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: Art and the Arts in 1960s

An oversimplified view but still a very useful one is that in the 1950s there was still largely a respect for “tradition”. By contrast the 1960s saw challenges to all traditions and conventions. In many areas of public and private life, traditional conventions were challenged. In the theatre world, “kitchen sink drama” appeared. In the visual arts, artists produced even more abstract individualistic products, with “installations” replacing paintings and sculpture. Music became even more experimental. In the course, these developments and many others will be illustrated, including projects of the decade which we still enjoy.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Colin Lomas
Course code:
Q00017378
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £72.00

Art Appreciation: Modern Architecture

This 6-week course takes you on a journey through the evolution of modern architecture, starting with the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th century and culminating in the bold works of Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. We’ll explore key architectural movements, including Art Deco, Bauhaus, Modernism, and Brutalism, highlighting their cultural significance, design principles, and iconic buildings. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how architecture reflects social, political, and technological changes, and how architects challenge traditional forms to shape the skylines of today. Ideal for architecture enthusiasts and those curious about the evolution of built space.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021430
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Literature: The Golden Age of British Crime Fiction

This course will explore the period known as The Golden Age of British Crime Fiction. We will discuss the following four novels over an eight week period: A Murder is Announced - Agatha Christie. The Crime at Black Dudley - Margery Allingham. Whose Body - Dorothy L. Sayers. The Daughter of Time - Josephine Tey. Our discussions will focus on the relationships between the authors and their crime solvers, the presentation of class and manners and the British fascination with murder which effloresces during the first 50 years of the twentieth century. Come along and enjoy lively discussions of these sometimes familiar texts.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 21/07/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021478
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Art Appreciation: Art in Australia: Past and Present

This online course offers an in-depth exploration of the rich and diverse artistic traditions of Australia, spanning thousands of years. You will discover the country’s fascinating artistic heritage, from ancient Aboriginal rock art—dating back over 28,000 years—to contemporary works that reflect the cultural evolution of the region. We will examine both Indigenous artistic traditions (such as bark painting) and the European influences that arrived with colonisation (such as Impressionist landscape painting), analysing how these styles interact and shape Australian art today. This course provides an engaging and thought-provoking introduction. Join us for a journey through Australia's unique artistic landscape! No previous knowledge required.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021431
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Creative Writing: moments of looking - creative writing and photos

This course will explore how photos can be used as a vital stimulus for creative writing. Over two days, you will look at the work of some of the world’s finest photographers, from André Kertesz, to Walker Evans and Garry Winogrand. Using these images as starting point, the course will explore how other photos can be used as a means of unlocking your own powers of creative writing and observation. The course will also look at how established authors have used photographs in their own work, from John Berger, to Susan Sontag, Tony Harrison and Geoff Dyer

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 10/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Kresen Kernow (Redruth)
Kresen Kernow
Little Vauxhall
Redruth
TR15 1AS
Tutor:
Mark Crees
Course code:
Q00016900
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Art Appreciation: Renaissance art in 16th century Europe

This course in art appreciation provides close attentions to particular works of art from Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer to Michelangelo and Pieter Breughel. The focus will be upon specific paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings in relation to who the works were for, how the decisions about visual presentations were determined and the integration of pictorial practice with contemporary ideas. The course uses a secure digital learning portal for all the classes and for communications with the tutor and access to learning materials. The course would be appropriate for both experienced viewers of art and those new to the subject.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
11:15am - 12:45pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Allen Fisher
Course code:
Q00019460
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Creative Writing for Wellbeing

Begin your yoga journey with our Healthy Living: Yoga course. Learn the foundational principles of yoga, including breathwork, meditation, and basic poses. Ideal for individuals new to yoga or those looking to refresh their practice.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 04/06/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Shekinah Endeavour House (Torquay)
Endeavour House, 228 Union Str
Torquay
TQ2 5QS
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00017104
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Art Appreciation: Art of Indigenous Cultures: Sami, Aboriginal, Native American and More

In this course, we will focus on artworks that are rarely studied in themselves: the art objects and artworks created by indigenous peoples. Come and learn about the artistic traditions of Native American peoples, of the Sami, of Aboriginal Australians, and more. You will discover cultures that are under-represented within the art world. We will discuss the styles, and types of art that are favoured by specific groups, as well as the narratives that are expressed in these artefacts. A focus on contemporary indigenous artists will allow us to discuss matters of exclusion, assimilation, and environmentalism.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 05/06/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021444
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Art Appreciation: The Emergence of Art Photography (1839 -1920)

This three-hour session explores the rise of photography as an art form from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. We will examine key movements, including Pictorialism, and the work of pioneers such as Nadar, Julia Margaret Cameron, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, and Paul Strand. The session will discuss how photographers used soft focus, composition, and printing techniques to elevate photography beyond documentation into artistic expression. We will also explore photography’s relationship with modernism and its dialogue with painting. Learners will gain insight into how photography secured its place in the art world.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/06/2025 -
Fri 06/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021437
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Creative Writing: Finding Your Voice, Write the Story, Poem, Memoir

Whether you want to write memoirs, a novel, stories or poetry or for personal development come along and join this friendly day course. We will explore creative writing as therapy and the development of your writing skills, imagination and confidence. We will look at different ways of writing about life experience, memory, incidents and details that illustrate a narrative and how the use of imagination creates many forms of writing, such as stories poem and memoirs.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 07/06/2025 -
Sat 07/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stella Stocker
Course code:
Q00021298
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £20.35