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: Portraits of Society, 1954 – 1961 The Angry Decade?

Explore the literature of the "Angry Decade" with our Literature: Portraits of Society, 1954 – 1961 The Angry Decade? course. Analyze works from this tumultuous period in British literature, reflecting on social change and cultural upheaval. Ideal for literature enthusiasts and students of modern British history.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Times:
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Humphris
Course code:
Q00016889
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Creative Writing for Wellbeing

Discover the therapeutic benefits of writing with our Creative Writing: Creative Writing for Wellbeing course. Learn how to use writing as a tool for self-expression, healing, and personal growth. Ideal for individuals looking to improve their mental and emotional well-being through creative expression.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 21/05/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Shekinah Endeavour House (Torquay)
Endeavour House, 228 Union Str
Torquay
TQ2 5QS
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00017097
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Creative Writing: 'Roots' Creative Writing Group – Sense of Place: Showing & Telling

Master the art of setting and description with our Creative Writing: Sense of Place: Showing & Telling course. Learn how to create vivid, immersive settings in your writing that engage and captivate readers. Ideal for writers looking to enhance their descriptive writing skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 17/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Humphris
Course code:
Q00017784
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £64.75

Creative Writing: Sense of Place: Showing & Telling (Thursday)

Master the art of setting and description with our Creative Writing: Sense of Place: Showing & Telling course. Learn how to create vivid, immersive settings in your writing that engage and captivate readers. Ideal for writers looking to enhance their descriptive writing skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 03/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Humphris
Course code:
Q00017785
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

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:
£15

Creative Writing: Sense of Place: Showing & Telling (Friday)

Master the art of setting and description with our Creative Writing: Sense of Place: Showing & Telling course. Learn how to create vivid, immersive settings in your writing that engage and captivate readers. Ideal for writers looking to enhance their descriptive writing skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 06/06/2025
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Humphris
Course code:
Q00017786
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Music appreciation, memory and creative writing

This course will explore how listening to music can provide a vital stimulus to creative writing and reading. To this end, you will be encouraged to dig into your own records and CDs to find those tracks which could release the written word. You will also listen to a range of music and see where that mood takes your writing. There will also be the opportunity to study how other writers have use music as a vital creative stimulus.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 19/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Krowji (Redruth)
West Park
Redruth
TR15 3AJ
Tutor:
Mark Crees
Course code:
Q00016899
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Creative Writing: Writing to Music

Explore the connection between music and writing with our Creative Writing: Writing to Music course. Learn how to use music as inspiration for creative writing projects. Ideal for writers looking to experiment with new techniques and find fresh sources of inspiration.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 19/05/2025
Location:
Krowji (Redruth)
West Park
Redruth
TR15 3AJ
Course code:
Q00017002
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Literature: Ann Radcliffe to Jane Austen - Female Gothic and Literary Homage

This short course will provide the opportunity to study two novels by female authors that are thoughly connected in the minds of many people despite being published 26 years apart by two very different authors. Throughout Northanger Abbey Jane Austen makes many references to Ann Radcliffe’s classic gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho. These two novels, then, are connected in the minds of many readers and this course will provide the opportunity of looking at these two novels side-by-side. We will begin with Radcliffe’s 1794 novel The Mysteries of Udolpho and then look at Austen’s much loved Northanger Abbey, published posthumously in 1817.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 10/06/2025
Times:
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Exeter Community Centre (Exeter)
17 St. Davids Hill
Exeter
EX4 3RG
Tutor:
Greta Depledge
Course code:
Q00016876
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Foreign Languages: Advancing in Italian

Welcome to Term 3 of the Italian Course! This course enhances your Italian with practical topics to boost conversational skills. Learn to confidently order in restaurants, discuss weather conditions, talk about spare time activities, and describe people’s appearances and personalities. Interactive lessons include role-playing, listening exercises, and cultural insights for a comprehensive learning experience. By the end of the term, you’ll navigate restaurant menus, engage in weather conversations, describe hobbies, and portray individuals in Italian. Assessments through participation, quizzes, and assignments track your progress. Join us to deepen your Italian proficiency and cultural appreciation. Buon viaggio!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Giuseppa Perricone
Course code:
Q00016305
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

Creative Writing: Writing Your First Novel: Advanced

This course is a follow on to the previous ‘Writing Your First Novel: Next Level’ course, but suitable for newly enrolling students with experience writing fiction. 'Writing your first Novel: Advanced' is all about the deeper craft of creative writing—those elements that will make your work really stand out when you are making your first steps into the world of writing, regardless of whether you are planning on submitting your work, or if you are just writing for fun. Giving you the opportunity to develop an effective creative writing practice, and further personal development, especially if you want to get that first novel out of your head and onto paper.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Craig Rickard
Course code:
Q00009233
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00