WEA courses

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.

This is a 7 week lecture style course. The Middle East is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term may have originated in the 1850s in the British India Office. However, it became more widely known when American naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan used the term in 1902 to designate the area between Arabia and India. Themes to be discussed will include : Long term Great Power involvement; Economic factors; Internal religious differences; Internal political rivalries; and Population movements. By the end of the course, you will be able to : Understand the factors which led to the present situation: Assess the position of individual states in the area; Discuss the attitudes of neighbouring states; Understand the differing positions of the Great Powers; and Assess the ongoing problems.

Build up your writing skills with these ESOL classes. This English course for beginners is aimed at speakers of other languages. It will help you learn writing skills that will support you to work or study in the UK. This ESOL entry 2 writing course builds on skills you learnt at entry 1. Expand your knowledge of grammar and improve your writing skills in English. There are also reading and speaking & listening courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place

Take your maths skills to the next level to help you with work or study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical numeracy skills for everyday life. This entry 3 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Functional skills maths courses aren’t like studying maths at school. You’ll learn maths in context. Develop maths skills to face real-life situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This entry 3 functional maths course is right for you if you want to enhance your maths skills to work or study. It can help you learn essential maths skills employers look for. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

This course is delivered in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and the Old School, for existing students on the Language@Work programme. Gain confidence in facing situations that require digital skills. Build on your basic computer skills in this introduction course and see how digital training can help to transform your life. This Digital Skills course is for people who want to improve their computer skills. Digital training teaches you skills for learning, life, and work. . Your friendly, positive tutor will guide you and there will be opportunity for practise.

Welcome to the Learning to Cook Life Skills Course! This course is perfect for beginners who want to learn essential cooking skills. You will learn how to prepare simple and healthy meals. We will teach you basic cooking techniques, such as chopping, boiling, and frying. You will also learn how to read recipes, measure ingredients, and use kitchen tools safely. Our friendly tutor will guide you through each step. By the end of the course, you will be able to cook delicious meals for yourself and your family. Join us and gain the confidence to cook at home! This course is only for those who are living in Southampton.

Welcome to the transformative journey into the art of Tunisian crochet at St. Mary's Pontefract. Students will master advanced stitches, including lace and bobble stitch using the swatches made to create a scarf or cowl to keep warm in the winter. In addition to honing their crochet skills, the course emphasises combatting social isolation through a supportive crochet community. Through shared experiences and meaningful connections, participants will experience improved social and emotional wellbeing.

This course is designed to work in conjunction with our entry level ESOL courses, and will allow learners to put the skills learnt in this course into practice. Learners will have the opportunity to develop relationships alongside each other, rehearsing spoken English in a fun and relaxed environment. These sessions are designed to add to learners wellbeing, as well as mastering their current learnt English.

Go behind the scenes of the Government Art Collection, a less well-known national art collection, with Chantal Condron, a former curator at the Collection. Discover the fascinating origins of its history, and the people and events that have shaped its past. Explore how and why artworks are acquired or commissioned and discover some of the locations where they have been displayed. We explore works across a range of media from paintings to film, by artists from the 16th to the 21st centuries, including Marcus Gheerhaerts the Younger, Thomas Phillips, Bridget Riley, Michael Armitage and recent Turner Prize winner, Jesse Darling.

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.