WEA courses

The act of looking is so closely bound up with the act of writing. Novels depend upon those moments when an author presses the pause button and allows their characters to just stop and look at something. This course will explore how photos, especially, can be used as a vital stimulus for creative writing. Over two days, you will explore the work of some of the world’s finest photographers, from Andre Kertesz to Garry Winogrand, all projected upon the screen. You will then be encouraged to look even closer and see where these images take your own writing. The course will also consider how established writers have engaged with the art of photography, from John Berger to Susan Sontag, Tony Harrison and Geoff Dyer. Most importantly, you will encourage you to find a way of using your own photos as a way of unlocking your own hidden powers of writing and observation. Come along and join our friendly lipreading group at The Centre in Newlyn. This class is suitable for all levels of lipreaders and is ideal for those recently experiencing hearing loss. Our experienced tutor will guide you through the basics of lipreading and show you how to practice your lipreading skills in everyday life. Research has shown that attending a lipreading class can give you greater: • Confidence to communicate with others • Control over your hearing loss, as you develop new communication skills • Independence, as you’re less reliant on others to help you follow conversation (Source RNID.org.uk) You will learn in a supportive environment alongside other learners who will be able to share their experiences of hearing loss and learn how to overcome them together

Enhance your English skills for life and work in the UK with our advanced course. Focus on practical communication needed for various situations. Ideal for non-native speakers looking to improve their English proficiency.

Do you enjoy using words and writing to express yourself? Would you like to be more in touch with your ideas and feelings? Or would you like to learn more about using journaling and writing to support your wellbeing? Then come and join a friendly group on this weekly online course. No previous experience is necessary – all learners will gain confidence and increase their wellbeing through developing skills in creative writing

From Beethoven to Blur, or Metallica to Mongolian voices, music can lead us from one state of mind and body to another. This course looks at the power of music and how it can be used as a source of energy to improve our overall health, self-esteem, and wellbeing. You will be given the opportunity to explore your own personal relationship with music, considering the impression music had on you when growing up; including how you feel about singing and why? There is extensive research supporting the psychological, social, and behavioural benefits that happen when an individual finds their voice. We will consider this and how the benefits of singing, song writing, and voice exploration can give us a feeling of belonging. By experimenting in a group, you will experience what it feels like to be part of something that is bigger than yourself!

This is an introductory course to IELTS for participants who have already reached Entry level 3 ESOL minimum standard. It is a practical short course which aims to help students and employees to become familiar with IELTS tests and English language skills.

Dive into the different forms you can tell a story. We’ll look at braided stories, hermit crabs, list stories, epistolary and fragmentary forms across fiction and creative non fiction. Learn the techniques and appreciate the effects different shapes of a story can enhance your writing.

As a parent or carer, you want the best for your children and you want to help them get the most out of their time at school. Join other parents like you, to discover more about what is taught in UK schools. During this course, you will learn how to support your child’s education in the UK. You will learn what you can do at home to help improve your child’s skills in maths and English. Find out more about how you can join the school community and meet other parents. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

Take your first steps towards employment with our comprehensive course. Develop essential skills and knowledge needed for job applications, interviews, and workplace success. Ideal for individuals seeking to enter the job market.

American art historian Linda Nochlin in 1971 posed the question as to “Why have there been no great women artists?”. Women artists have been overlooked, undermined, and forgotten over the centuries. This course will write them back into art history by focusing on the most committed and accomplished women artists from the 17th Century to the 21st Century covering women painters, sculptors, installation artists, and performance artists.

This day school focuses on three short stories from the American literary tradition by Alice Walker, Ernest Hemingway, and Edith Wharton. The session includes tutor presentations and group discussions about each story. Resources will be available before the session for pre- and post-session reflection. During the day, we will analyse specific excerpts and broader cultural contexts, exploring how fiction connects to the real world. Join us for an engaging exploration of these iconic American authors and their contributions to literature.