WEA courses

Welcome to the Beginners Creative Writing Course! This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior writing experience. Start with the very basics of creative writing, including understanding different genres, brainstorming ideas, and writing simple sentences. Participate in fun, guided exercises to ignite your creativity and build your writing confidence. Learn how to express your thoughts clearly and creatively. By the end of the course, you'll have written your first short piece and gained the foundational skills to continue exploring creative writing. Join us and discover the joy of writing! This course is running on a Thursday 10am until 11:30am.

A fun, friendly and structured approach to our develop fiction writing knowledge, skills and importantly aid you in finding inspiration, putting pen paper and getting writing. Whatever you might like to write or already enjoy writing, be it short stories, longer tales, mystery, crime, a touch of the gothic or whatever takes your interest - there will be a plot to suit your idea and/or help you find inspiration and take it further. Find inspiration as we consider the how a different plot may aid with a specific theme or topic, the development of characters and your choice of words and description. This course will make use of a mix of informal feedback, lecture using PowerPoint slides, some focused group discussion/creative tasks in smaller breakout groups and feedback. Session by session we examine a different ‘plot’ and apply some creative craft to it, might it yield the perfect motivation for a crime, is three a secret a character wishes to keep? What kind of story suits a particular plot – flash fiction, a cautionary tale or a longer and more complex tale? We examine the varied forms and approaches, how have others approached similar tales and what might work best for us now. Suitable for the curious beginner and/or the seasoned scribbler.

This course gives students - from beginners to improvers - the opportunity to explore different landscape painting approaches and techniques in a relaxed and supportive environment. It explores a range of styles, from the conventional and representational to more experimental and avant-garde approaches. Our highly experienced tutor, who is a practicing artist, provides practical and supportive advice on colour mixing, tonal variation, acrylic techniques, mark-making and composition, encouraging students to explore their own personal enthusiasms to make individual and original paintings. Source photographs will be provided online but students may use their own photos and other sources.

If you are thinking about a career in teaching, this introductory course is for you. Teaching assistants are an integral part of the classroom. Not only do they provide vital support for pupils, but they also support the teaching that takes place. This course is ideal if you would like to know more about working as a teaching assistant. The role varies widely with some specialising in certain areas of education such as literacy, numeracy, music, specific learning needs and other disability support, English as a second language or behaviour. Teaching assistants can be found in schools for Early Years right through to secondary schools, and the number of TAs in one school can vary widely depending on necessity and amount of funding provided. This course will give you information about working as a teaching assistant (also known as a classroom assistant, a pupil support assistant, a teacher's aide, or abbreviated as a TA) and how you can provide support to teachers by providing teaching and learning support in whatever way possible.

This course will consider in detail three plays which utilise the motif of ‘shipwreck’ as a central plot device. The plays are from the middle and later part of Shakespeare’s career: ‘Twelfth Night’; ‘Pericles’; and ‘The Tempest’ respectively. Each draws on shipwreck as an element drawn from the genre of romance, and incorporates this, in varying degrees from play to play, with elements drawn from comedy. We will explore this generic mix and consider how the tensions between them enrich and complicate the plots, tones and outcomes of each play. We will place each play in its original historical and dramatic context, and consider how each relates to Shakespeare's developing approach to genre. We will look at each work in detail, both on the page and (using clips from DVDs) on the stage, to build up a richer understanding of Shakespeare's experiments with genre at the middle and later periods of his career.

This drama course is designed for adult learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (LLDD). Utilizing the Bradford Anti-Poverty Strategy, the course encourages participants to explore their personal and community histories through maps and geographical locations. Learners will use these maps as a basis for creating characters and stories, drawing inspiration from both personal experiences and historical events. The course aims to foster creativity, build confidence, and develop storytelling skills in an inclusive and safe environment. Guided by an experienced tutor, participants will gain a deeper understanding of their own identities and the places that shape their lives.

This comprehensive sewing course is designed for beginners looking to develop essential sewing skills and knowledge. The curriculum covers everything from understanding the key components and stitches of a sewing machine to mastering beginner techniques like sewing in circles and straight lines. Students will learn how to work with various fabrics, create a tote bag, and use commercial patterns effectively. The course also explores the basics of hand-sewing, zipper installation, and topstitching. Additionally, students will gain practical insights into marketing their sewing projects, including using social media, creating adverts, and developing a one-page business plan using the Business Canvas Model.

Do you lack the confidence to talk to others, or complete forms, speak with your child's schools, or discuss other issues. And not sure where to get support? This course aims to increase your confidence in using English in everyday situations building confidence and motivation. Come an learn in a friendly environment and discover more about your local community. This course will also support you to make new friends and learn how to plan activities using social media and community connections.

This short course is aimed at anyone who is involved in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and would like some basic tips and suggestions on how to do this. You may be a volunteer at a drop-in centre or you may have started a new role helping people from a range of backgrounds to learn English. We will look at ideas and activities for including beginners as well as those with a higher level of skill. There will be a focus on teaching asylum seekers and refugees who may not attend regularly, but are keen to improve their English skills.

Welcome to An Introduction to Using Computers and Digital Devices! This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the basics of using digital devices effectively. In today's world, digital devices are ubiquitous, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and desktop computers. Understanding how to navigate and utilize these devices is essential for both personal and professional endeavours.