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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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

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.

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:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

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

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

Art Appreciation: Art of Christmas - Christmas images and how artists interpret the Christmas story

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. This study day will examine the historicity of the gospel stories and how they have been interpreted by artists through the centuries. A wide range of art will be shown and there will be space for discussion and for learners to offer their own suggestions and experiences.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 12/12/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Lawrence Parish Rooms (Winchester)
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LH
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00016856
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £23.10

Art Appreciation: Local Artists Part 4

This 5 week course delves into the works of five local artists, featuring Robert J. Clitherow, Peter Coker, Henry Collins, Hugh Verschoyle Cronyn and Charles Debenham. Each week explores key art concepts including, colour and composition through samples of their work. You will engage in group discussions, take notes and recall information. By the end of the course, you will be able to notice significant local artists, describe their artistic methods, spot similarities and differences among local artists, deconstruct essential components of artworks and select a preferred piece based on personal opinion

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/12/2024 -
Fri 24/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Castle Methodist Church (Colchester)
Maidenburgh Street
Colchester
CO1 1TT
Tutor:
Abbie Cairns
Course code:
Q00017690
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Art Appreciation: Japonisme: Japanese influence in Monet, Van Gogh’s and other modern painter’s art

Explore the captivating influence of Japanese prints on modern art in the second half of the 19th century in this 3-hour session. We’ll dive into how Japanese aesthetics reshaped European art in the late 19th century, inspiring artists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Whistler. Through ukiyo-e prints, minimalism, and asymmetry, Japan’s artistic elements transformed Western approaches to composition, colour, and subject matter. The session will include an illustrated lecture and a couple of group discussions, to deepen your understanding of what Japonisme was, and the ways it impacted movements such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Art Nouveau. Perfect for art enthusiasts eager to trace the roots of cross-cultural exchanges that forever changed the trajectory of modern art.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/12/2024 -
Mon 16/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019825
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Appreciation: How to Interpret Paintings

Have you ever wondered what a painting means, and how to figure out what it is about? This session will give you some keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of paintings. We will mainly focus on interpretative skills: how do we identify the type of subject matter? How do we recognise and decipher symbols? Where can we find clues? And, can we rely on our subjective interpretation? This is quite literally an “eye-opener”, and should make your next visits to art galleries even more enjoyable!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/12/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019748
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10