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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Film & Media: World Cinema

Explore the rich diversity of world cinema with our comprehensive course. Analyse films from various cultures and countries, understanding their historical, social, and artistic significance. Ideal for film enthusiasts and those interested in global cinema.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 26/11/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00017642
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Singing: Reaching Out

If you enjoy music, then this course is for you! We will be doing some listening and moving to music. You may like to follow some of the rhythms in the music and play or sing along. There will be some old favourites for you to enjoy and maybe even remember the words. We may learn something new, just to give ourselves a bit of a challenge! We may even compose our own songs! But don’t worry, there will be plenty of help to make this easy! No experience is needed to take part in this course. Taking part will lift your spirits and make your heart sing! The Reaching Out Programme classes are open to people living in the community that can have their needs met by the class. This is a class for people with a learning disability.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Aldingbourne Trust
Blackmill Lane
Norton
Chichester
PO18 0JP
Tutor:
Josephine Allum
Course code:
Q00013251
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.90

British Literature in the 1950s

In this course we will discuss and analyse the following authors and their works. These are: Look Back in Anger - John Osborne. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Muriel Spark. The Vet's Daughter - Barbara Comyns. A Voice Through A Cloud - Denton Welch. A Kind of Loving - Stan Barstow. These texts are an eclectic blend of plays, novels and the autobiographical in the case of Denton Welch, an eccentric and now largely forgotten. There will be great scope for discussion and the voicing of opinions, and you will be encouraged to develop your own theories and interpretations in a supportive atmosphere.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 27/11/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Duke Street Church
Quadrant Road
Richmond
TW9 1DH
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017580
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Foreign Languages: Learning Italian

Welcome to the Italian Beginners Course! Embark on an exciting journey to learn the basics of Italian. Through fun, interactive lessons, you'll master common greetings, essential vocabulary, and pronunciation. Progress to basic conversations about everyday topics like food, travel, and hobbies. You'll learn to order in a bar, discuss friends and family, and ask for simple touristic information. Explore Italian culture, traditions, and landmarks to deepen your understanding. By the end of the course, you'll feel confident introducing yourself in Italian and engaging in simple conversations. Let’s begin this adventure together! Buon viaggio! (Have a good journey!)

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 04/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Giuseppa Perricone
Course code:
Q00015934
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
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

Art Appreciation: A Background to the Arts

In 3 introductory sessions, looking at classical antiquity, the Tudor period and the Industrial Revolution, we will learn how to analyse works of art- paintings and objects. We will focus on one object a week, building our skills of art analysis as we go. As an extension to the course, the Branch will be running a Learning Circle which students are invited to join and continue the process of analysing items of art.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 02/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St John the Baptist Church Meeting Room
55 Main Road
Danbury
CM3 4NG
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018511
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list (Join waiting list)
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Intermediate Spanish

Build up your knowledge of everyday Spanish and gain confidence communicating on your next trip. These intermediate Spanish lessons will boost your language skills so you feel comfortable communicating in everyday situations. Order food and drink, ask for directions, and understand basic instructions. After this intermediate Spanish language course, you'll feel confident expressing yourself in Spanish.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 27/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Morpeth Methodist Church (Morpeth)
Howard Terrace
Morpeth
NE61 1HU
Tutor:
Ignacio Gonzalez
Course code:
Q00018743
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Singing:

If you enjoy music, then this course is for you! We will be doing some listening and moving to music. You may like to follow some of the rhythms in the music and play or sing along. There will be some old favourites for you to enjoy and maybe even remember the words. We may learn something new, just to give ourselves a bit of a challenge! We may even compose our own songs! But don’t worry, there will be plenty of help to make this easy! No experience is needed to take part in this course. Taking part will lift your spirits and make your heart sing! The Reaching Out Programme classes are open to people living in the community that can have their needs met by the class. This is a class for people with a learning disability.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Chestnuts (Bognor Regis)
London Road
Bognor Regis
PO21 1AZ
Tutor:
Josephine Allum
Course code:
Q00010876
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.90

Music:

The course aims to encourage you to attend art exhibitions and/or musical events with a greater background knowledge in order to enhance appreciation. If actual attendance is not possible, to undertake independent research and hence, enjoy a more active and cultural lifestyle. The class also offers an opportunity for you to interact socially with like-minded people in intellectual pursuits. It also encourages you to acquire critical and analytical skills through debate and discussion. The course covers all styles and periods from the Renaissance to the present day. It is multi media to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. It is suitable for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 28/11/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Wanstead House (London)
21 The Green
Wanstead
London
E11 2NT
Tutor:
Andrew Rothwell
Course code:
Q00017607
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Literature: Nordic Noir

This course will examine the publishing phenomenon of Nordic Noir, locating its roots in the early twentieth century, before exploring four contemporary novels from the genre. Our texts will be Doctor Glas by Hjalmar Soderberg; Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg; The Bird Tribunal - Agnes Ravatn; The Flatey Enigma - Viktor Arnor Ingolfson and Missing - Karin Alvtegen. These texts will take us inside the mind of Nordic Noir and we will evaluate the common features of the genre and its relationship with crime-fiction, horror and recent forms of Gothic literature. There will be ample scope for lively discussion in our sessions

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 28/11/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017459
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Foreign Languages: Conversations on Art and Culture, in French

Would you like to learn about art and at the same time practice your French? This course is for you! During ten weeks, we will discuss a series of topics related to art and culture. The course aims to enrich your knowledge of art history, develop your French vocabulary, and boost your confidence when speaking French. Please see the longer description for a list of the themes we will study. . Language skills: This is not a language course. To follow this course, it is desirable to have a good level in French (probably upper intermediate, or B2 and above). The group will be small and the atmosphere relaxed and tolerant. If your French is a bit rusty, it is OK! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Times:
1:15pm - 3:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00017439
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £74.00