Courses to improve communication skills  

Communication is essential to everyday life. It helps you builds relationships, and understand the world around you. We can communicate in many ways, from writing to speaking to using sign language. Improving your communication skills helps you connect with other people.  

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Find your voice

Find your voice with one of our adult education courses. From British Sign Languages courses to adult literacy classes - build your skills. Find fun and helpful courses to help reach your goals.  Learning with the WEA is not like school. It’s learning made for adults and you’ll be taught by supportive tutors. 

Boost your literacy

Boost your English skills, and get a better understanding of grammar. Learn the basics to move onto to a Functional English Skills course. Improve your spelling and gain confidence in reading, with an adult literacy course. Improving your reading and writing as an adult is not as hard as you might think.  

Hearing loss and signing

If you are losing your hearing or you know someone who is hearing impaired, you might need to find new ways to communicate. Develop lip-reading skills and find a supportive class to manage hearing loss. Find BSL signing courses for beginners. Learn to sign basic words then build your sign language skills to have conversations.  Whether you want to learn British Sign Language for yourself or so you can talk to others, take a course with us.  

Makaton signing is different to BSL. It is a way to communicate with people with speech difficulties or SEN. Over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton to communicate. It is very useful if you want to work with people with learning difficulties or you are a carer for a child with special needs. Our Makaton courses help reach people who need you most. If you want to learn Makaton signing, sign up for one of our courses today. 

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Advanced British Sign Language

Learn to have in-depth interactions in BSL. Embrace inclusive communication and help dismantle communication barriers in society. Knowing how to sign can help you in a variety of situations where you need to interact with deaf people. This BSL course is suitable for you if you need to communicate with deaf people or people with hearing impairments. It can help you in a variety of contexts, for example in a voluntary or community role, or simply in social interactions. This course is aimed at advanced-level learners who have a solid base in British Sign Language (BSL). If you are not at an advanced level yet, you can take a beginner’s or improver’s BSL course.
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Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 14/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Helen Watson
Course code:
Q00018017
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Beginners British Sign Language

This is a Basic BSL course that will cover a range of different topics to help to build the learners sign vocabulary, and perhaps evoke a desire to learn more sign, to enable more communication, with the deaf community!
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Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 30/06/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Cleghorn
Course code:
Q00012518
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list (Waiting list)
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Intermediate British Sign Language (BSL)

Knowing how to sign can make your communication more inclusive for everyone you interact with. Build on your skills in British Sign Language to be able to have deeper interactions with deaf people. This BSL course is suitable for you if you need to communicate with deaf people or people with hearing impairments. It can help you in a variety of contexts, for example in a voluntary or community role, or simply through social interactions. This course is aimed at intermediate learners. You will build on your existing BSL skills. If you would like to start from scratch, you can take the beginner’s BSL course.
View details
Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 14/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
WHIST (South Shields)
Salus House
33 Mile end Road
South Shields
NE33 1TA
Tutor:
Joanne Liddle
Course code:
Q00021939
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Makaton

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.
View details
Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 21/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Easington Lane Community Access Point
Easington Lane
Houghton - le- Spring
DH5 0LE
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00022201
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

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Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Communicating with Confidence

This micro course is designed for learners who want to improve their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves. On this short course you will explore techniques for clear and effective communication in different situations, including conversations, group discussions, and presentations. The course covers essential skills such as active listening, body language, and managing nerves when speaking. Through practical exercises and supportive feedback, you will gain the confidence to communicate assertively and positively in personal, professional, and community settings. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their self-expression and build stronger connections with others.
View details
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 30/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021693
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Makaton Next steps

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.
View details
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Heart on the Terrace
8 Woods Terrace
Murton
North East
SR7 9AA
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00022200
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Communicating with Confidence

This micro course is designed for learners who want to improve their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves. On this short course you will explore techniques for clear and effective communication in different situations, including conversations, group discussions, and presentations. The course covers essential skills such as active listening, body language, and managing nerves when speaking. Through practical exercises and supportive feedback, you will gain the confidence to communicate assertively and positively in personal, professional, and community settings. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their self-expression and build stronger connections with others.
View details
Dates:
Wed 07/05/2025 -
Wed 07/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021695
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Beginners Lip Reading

This course is designed to equip participants with essential lip-reading skills. You will learn to recognise common lip movements, apply practical strategies for daily communication, understand effective communication techniques, and explore technology solutions for emergency situations. Through hands-on exercises and online resources, you will develop the confidence to engage in conversations with ease. The course is only open for referred patients from the Audiology Department who fund these courses. Please quote the code that is stated in your letter to book on,
View details
Dates:
Fri 09/05/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Independent Living Centre
Unit 3A
Hazeldine House
Telford
TF3 4JL
Tutor:
Sally Joyner
Course code:
Q00021509
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Communicating with Confidence

This micro course is designed for learners who want to improve their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves. On this short course you will explore techniques for clear and effective communication in different situations, including conversations, group discussions, and presentations. The course covers essential skills such as active listening, body language, and managing nerves when speaking. Through practical exercises and supportive feedback, you will gain the confidence to communicate assertively and positively in personal, professional, and community settings. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their self-expression and build stronger connections with others.
View details
Dates:
Wed 14/05/2025 -
Wed 14/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021697
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Makaton

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.
View details
Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Mon 28/07/2025
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Course code:
Q00022157
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00