WEA courses

Develop essential English skills for the UK job market with our ESOL: Preparing for Work in the UK course. Focus on practical communication and job readiness skills. Ideal for non-native speakers looking to improve their employability in the UK.

Explore the captivating journey of writing, from ancient petrographs and petroglyphs on rocks to cutting-edge electronic communication systems. This course invites both beginners and those with prior knowledge who share an interest in history and writing. Over six weeks, taught online, engage in presentations and discussions, with convenient access to materials even after each session.

Welcome to the, ‘Reading Skills course’. This course is designed for ESOL Entry 2/3 students to improve their English reading abilities. Over the course, students will practice reading various texts, including stories, articles, and everyday materials like menus and signs. The course focuses on understanding vocabulary, sentence structure, and main ideas. Interactive activities include reading aloud, group discussions, and comprehension exercises. By the end of the course, students will have enhanced their reading skills, built a stronger vocabulary, and gained confidence in understanding and enjoying English texts.

Build your confidence and assertiveness with our Personal Development: Assertiveness Skills for Life course. Learn techniques for effective communication and self-expression. Ideal for individuals looking to improve their interpersonal skills and confidence.

The course examines the origins of the bitter struggle for the Crown of England in the mid-fifteenth century. It also considers the impact of events in France on England, the collapse of England’s continental possessions, the end of the Hundred Years' War, and its impact on events at home. It looks at the rivalries within the nobility and whether the civil war that resulted was inevitable. It was a time characterized by dynastic instability and political chaos. The shifting of leadership and loyalties within the noble houses, as well as the numerous claims to the throne, created a sense of uncertainty and mistrust among the ruling elite which fuelled the violence and bloodshed that historians call the Wars of the Roses.

Discover the fascinating history of writing with our History: History of Writing course. Learn about the development of writing systems and their impact on human civilization. Ideal for history enthusiasts and students of linguistics.

Get a teaching qualification and prepare to work in a variety of roles in education. Gain understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to work directly with children and young people. This qualification is for supporting teaching and learning in schools and colleges. You’ll learn core teaching skills that can be applied in various jobs. Some options include learning assistant, teaching assistant, or special needs assistant. It trains you to become a learning support practitioner. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. To join Supporting Teaching and Learning Level 3 (Q00015527), Follow the eligibility criteria: You need to have the L2 Award. You need to apply on Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Information and study skills L3. Q00015650. You need to complete BKSB Initial Assessment and to qualify you will need to have L1 English.

This practical course aims to help you to establish a coaching relationship, initiate productive coaching conversations and to challenge people to identify goals and grow professionally and personally. You would need to coach a colleague or someone else who wishes to be coached, as this is a practical course covering key skills including: questioning, goal-setting collaboratively and encouraging personal and professional growth.

The American Revolution was a remarkable event. This course will outline how the United States of America came into being. It will consider the implications of the ‘Glorious Cause’ for the inhabitants of the British colonies in North America and look at some of the issues that remained unresolved until another war and another time.

How do the popular representations of smuggling in novels, songs, poems, paintings and film match up to the reality? We will look at some of the enduring romantic depictions alongside official records to consider the reality of life for people up and down the Essex coast in the 18th century engaged in smuggling or the fight against it.