WEA courses

Learning about Abstract Landscape Art is a fascinating and rewarding topic; it tracks an evolving story looking at different ages, from 19th Century innovators such as JMW Turner, through to Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Modernism in general, right up to the 21st Century. This course will also introduce you to some lesser- known female artists who have been formerly neglected by the art establishment. Inspired by these examples, shown at the beginning of each lesson in an interactive visual presentation, we will develop skills in a range of drawing and painting media, including drawing inks, chalk and oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage and mixed media. This course is for complete beginners and those looking to improve their skills and develop their own style. Please note that this is a 3-session course running on: Wed 17/07/2024, Wed 24/07/2024, and Wed 31/07/2024.

Learning about Abstract Art is a fascinating and rewarding topic; it tracks an evolving story looking at different ages, from 19th Century innovators such as JMW Turner, through to Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Modernism in general, right up to the 21st Century. This course will also introduce you to some lesser- known female artists who have been formerly neglected by the art establishment. Inspired by these examples, shown at the beginning of each lesson in an interactive visual presentation, we will develop skills in a range of drawing and painting media, including drawing inks, chalk and oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage and mixed media. This course is for complete beginners and those looking to improve their skills and develop their own style. Please note that this is a 3-session course running on: Wed 17/07/2024, Wed 24/07/2024, and Wed 31/07/2024.

Learning to draw is a precious skill that encourages mindfulness and creativity. A quote from the late artist Paula Rego: ‘Sketches always have more vitality than paintings because you're finding things out through doing them.’ Inspired by historical and contemporary artists, this course will build your confidence and expertise in a range of media including pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, using cartridge and mid toned pastel paper. Our topic will be still life – learning to see and analyse real objects is the best teacher for developing your own drawing style. Suitable for beginners and those wishing to develop their skills. Please note that this is a 3-session course running on: Wed 17/07/2024, Wed 24/07/2024, and Wed 31/07/2024.

Did you know you can use spreadsheets to make hundreds of everyday tasks easier? You can use them to efficiently keep track of job applications, birthday lists, inventories of collectible items, or anything else. Never opened a spreadsheet in your life? Don’t worry. This is an Excel course for beginners, and we’ll cover all the basics. This beginners Excel course aims to teach you computer skills for everyday life, including simple budgeting techniques to manage your money better. This course is funded through Multiply, you are eligible for full funding if you are aged 19+ and have an Essex home postcode.

Here at the WEA we believe in bringing education within reach of everyone Our maths course is designed to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the essential numeracy skills they need to succeed at any age. We want to help people to improve their ability to understand and use maths in daily life. This Maths for work course is an opportunity to learn new skills to support you no matter what role you play in work. You will be able to understand how to use new maths skills to support with your children's homework, along with managing finances and supporting you in your career progression.

Stress affects most people in the country at some point in life. Understanding the harmful effects of stress is essential to maintaining good mental health and well-being. This stress awareness course can help you recognise and deal with stress when it happens. This mental health awareness training helps you understand what you and others may be experiencing. It is also useful if you work in a support role such as mentor, counsellor, or carer. It will teach you important skills for care jobs if you want to work in adult social care.

Beginners ESOL 3hour Taster course. Discover the wonderful world of the English language with this beginners ESOL course. It will help you to develop basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. Whether you have studied basic English before or you are completely new to it, You will find value in this Taster session. Develop your language skills to enable you to recognise simple words, prepare to write, ask everyday questions and answer them using correct grammatical structures. You do not need any special tools to attend, just yourself and some enthusiasm. Start your language journey today by registering for this course.

This course delves into the myths, legends, and historical theories surrounding Britain's beloved King Arthur, exploring his family, friends, and foes. It aims to distinguish between fact and fiction, recognizing the influence of biases in historical accounts and the speculative nature of much of the Arthurian narrative. Arthur's role as a tool for propaganda is examined, drawing on diverse sources including ancient writings, literature, fiction, and film, supplemented by a brief exploration of archaeology. Offering participants insight into the enduring appeal and manipulation of Arthurian legend throughout history.

Do you want to gain more confidence in using digital skills to communicate online. If the answer is 'yes!', then join this course. This course is for learners with little or no experience of digital technologies who want to develop better digital skills. If you struggle with using digital skills to communicate online, using WhatsApp, social media and drafting emails this course can help you feel more comfortable with digital communication. The course aims to boost your confidence by teaching the techniques and digital skills you need to improve your online communication skills. Take the first steps to Improve your digital skills for learning, life, and work.

On discovering Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, Howard Carter described seeing 'Wonderful things' within this site in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. A century ago, these excavations were ‘hot off the press’ news. During this session we will consider the excavations by Carter, and also other intriguing excavations from different parts of the world that have enhanced our understanding of the past. Find out about some of the most famous archaeological excavations from around the world in this day course, we will discuss what made these sites so important and consider some of the methods used by the archaeologists working on the site.