WEA courses

This basic course will introduce learners to the world at work and the language needed to enter it. The course has been developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council which refers learners to this and other programmes hosted at the Old School, which is a community centre run by Blakenhall Action Community Forum. This course is particularly suitable for students are unemployed and have been referred by Job Centres to improve their spoken and written English and thereby get closer to getting a job.

This online, tutor-led course is designed for international social care staff who are ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students. Over 10 weeks, participants will engage in 15 hours of learning to enhance their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. The course aims to significantly improve conversational abilities, familiarise participants with care-specific terminology, and boost their overall confidence in using English within a social care setting.

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

This short course is aimed at anyone who is involved in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and would like some basic tips and suggestions on how to do this. You may be a volunteer at a drop-in centre or you may have started a new role helping people from a range of backgrounds to learn English. We will look at ideas and activities for including beginners as well as those with a higher level of skill. There will be a focus on teaching asylum seekers and refugees who may not attend regularly, but are keen to improve their English skills.

This course is for people who live in Nottingham who are beginners in learning English. It is a face-to-face course. The course will help you to start using English every day ready to apply for work in the UK. It will also improve your confidence to speak to people in English in other everyday situations, like going to the doctor, shopping, using public transport and speaking to your child’s teachers. You will start to learn some of the words and phrases needed to feel part of your community and become more independent in your life in the UK.

Enhance your storytelling skills with our Short Story Workshop. Learn the art of crafting compelling short stories through practical exercises and expert guidance. Ideal for writers of all levels looking to refineIn this course students will explore the art of short story writing, focusing on the fundamental elements that make a compelling narrative. Through guided exercises, discussions and peer feedback, participants will learn how to develop characters, craft engaging plots, build vivid settings and experiment with narrative voice and structure. By the end of the course students will complete a polished short story, showing structure and plot effectively and gain practical skills for refining their storytelling craft. This is a friendly and supportive Writing Workshop where learners are able to receive feedback each week on the previous week's Homework writing assignment. their short fiction writing abilities.

In this course we will be celebrating, criticising and discussing together writings which either portray rebellion and defiance, or which by their very style overturn the rules. From the most modern writers today such as Sarah Moss and Zoe Gilbert through to Shakespeare’s plays and back in time to legendary figures described by the earliest writers in English, questions arise around rebels, their actions – and how authors perceive them: what situations drive personal or political acts of rebellion? What is an author’s intention in presenting disobedience or unrest? How do writers portray to us the act of rebellion or the character of a rebel? Together, we shall be seeking answers.

This course is designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to successfully enter or re-enter the workforce. Whether you are a first-time job seeker, transitioning careers, or returning to work after a break, this course will provide practical guidance on job search strategies, resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace skills. Through a combination of workshops, group activities, and one-on-one coaching, participants will gain the confidence and tools necessary to secure employment and thrive in their chosen career path.

This is the first course of six aimed at Upper Intermediate (B2) level learners of English. This six-week course is for those whose first language is NOT English and we will practice all four major skills in each session to further develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Lessons will be delivered face-to-face using a range of teacher led and freer interactive activities to develop learners’ proficiency and confidence. In addition to a focus on general pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, students will be encouraged to focus on colloquial English and develop an awareness of the local English being used in their contexts.

This basic course will introduce learners to the world at work and the language needed to enter it. The course has been developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council which refers learners to this and other programmes hosted at the Old School, which is a community centre run by Blakenhall Action Community Forum. This course is particularly suitable for students are unemployed and have been referred by Job Centres to improve their spoken and written English and thereby get closer to getting a job.