WEA courses

If you are getting ready to take an ESOL entry 2 reading course, this course can help you prepare. Set yourself up for success with this ESOL preparation course. Learn reading skills to get up to speed before starting your entry 2 ESOL course. Get ready courses help you learn English at your own pace. They give you extra study time for each level and module so you can reach your full potential. This is an introductory English course for beginners. If you’re helping others access entry 2 ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

This ten-week course will explore a variety of classic and contemporary British, Irish and American poetry themed around summer, the sun and travel. Over the course of these sessions we will consider how the subject matter, style and cultural perspective of poets from a range of backgrounds contributes to our understanding of their oeuvres and these themes. We will examine the background of each poet we read along with reference to quality critical appraisals of each one. The sessions will combine close-reading and audio-visual materials with lively, inclusive and hopefully invigorating discussion. Whether you are just coming into poetry or have been reading and/or writing it for some time you will be welcome along to these sessions.

Give your mind and body a boost with this fun and friendly dance workout. You will join in dance routines to a wide variety of music, tone your body, improve strength and coordination and release endorphins to improve your mood and set you up for the day ahead.

This 10-week course is an introduction to the art the United States. It will take us from colonial portraiture and early American history painting to mid-century abstract art. Artists as diverse as John Singleton Copley, Thomas Cole, Mary Cassatt, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe and Jackson Pollock will be studied with a range of figurative to abstract painters we will look at how art progressed through different styles, and the context with in which they took place. Join us to uncover how historical events, cultural shifts, and artistic innovations shaped the nation’s visual identity.

I aim to encourage close looking at artworks, to set art into artistic and historical contexts, including the Cold War, and to create an environment where students are comfortable talking about art. For some images our discussion will be just to figure out what is going on! The course will begin with Abstract Expressionism (including Pollock, Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler, Ed Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, Lee Krasner, and more), moving to Robert Rauschenberg’s very different practice and Jasper John’s Flag (1954-5). We look at 1960s pop art (Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein), and thinking about sculpture discuss Minimalism, and for site-specific art Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty (1970) among others. The course ends with artists who focused on identity and worked for societal change: Judy Chicago’s feminist The Dinner Party, Betye Saar’s The Liberation of Aunt Jemima (1972) and the Guerrilla Girls’ significant public interventions – they highlighted the paucity of women’s art in public.

If you love music and singing then this course is for you. The course has been written for people who attend the Better Futures day centre in Plymouth. On this course you will learn how to improve your singing technique and how to play different percussion instruments from all over the world. On this course we encourage you to listen and learn about different types of music and enjoy making music alongside others in the group. You do not need to know anything about music to join this course, you just need to join in and have a go.

The purpose of this course is to support your individual health and wellbeing and for you to gain confidence. The course is designed to build on your individual skills and knowledge of arts and craft. You will be given the opportunity to experiment and create pieces of art and or crafts using a variety of materials. This course is about planning for a major piece or of work that will highlight your individual skills and acknowledge the skills and techniques you have learnt. You will be able to take your time to produce a major piece or pieces of work.

Are you ready to start your journey in learning English? Our Beginner's ESOL for Life and Work Course is designed for individuals who are new to the English language and want to build a strong foundation in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This course is perfect for those who wish to improve their communication skills for everyday life, work, or further education. The course will be run face to face for 5 hours per week with a professional and qualified tutor who will support you in a safe and friendly environment in a local community centre; Scaitcliffe Community Centre, Accrington.

This continuation course builds on the foundational skills from introductory textile and fashion courses, deepening your understanding of fabric manipulation, garment construction, and textile design. You will refine your sewing techniques, explore pattern adaptation, and experiment with a wider range of materials and decorative methods. The course covers more advanced stitching techniques, fabric textures, surface embellishment, and different approaches to garment making, including draping, tailoring, and upcycling. By the end of the course, you will feel more confident in your creative choices, develop your unique textile style, and create a small collection of textile pieces showcasing your progress.