WEA courses

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.

This intermediate short course is for participants who have already reached a Level 1 ESOL standard. The course aims to help students and employees to practise their Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening skills to increase their confidence and competence to take IELTS tests.

The course provides an introduction to Impressionist painting in France in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The course uses a selected number of paintings including work by Claude Monet and Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Berthe Morisot together with a number of lesser known artists. These provide the basis for the beginnings of an appreciation and understanding of some of the exciting ideas in aesthetics and philosophy of the period. The selection will encourage a focus on the paintings with themes and attentions implied in the course title, from working with sketches in the studio to painting in the open air.

Prepare for your driving theory test with our Level 1 ESOL: ESOL Driving Theory course. Learn the rules of the road, traffic signs, and essential safety information needed to pass the test. Ideal for non-native speakers seeking to improve their English and obtain their driving licence.

Continue your exploration of literature with our Literature: Literature: A Good Read Learn about key works and authors, and develop your literary analysis skills. Ideal for literature enthusiasts and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of fiction.

If you wonder how people uncover information in the public interest that would usually remain in the dark, this course on investigative journalism is for you. This introductory course highlights the skills needed by investigative journalists when they conduct public interest investigations. Participants explore ways of reporting and editing stories, especially those which usually go unreported. The course will cover definitions of investigative journalism; how to find and plan an investigative story and which sources might be available. It gives a brief introduction to some of the legal and regulatory aspects of journalism.

Incorporated lifeskills useful in the community such as mental health and wellbeing, supporting students to meditate in the class, and learn art techniques to help slow the mind down, focus on detail and express themselves in a creative way. They also learn about listening and following instructions, respecting each other, joining in group discussions and completing group projects.

Develop foundational reading skills with this entry 1 English course for beginners. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn basic English to study, work, and live in the UK. This ESOL reading course helps people who are just starting to learn English. It will help you gain confidence reading short texts and common words in English. There are also writing 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. What we’ll cover: - Learn to identify common English words in everyday situations. - Understand signs, symbols and texts you will come across. - Read information about timetables, prices, and schedules. - Understand the purpose of different texts, including adverts, posters, and news articles. - Understand how punctuation is used to help you read more easily.

Develop foundational writing skills with this non-accredited Pre-entry Writing course. This English course is for speakers of other languages and is a face-to-face class in a local centre. This ESOL writing course helps people who are just starting to learn English. It will help you gain confidence writing the alphabet, writing short simple sentences, and common words in English. What we will cover: - Write the letters of the alphabet in upper and lower case; write simple sentences using basic punctuation; common English words that are used in everyday situations, complete very simple applications with personal details, and write simple text messages.

Discover the art of precision and creativity in our Sewing for Business Course. Dive into the fundamentals of machine sewing, mastering essential techniques and garment construction. From threading the needle to embellishing, you'll gain hands-on experience and the confidence to bring your design ideas to life. In parallel, embark on a beginner business journey, learning the basics of entrepreneurship for a sewing venture. Explore market trends, pricing strategies, and customer engagement to turn your passion into a profitable enterprise. Join us for a transformative learning experience that blends craftsmanship with entrepreneurial acumen, equipping you for success in the world of sewing and business.