WEA courses

It is sometimes said that Lenin drove the Russian revolution into a cul-de-sac and Stalin then accelerated into the wall at the far end. The course will examine the economic, political and social changes undertaken by Stalin and enforced by the Great Terror. We will then consider how far this modernisation of the economy enabled the USSR to withstand the Nazi onslaught from 1941 and why the Soviet Union seemed unreformable under Stalin’s successors. We will conclude by looking at Gorbachev’s almost total failure to achieve the objectives he identified and why, despite that, he was one of the most laudable leaders of a troubled century in European affairs

Have you learnt Modern Greek in the past for about a year? Would you like to expand your existing skills and increase your confidence in using them? This post-beginners’ course will provide you with some basic everyday language you need to get by on a visit to Greece or Cyprus, as well as an insight into the Greek lifestyle and culture. The course is taught by a well-qualified and experienced native speaker with many years’ teaching experience. Learning a foreign language for holiday or leisure is a great way to keep your brain active, explore a different culture, meet people with a common interest, increase your confidence and enhance your wellbeing. Take advantage of this unique opportunity today.

The purpose of this course is to aid you in finding the confidence and inspiration to apply genuine method in gathering memories into writing, using a fun, friendly and structured approach. Over the duration of the course, we will discuss life experiences and use different methods of writing to get them down on paper. Writing can be therapeutic and many find it useful when dealing with feelings of stress or unease. Located in a relaxed and friendly environment, this course is a great excuse to get out of the house and socialise with others.

Regency society rakish, raffish but with a fondness for wonderful architecture, or was there more to it than that?

Welcome to the world of creativity! This beginners' course in arts and crafts is designed to introduce you to various artistic techniques and mediums, providing you with a solid foundation to explore your creativity. Whether you're a complete novice or someone looking to refresh their skills, this course will guide you through the fundamentals of different art forms, encouraging you to express yourself through hands-on projects.

A fun, friendly and structured approach to our develop fiction writing knowledge, skills and importantly aid you in finding inspiration, putting pen paper and getting writing. Whatever you might like to write or already enjoy writing, be it short stories, longer tales, mystery, crime, a touch of the gothic or whatever takes your interest - there will be a plot to suit your idea and/or help you find inspiration and take it further. Find inspiration as we consider the how a different plot may aid with a specific theme or topic, the development of characters and your choice of words and description. This course will make use of a mix of informal feedback, lecture using PowerPoint slides, some focused group discussion/creative tasks in smaller breakout groups and feedback. Session by session we examine a different ‘plot’ and apply some creative craft to it, might it yield the perfect motivation for a crime, is three a secret a character wishes to keep? What kind of story suits a particular plot – flash fiction, a cautionary tale or a longer and more complex tale? We examine the varied forms and approaches, how have others approached similar tales and what might work best for us now. Suitable for the curious beginner and/or the seasoned scribbler.

Practice techniques for creating short stories, true or untrue. We'll apply the principles of short fiction to our writing, with the focus this term on creating and developing character. There will be writing exercises, discussions, an optional weekly homework task and feedback. Guidance on feedback techniques will be provided. The course content has flexibility, and will be adapted to suit the needs of the group. Suitable for improvers.

This beginners ESOL course will help you to develop basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. Develop your language skills to enable you to recognise simple words, prepare to write, ask everyday questions and answer them using correct grammatical structures.

This course gives students - from beginners to improvers - the opportunity to explore different landscape painting approaches and techniques in a relaxed and supportive environment. It explores a range of styles, from the conventional and representational to more experimental and avant-garde approaches. Our highly experienced tutor, who is a practicing artist, provides practical and supportive advice on colour mixing, tonal variation, acrylic techniques, mark-making and composition, encouraging students to explore their own personal enthusiasms to make individual and original paintings. Source photographs will be provided online but students may use their own photos and other sources.

Set yourself up for success at learning English with this ESOL preparation course. This course is designed to help you prepare for an ESOL entry 3 reading course. Learn key reading skills you’ll need for the entry 3 ESOL course in reading. 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 a non-accredited English course for adults. If you’re helping others access entry 3 ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.