WEA courses

Migration always brings a story. Whether migration stems from joyful exploration and curiosity, or is the result of loss, coercion or danger, each narrative tells us something new. In this course, we will be considering the portrayal of migration, the many contexts which lead to authors writing about migration, and how other themes are bound in with this idea. In our discussions together, we will be considering a wide range of texts and genres from across the ages, and working to expand our understanding of such a fundamental experience.

We will consider a range of films, from classics to contemporary cinema. We will discuss the style and meaning of diverse extracts drawing on key ideas from Film Studies. We will consider films from diverse countries, comparing and contrasting these with American and British cinema. The class will be organised around discussion of selected extracts, with guidance on points to look for, including different aspects of film such as the screenplay and cinematography. Students will be encouraged to develop their responses in small groups. Case studies will be included on Alfred Hitchcock and British cinema.

Participate in a community sewing project with our Textiles and Fashion: Spring Community Sewing Project 2 course. Learn advanced sewing techniques while working on collaborative projects. Ideal for sewing enthusiasts looking to connect with others and contribute to community initiatives.

Build on basic reading skills with these ESOL classes. This is an English course for beginners. It is aimed at speakers of other languages. ESOL courses help you learn basic English for life in the UK and improve your chances of finding work or study options. This ESOL entry 2 reading course builds on skills you learnt at entry 1. Grow your vocabulary and improve your reading skills in English. There are also writing and speaking & listening courses at this level. If you’re helping others find ESOL courses in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

Essex museums are full of wonderful and sometimes surprising objects. This course takes a selection of objects looked after in museums all over the county and uses them as sources for learning about everyday life in Essex in the past. Covering a range of themes and times the course will also give you some ideas for places to visit in your own time.

Would you like to start learning how to speak in Ukrainian? Would you like to communicate with your friends or colleagues who speak the language? Then this is the course for you. This is the basic course which runs for 8 weeks so you can learn the basics of the language. You do not have to do any assessments to join the course as this is for beginners. You will be taught by a qualified tutor who was born in Ukraine and has lived in the UK teaching English for a number of years.

Join us for this practical course aimed at improvers to explore creative ideas & learn techniques for making cards & decorative items with the personal touch for birthdays and Easter. Be inspired by the seasonal change to use cheerful colours and motifs. You will extend your papercraft skills to create handmade card, gift boxes and bags, and decorations. We will craft together step by step during the sessions & discuss ways the projects can be adapted, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. Learners will explore the choices of different papers, colours, patterns to suit the different projects. Projects will be discussed at the start of the course & different items will be made each week. You will be able to build upon skills learnt to experiment and perhaps inspire independent projects. Spring & Easter themes will be included in the projects. This course will explore possibilities to inspire creativity. This course is ideal for enthusiastic crafters wanting to experiment with different ideas that can be used for different occasions.

At the end of the First World War, Germany underwent dramatic change. The Kaiser abdicated, and the country emerged from a period of autocratic rule to embark on a bold and (on paper) very progressive experiment in republican democracy. At the same time, the victorious allies of the Great War imposed a punitive peace treaty on Germany at Versailles, reflecting their belief that Germany has caused the war and should pay the price. These changes, together with other factors such as the worldwide economic situation between the wars ushered in a period of social, political and financial turbulence in which Hitler and the Nazis would eventually rise to power.

Would you like to draw and paint but think you can't? Do you lack confidence in beginning your artistic journey? This course is suitable for anyone who wants to have a go but doesn't know where to start. Working with our experienced and friendly tutor you will explore the fundamentals of drawing and basic painting techniques. This is a beginners course where no prior experience is needed. Each week we will take a step by step approach to exploring the fundamentals of drawing, building up to experimenting with some basic techniques, that will pave a way into painting.

This course will help you if English is not your first language and if you are struggling to understand the vocabulary needed to pass the UK Driving Theory Test. During the course, we will cover the English technical language you are likely to need. You will also learn about the language used in the Highway Code and about transport in the UK. We will also cover road signs, road markings and the rules of driving. The course will help you to feel more confident that you are ready to apply for the Theory Test.