs

We will cover all forms of writing – fiction, including novels, short stories and plays, also poetry, autobiography and memoirs. The aim is to help develop and channel your writing ability, whether as a hobby or for publication. We will discuss many aspects of writing, foster the use of imagination, and read your work in a constructive and friendly setting. The emphasis is on individual development. This course is suitable for improvers and beginners. All you need is an interest in developing and enjoying your writing skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stella Stocker
Course code:
Q00018502
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Foreign Languages: Everyday Greek for Improvers (Intermediate Term 5)

Can you take part in conversations in Greek? Would you like to increase your fluency and your accuracy? This face-to-face course will refresh and expand some of the Greek you have learnt in the past and it will increase your confidence in communicating with the locals when in Greece or Cyprus. It will also give you a deeper insight into the Greek lifestyle and culture. The course is taught by a well-qualified and experienced native speaker with many years’ teaching experience. Learning a foreign language for holiday or leisure is a great way to keep your brain active, explore a different culture, meet people with a common interest, increase your confidence and enhance your wellbeing. Take advantage of this unique opportunity today.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Barn, Manor Farm (Tadcaster)
St. Joseph's Street
Tadcaster
LS24 9HA
Tutor:
Eleni Vezyri
Course code:
Q00020067
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Foreign Languages: Modern Greek Conversation for Improvers (lower intermediate Term 5)

Can you take part in brief conversations in Greek in a wide range of situations? Would you like to boost your existing Greek language skills, be able to communicate in more detail and gain a deeper insight into the Greek culture? This online course aims to expand the Greek you have already learnt and increase your confidence in using the language to communicate with the locals when in Greece or Cyprus. It will also give you a further insight into the Greek lifestyle and culture. The course is taught by a well-qualified and experienced native speaker with many years’ teaching experience. Learning a foreign language for holiday or leisure is a great way to keep your brain active, explore a different culture, meet people with a common interest, increase your confidence and enhance your wellbeing. Take advantage of this unique opportunity today.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
7:15pm - 9:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Eleni Vezyri
Course code:
Q00020068
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Creative Writing: Writing Your First Novel: Getting Started

You'll learn about the key pillars of creative writing, which will help you write effective fiction pieces, as well as create an effective creative writing practice. Whether you want to write a novel, short stories, or just write for self-awareness and personal development, come along, and join the class, whether you consider yourself an absolute beginner or someone who has written a little in the past.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Craig Rickard
Course code:
Q00009230
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Creative Writing: 'Roots' Creative Writing: Structure & Point-of-View 

Practice techniques for creating short stories, true or untrue in fortnightly sessions. We'll apply the principles of short fiction to our writing, with the focus this term on thinking about how point-of-view impacts on structure. There will be writing exercises, discussions, an optional weekly homework task and feedback. Guidance on feedback techniques will be provided. The course content has flexibility, and will be adapted to suit the needs of the group. Suitable for improvers. This course uses the same content as the other fortnightly class, Creative Writing: Structure & Point of View Q00012330, the Thursday evening course, Structure & Point-of-View, and the Friday morning course, Creative Writing: Structure & Point-of-View, therefore you need only enrol on to one of them.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Humphris
Course code:
Q00012725
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Art Appreciation: Paul Nash: Dreamer of the Modern World

Discover the fascinating life and work of 20th century artist, Paul Nash. Chart his significant impact on British art from 1914 to his death in 1946: from his experiences as Official War Artist during both World Wars; and his contribution to the development of British Surrealism and modern landscape. The course explores also Nash’s fruitful collaboration with his wife, the writer and Suffragette, Margaret Odeh. Central to this course will be a focus on Nash’s interest in spirituality and Eastern philosophies, exploring how his paintings articulated certain subjects and motifs that helped him make sense of a world of conflict.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Chantal Condron
Course code:
Q00017403
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £60.00

Literature: French Literature Post 1945

This ten week course ranges widely across postwar French literature and its themes and concerns. Stephen has discussed French literature before, but these texts are all previously untaught. The texts are: The Plague - Albert Camus. Memoirs of Hadrian - Marguerite Yourcenar. Missing Person - Patrick Modiano. Street of Thieves - Mathias Enard. Simple Passion - Annie Ernaux. These very different books will introduce us to disparate elements of the French psyche, and explore themes of identity, memory and displacement. The course will feature lectures, group discussions, close-reading and contextualisation of the historical moments pertinent to each writer and text. It will be provoking intellectually and imaginatively, and lively participation is encouraged.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017921
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Creative Writing: Return of the Short Story

The short story is making a comeback - varied, rule-breaking and fun, interest in this once side-lined form is expanding. Writing a compelling short is a craft within itself and sometimes regarded as a ‘dark art’ - Does every word really need to count? When does the story really start? When should it end? We explore the varying forms, cross the genres and consider the outlets. There’s never been a better time to find inspiration and get motivated, if you have an idea for a story - now is the time.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Westborough
Scarborough
YO11 1JW
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00020085
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Music Making: Music, Movement and Mayhem

A fun and friendly group to get you moving, singing, playing games, thinking and talking with lots of laughter. All abilities welcome.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ashley Place (Bognor Regis)
Kings Parade
Bognor Regis
PO21 2QP
Tutor:
Suzanne Swain
Course code:
Q00020242
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00