WEA courses

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. It provides for those who enjoy art, but cannot normally gain access to art classes, with the opportunity to complete a number of exciting and accessible projects. The projects include drawing, colouring-in, painting animals and faces and making posters – all in a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment.

Does the thought of using computers, the internet and other digital technologies leave you feeling out of touch and overwhelmed? Have you thought about gaining some digital skills but didn’t know quite where to turn? If the answer to these questions is a resounding “Yes!” then you will feel right at home on our new Digital Skills for Everyday Living course. Here at the WEA, we have been busy developing this new and exciting course for people with little or no experience of digital technologies who want to acquire the skills to become ‘digitally literate’ in their everyday life and work. Our aim is to empower you to confidently engage with the digital world of laptops, smart phones, email, news, word processing, social media, entertainment, shopping and more.

Come and join us to discover the fun and rewarding world of creating your own clothes! On this 10-week course, we will explore some of the essential sewing techniques needed to create some unique and personal garments. Discover how to use a sewing machine confidently and develop some technical skills such as measuring, inserting zips, adding piping and making darts plus using embellishing techniques to give your projects a professional and beautiful finish. As well as developing sewing skills, we will explore ways of creating clothes sustainably and ethically to reduce our impact on the environment and save money.

The Church has historically been a major patron of the arts, and all major artists have works in church buildings around Europe. From Saxon wall paintings and lavish medieval alter pieces, to contemporary installations in Cathedrals, this course looks at the variety of art commissioned by the Church, from the Sistine Chapel ceiling to Victorian church textiles. We discuss where good examples can be seen in this country, including stained glass and sculpture. The way in which art in Churches has reflected the major art history developments is at the core of this course.

For the last century, crime fiction has been the most popular and lucrative of literary subgenres. But this commercial success belies a formal inventiveness and experiment, a constant drive to ‘make it new’, which has long been central to the genre. In this course we will read six crime novels (and three short stories) which chart the development of crime fiction. As well as considering each of these novels in isolation from week to week, we will also use the eight week course to ask ourselves: how has crime fiction changed through the years, and how has it remained the same? No previous knowledge of crime fiction is necessary – everybody is most welcome!

If you enjoy music, then this course is for you! No experience is needed to take part in this course. This is a class for people with a learning disability. Join us as we listen and move to the rhythm of the music; or maybe you'd even like to sing along! We will enjoy some old favourites and also enjoy something new. The Reaching Out Programme classes are open to people living in the community that can have their needs met by the class.

Polish your reading skills in English. This level 2 ESOL course teaches you advanced knowledge to help you read and understand a variety of texts in English. Improved reading skills can open doors to work and study options in the UK. This ESOL level 2 reading course builds on skills you learnt at level 1. Practise and perfect your reading skills in English while expanding your vocabulary. This is an English course for adults. It is aimed at speakers of other languages. ESOL courses are divided into three areas: reading, writing, and speaking & listening. If you’re helping others find ESOL courses in the UK, you’ve come to the right place. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

This course is for women only. It will be held at the Dolphin Women's Centre, Washwood Heath, Birmingham and is an ESOL course for beginners. The course will help you to develop your basic speaking and listening, reading and writing skills in English. This is an English course aimed at adults for whom English is not their first language. You will get lots of opportuntities to practice your new English skills in groups and individually, you will also be given homework tasks so you can continue to practice at home.. If you are suipporting someone to find an English class you have come to the right place.

This course will prepare you to join the full ESOL Level1 Speaking & Listening course in September. Feel confident starting your level 1 ESOL course with this ESOL preparation course. It is designed to prepare you for the ESOL level 1 speaking and listening course. Learn key verbal communication skills you’ll need for the level 1 ESOL course in speaking and listening to set yourself up for success. Get ready courses help you learn English at your own pace. They give you extra study time for each level and module so you can reach your full potential. This is a non-accredited English course for adults. If you’re helping others access level 1 ESOL courses in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

Develop foundational reading skills with this non-accredited entry 1 English course for beginners. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn basic English to study, work, and live in the UK. This ESOL reading course helps people who are just starting to learn English. It will help you gain confidence reading short texts and common words in English. There are also writing and speaking & listening courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place. What we’ll cover: - Learn to identify common English words in everyday situations. - Understand signs, symbols and texts you will come across. - Read information about timetables, prices, and schedules. - Understand the purpose of different texts, including adverts, posters, and news articles. - Understand how punctuation is used to help you read more easily.