WEA courses

During this course we will explore the course of British Nature writing from the late nineteenth century until the early years of the twenty-first century. Our writers will include W.H. Hudson, Kenneth Grahame, Richard Mabey, Mark Cocker, Roger Deakin, Robert Macfarlane, Nan Shephard, Kathleen Jamie and a host of others. We will discover how the concerns and agendas of British Nature Writing have evolved over time towards the present and the rise of the Deep Ecology Movement and its writings. There will be ample scope for discussion and close reading of the chosen texts, and opportunity to analyse what, in some instances are, controversial ideas.

Literature: Writers of the Second World War is designed to introduce individuals to the literature that depicts the experiences and impact of the Second World War. This course covers key authors and works from the period, exploring their themes, contexts, and significance in literary history. Participants will read and analyse selected texts, learning about the historical and cultural backgrounds that influenced these works. The course includes lectures, discussions, and reading assignments that encourage critical thinking and deeper understanding of Second World War literature. By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive knowledge of the literature of the Second World War and its significance in the broader context of literary history. This course is ideal for literature enthusiasts and history buffs looking to explore the literature of the Second World War.

Explore the history of the Ottoman Empire with our History: The Ottoman Empire - Fall 1876-1922 course. Learn about the key events and figures that led to the decline and fall of the empire. Ideal for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning about the Ottoman Empire.

One of the revolutionary art movements of the early 20th century, surrealism was made for the movies. Artists keen on challenging the boundaries of form, genre and art itself, quickly made use of the possibilities of the moving image. Beyond that, early filmmakers discovered film’s potential for the ‘unreal’. In surrealist cinema, questions about identity and reality, challenges to social norms, the subconscious, dreams and the fantastic meet.

Enhance your creative writing skills with our Creative Writing for Intermediate Learners course. Learn techniques for writing fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Ideal for writers with some experience looking to refine their craft.

A friendly and accessible exploration of five cinematic works made under the banner of Channel Four Films now known as Film 4. What are the founding principles? How do they differ from ‘rival’ BBC Films. Is what we expect from a Film 4 film now different from what may’ve been expected from an earlier Channel 4 Film? We have fun whilst gaining knowledge and understanding of Channel 4 Film and cinema in general. What are the running features? Promoting knowledge, understanding and confidence regarding film and cinema in general, whilst also highlighting specialist language and terminology, advancing literacy, communication skills and confidence in delivering informed feedback.

Discover the wonderful world of the English language with this beginners ESOL E1/E2 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 ESOL course. 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.

Learning how to construct, apply modelling techniques and then paint air dry clay items.

I will work with students to improve confidence in their ability to develop artistic skills and creativity, learning the skills to create a variety of craft projects and build confidence. You will learn using a range of different teaching and learning activities. You will be in a safe welcoming and supportive environment. The course is for everyone from the complete beginner to those wishing to improve their craft skills. No prior knowledge is needed just a desire to learn and develop your skills, make something wonderful, meet new friends and have fun building confidence.

Develop an understanding of life in the UK and how to get around.