WEA courses

From the zenith of the Qing Empire in 1796 we trace the decline of China’s imperial reach through the 19th century. Western incursions and humiliations, the role of religion and opium, wars, reforms and rebellions will all be covered up to the fall of the dynasty in 1912 and the formation of China’s first republic. Major personalities such as the Empress Dowager Cixi, Sun-Yat-Sen, the Last Emperor and many more will be considered. We will consider the nature of court rule, the development of society and the economy as well as art, literature and philosophy.

Isolation includes solitude (choosing to be alone for contemplative or other good reasons) and social isolation (real or psychological separation from others, which can result in loneliness). Some artists need solitude to explore the world around them or to remove external pressures. Others use their work to express feelings of loneliness, whether from societal causes, unrequited love, illness, or other circumstances. Our speaker, Roger Wotton, will discuss a range of paintings that express, for example, the solitude found in nature, or the loneliness in urban living. He will consider, too, the most common example of isolation shown in art: the Crucifixion of Christ.

Explore the art of decoupage with our Craft: Delve into Decoupage course. Learn techniques for decorating objects with paper cutouts and other materials. Ideal for beginners and craft enthusiasts looking to enhance their creative skills.

Gain essential knowledge and skills for living and working in the UK with our comprehensive course. Learn about UK culture, employment rights, and practical tips for everyday life. Ideal for newcomers to the UK seeking to integrate smoothly and confidently.

This online interactive course will help you learn some of the useful vocabulary related to driving theory and will allow you to understand the main driving rules in the UK. You will have access to the official DVLA website to practise as well as suggested materials in canvas. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

We shall discuss the tidal waves of history which enabled the Low Countries to become the driving force in trade, exploration and also painting at this time. This course will educate and entertain those with an interest in the life and work of three of the greatest artists of their age and probably of all time – Pieter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer

As a parent or carer, you want the best for your children and you want to help them get the most out of their time at school. Join other parents like you, to discover more about what is taught in UK schools. During this course, you will learn how to support your child’s education in the UK. You will learn what you can do at home to help improve your child’s skills in maths and English. Find out more about how you can join the school community and meet other parents. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

Develop your English speaking and listening skills with our Pre-Entry ESOL: Confidence in English course. Focus on practical communication needed for everyday situations. Ideal for beginners looking to improve their basic English proficiency.

This ESOL Literature course is for E2/E3 students who want to improve their English. You will read and talk about different stories, poems, and parts of books. The course will help you understand what you read and learn new words. You will do fun activities, talk in groups, and write about what you read. This will help you get better at reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English. The course is designed to make learning enjoyable and to help you feel more confident using English.

Discover the wonderful practice of yoga with this introduction to yoga philosophy course according to Patanjali’s five foundational philosophical concepts (YAMAS) in the traditional text, THE YOGA . Whether you are seasoned yogi or just initiating an interest, you will love this course. This is a friendly course providing a nourishing blend between physical practice and theory. The aim is to help you discover how the practice of yoga can deepen your spiritual practice and bring more awareness to your life while practising having the self confidence to express yourself. It is ideal for those who want to keep physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually fit. It will offer you guidelines, like helping hands, to move you deeper into your own authenticity and into a life that is richer and fuller, simply because you are living with more skill. This course is ideal for people who like to contemplate how to live more skilfully as individuals and as a community.