WEA courses

The course aims to encourage learners to attend art exhibitions and/or musical events with a greater background knowledge in order to enhance appreciation. If actual attendance is not possible, to undertake independent research and hence, enjoy a more active and cultural lifestyle. The class also offers an opportunity for learners to interact socially with like- minded people in intellectual pursuits. It also encourages learners to acquire critical and analytical skills through debate and discussion. The course covers all styles and periods from the Renaissance to the present day. It is multi media to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. It is suitable for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Over 5 hours in one weekend, you’ll set a daily achievable goal, refresh an element of story craft through the tutor’s stimulating exercises and extracts from published texts and write! We’ll immerse ourselves in short and longer writing exercises and get feedback from the tutor and peers when you share in pairs. Imagine the amount of work and momentum you’ll build over these two mornings. Set yourself up for success.

The Get Ready for Entry 2 ESOL Writing Course is designed to equip learners with the essential writing skills needed to succeed in the Entry 2 ESOL writing exam. Through a variety of exercises and activities, learners will develop their ability to write clear, coherent, and grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs. The course covers a range of writing types, including descriptive, narrative, persuasive, and formal and informal writing. Learners will also practice using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to express their ideas effectively. Throughout the course, learners will receive regular feedback from their teacher and peers to help them improve their writing skills. The course culminates in preparation for the Entry 2 ESOL writing exam, where learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the course material and their ability to apply their writing skills in a real-world context. This course is funded by the Education Skills and Funding Agency.

The postwar period saw a major change in the significance of the short story in the USA and Canada, as it developed into a form for more serious explorations of character and psychology. Each week we will look at two stories by a major North American writer and discuss how they use such techniques as narration, subtext, and imagery to portray complex, layered characters. Featured writers include Ernest Hemingway, Raymond Carver, John Updike, Mavis Gallant, Shirley Jackson, and Elizabeth Strout. In the final two weeks we will look at stories about Christmas in particular.

Do you ever feel unsure of yourself? Perhaps around new people or at job interviews? If so, this self-esteem course can help you build tools to face these situations with confidence. Low self-esteem can hold you back in all areas of life. Whether you’d like to build confidence to step back into education, meet new people, or change jobs, confidence-building courses can teach you essential tools to change your mindset. Learn how to build self-esteem and overcome obstacles that are holding you back. The first step in your journey is believing you can successfully complete this course!

This short beginner's course is designed to help you to start developing your basic maths skills and applying them to real-life situations. You will explore various methods of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, learning techniques that can simplify your daily tasks. Whether budgeting, shopping, or cooking, you will gain the skills to handle numbers confidently. Through interactive exercises and practical examples, you will discover how fundamental maths relates to everyday life, improving your problem-solving abilities and numerical fluency. Join us to build a solid foundation in maths and make everyday calculations easy!

Christmas is just the excuse you need to indulge in a creative craft course with the WEA. During this course we will be using a range of techniques and materials to design create and embellish handmade items to decorate our Christmas trees, homes and dining tables ready for the big day. Let's have some fun, meet like minded people, share inspiration and ideas and impress family and guests with our creativity skills and imagination. This course is perfect for anyone who loves the holiday season and enjoys hands-on crafting. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn new skills or a more experienced crafter seeking fresh ideas, this course is for you.

This online pre-employment programme is designed to prepare and support you for a career in Adult Social Care. Following the new adult social care pathway, you’ll gain knowledge about the expected behaviours in the role, the rights of the people you will care for (and your own), and the key skills needed to support individuals. You’ll learn about Dementia, Mental Health, Autism, and Learning Disabilities. Together, we’ll complete the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and learn how to reduce distress through person-centred practice and Positive Behaviour Support. Over the five weeks, you’ll also work on improving your job application and interview skills, and you’ll be supported to provide a current CV to employers. After completing the course with WEA, our employee engagement officer will arrange a working interview in a social care setting, giving you the chance to experience the working environment firsthand. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.00am - 3.00pm for 5 weeks. There are 25 sessions in total finishing on 20th Dec.

Build your confidence using digital skills in your personal life and in the workplace. Understand how digital programmes and services can enhance your everyday life and simplify common tasks. Learn skills employers look for and improve your job prospects. If you’d like to learn digital skills for a better life, this course will teach you everything you need to know. This Level 1 digital skills course is suitable for improvers, as you will build upon your current digital device knowledge. Learn how to use the Microsoft Office programmes: create and edit text documents in Word, create spreadsheets and use number calculations in Excel, and use PowerPoint to create presentations. These are universal digital skills employers look for and can help you in a variety of job roles. This course is funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

This course is funded by South Yorkshire Combined Authority.