WEA courses

In 1989, the songwriter Billy Joel was told by a friend that “Things are different today. You were a kid in the fifties, and everybody knows that nothing happened in the fifties.” As a result, he wrote ‘We didn’t start the fire’ to highlight how the post-war decades shaped the world we live in today. Join us for this fascinating 6 week course where you will look at the crucial events that occurred between 1940 and 1972 in USA and reflect about their significance back then as well as how it translates into today’s society.

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.

With the decline of the old Hollywood studio system, a new generation of film makers, many of them exposed to international cinema at film school, expressed themselves on screen with individual voices and a counter culture attitude. Key to this selection of films is the notion of a ‘crisis of public myth’ echoed throughout this period – just who are the heroes and who are the villains? We examine better known and continually highly acclaimed films such as Cool Hand Luke, was it just recycling the chain gang film or doing something more? The Outlaw Josey Wales as an example of the ‘Revisionist Western’ which came out of this period with its differing representation of the people and events of the Old West as previously seen in Classic Hollywood. The Last American Hero arguably questioning youthful attitudes, the law, freedom and the concept of the popular ‘folk heroes’ in a modern corporate world. Cult favourite, The Swimmer offering an example of more unusual comment on materialism, a crisis of national identity and more. With the Blues Brothers serving as an example a film carrying the New Hollywood baton in its attitude and approach after the blockbusters of the mid 1970s, mixing genres in a more comedic, musical and anti-realist style. All promoting knowledge of the subject matter and enthusiasm for film in general. Cool Hand Luke (1967), The Last American Hero (1973), The Swimmer (1968), The Blues Brothers (1980), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

Start your week with a fun and feelgood hour of breathing, stretching and dancing. Keep fit, move and groove to some uplifting and energising music. During this five-week course you’ll learn some funky DISCO steps and complete some simple choreography. Dancing is proven to be good for your body and your mind. For improving your cognitive skills. Through learning a simple dance routine, you will: improve flexibility, minimize stress, increase energy levels and have better coordination, balance and strength. So come and release your inner disco diva and dance like no-one (or maybe everyone!) is watching.

This is part two of the beginners ESOL course. It is a continuation from part 1. This course is for people who live in Coventry who are beginners in learning English. It is a face-to-face course. The course will help you to start using English every day ready to apply for work in the UK. It will also improve your confidence to speak to people in English in other everyday situations, like going to the doctor, shopping, using public transport and speaking to your child’s teachers. You will start to learn some of the words and phrases needed to feel part of your community and become more independent in your life in the UK. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

Take your reading skills to the next level with these ESOL classes. Feel comfortable reading and understanding different types of texts in English. Improved reading skills can make life in the UK easier for you. This ESOL entry 3 reading course builds on skills you learnt at entry 2. You’ll continue to expand your vocabulary and reading skills. 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.

Gain access to the essentials of modern life through vital digital skills in this beginner-ESOL learner friendly course. Tailored for ESOL learners lacking confidence in using laptop computers, this program equips beginners with fundamental skills. Learn to access services, apply for jobs, save work, and ensure online safety. The course targets ESOL learners who have limited laptop experience and seek greater proficiency. Dive into the digital era, building confidence and competence in utilizing technology to navigate various aspects of contemporary living. Join this this course to unlock the potential of digital tools and enhance your ability to engage with today's interconnected world.

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Thrive in a Changing World: Build Your Emotional Resilience Feeling overwhelmed by life's constant challenges? This 7-week Emotional Resilience course equips you with powerful tools to navigate uncertainty and build inner strength. Explore how your thoughts, emotions, and experiences influence your mental well-being and overall resilience. Discover effective coping strategies to manage stress, stay positive, and communicate effectively in your social circles. By examining your life perspective and approach, you'll gain the confidence to recharge your batteries and cultivate a more positive outlook.

You will learn core skills that boost your confidence, such as emailing files, creating letters, and designing posters. Building on the skills gained in Part 1, this course focuses primarily on Microsoft Word. You will master document formatting, efficient file management, and creative design techniques. By the end of the course, you will be proficient in using Word to produce professional documents, effectively communicate via email, and create visually appealing posters, ensuring you are well-prepared for various digital tasks. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Participants must live in Coventry Area Postcodes CV1 to CV6 inclusive.