Love to learn with the WEA

Our languages and culture courses span the length and breadth of England and Scotland, with the option to study online or in person at a time that suits you. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country, or you simply wish to indulge in your love and fascination of film, we have the course for you. 

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Our creative writing courses will nourish your inner writer, providing you with a platform to develop your love of poetry, non-fiction or script development. If literature courses are more your kind of thing, then you’re in luck too, as there are a wide range of topics to choose from.  

Literary greats and great periods in history

Our language courses offer you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, developing your ̨Íåswag so that you can speak confidently in countries right across the world. German, Italian and Greek are just a few examples of the language courses we have to offer, with many others taking place throughout the year.  

As you’d expect, literary greats such as Agatha Christie and Shakespeare feature regularly. There’s also the option to examine other time periods in English literature too, helping you develop your critical reading and analysis ̨Íåswag - perfect whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the subject.  

If you prefer history then you’ve got a choice too, from courses on subjects you’d expect such as the first world war, or art history and studying the works of iconic painters such as Salvador Dali. 

Support and guidance

Whatever course you choose, you'll learn in a supportive environment where the class sizes are small, ensuring you get the attention you deserve, with an experienced and qualified tutor on-hand to guide you through your learning too.  

A lot of our cultural learning is delivered by our branch network: learn more here.

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Foreign Languages: Modern Greek for Improvers (lower intermediate Term 4)

Can you take part in short conversations in Greek in a wide range of situations? This online course will expand the Greek you have already learnt and increase your confidence in using the language to communicate with the locals when in Greece or Cyprus. It will also give you a further 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/09/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
2:15pm - 4:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Eleni Vezyri
Course code:
Q00018355
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Music Appreciation: Discovering Classical Music

This ten-week course will present and explore classical music from across the breadth of its development, from early music through to classical music being written right now. Over the course of these sessions we will consider how the subject matter, style and context of composers from a range of diverse backgrounds has contributed to the evolution of music, as well as considering other genres for reference. We will examine the background of each composer and the individual pieces that we listen to along with reference to quality critical appraisals and notes on each one. The sessions will combine active listening and audio-visual materials with lively, inclusive and hopefully invigorating discussion. Whether you are just coming into the world of classical music (and other genres) or have been listening to it for some time you will be welcome along to these sessions.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/09/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
9:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00016696
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Literature: Myth & Magic

This ten-week course will present and explore classical mythology and other traditions of myth by exploring their magical, more transformative aspects. Over the course of these sessions we will consider how the subject matter, style and context of texts and writers from a range of diverse backgrounds contain and harness these ideas in ways that continue to powerfully impact on us in the modern world. We will examine the historical and literary specifics of each text and writer individually and as part of a collective tradition, along with reference to quality critical resources on the role, meaning and purpose of myth more widely. The sessions will combine close reading and audio-visual materials with lively, inclusive and hopefully invigorating discussion. Whether you are just coming into the world of classical and other mythologies or have been interested in these worlds for some time you will be welcome along to these sessions.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/09/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00016685
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Intermediate Conversational English

This Conversational English for Intermediate Level course is designed to help learners improve their fluency, confidence, and communication ̨Íåswag in everyday English conversations. This course is for you if you have a basic understanding of English and want to improve your speaking ̨Íåswag or are looking to boost your confidence in everyday English conversations. You will improve your fluency and conversational competence for personal interaction, work, study and everyday life. Building upon foundational knowledge, this course focuses on expanding vocabulary, enhancing listening and speaking abilities, and mastering common phrases and expressions used in real-world situations. This course offers interactive, engaging and fun activities in a friendly atmosphere.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/09/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
CREST (South Shields)
95 Fowler Street
South Shields
NE33 1NU
Tutor:
Marina Fasa
Course code:
Q00019494
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Creative Writing: Story, Conflict, Plotting and Dialogue

This course will explore the fundamental elements of compelling storytelling, focusing on conflict, plotting and dialogue in drama. Through practical exercises and analysis, students will develop ̨Íåswag to craft engaging narratives, create dynamic characters, and construct intricate plots. A friendly but challenging class suitable for both new writers and more established writers. The course aims to make Learners better writers of drama via the acquisition of a more complete understanding of Story Structure, Effective dialogue and the role of conflict in storytelling. The Tutor has worked professionally as a Drama /Comedy Writer in both Theatre and Local BBC Radio.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/09/2024 -
Fri 22/11/2024
Times:
9:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Len Pentin
Course code:
Q00019485
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60

Personal Development: Creative writing

Unlock your inner writer! This 4-week Introduction to Creative Writing course will ignite your imagination and guide you in expressing yourself through the power of words. We'll delve into various writing styles, helping you observe the world around you with fresh eyes and translate those experiences onto the page. Whether you're a complete beginner or have dabbled in writing, this course is designed to unleash your creativity and deepen your enjoyment of the written word.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/10/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016541
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Literature: Reading Boris Pastenak and Helen Dunmore - Doctor Zhivago and Zennor in Darkness

During this course, we will begin our discussion with a Russian classic, Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. This 1957 novel was first published in Italy. It was not published in Russia until 1988. We will be thinking about the way Boris Paternak presents the political and societal events of his lifetime. Do these scenes and ideas resonate in only a historical sense? Later on in the course we will move on to Zennor in Darkness, Helen Dunmore’s 1996 Orange Prize winning novel to think about her portrayal of World War one Cornwall and DH Lawrence, as we continue our discussion about the way fiction translates the past.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/10/2024 -
Tue 10/12/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Humphris
Course code:
Q00016883
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Foreign Languages: Learning French

Welcome to the French Beginners Course! Embark on an exciting journey to learn the basics of French. Through fun, interactive lessons, you'll master common greetings, essential vocabulary, and pronunciation. Progress to basic conversations about everyday topics like food, travel, and hobbies. You'll learn to order in a café, discuss friends and family, and ask for simple touristic information. Explore French culture, traditions, and landmarks to deepen your understanding. By the end of the course, you'll feel confident introducing yourself in French and engaging in simple conversations. Let’s begin this adventure together! Bon voyage! (Have a good journey!)

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/10/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alastair Clark
Course code:
Q00015922
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Literature: Crime through Time

For the last century, crime fiction has been the most popular and lucrative of literary subgenres. But this commercial success belies a formal inventiveness and experiment, a constant drive to ‘make it new’, which has long been central to the genre. In this course we will read six crime novels (and three short stories) which chart the development of crime fiction. As well as considering each of these novels in isolation from week to week, we will also use the seven week course to ask ourselves: how has crime fiction changed through the years, and how has it remained the same? No previous knowledge of crime fiction is necessary – everybody is most welcome!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/10/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Blofield Court House (BLOFIELD)
28 Yarmouth Road
BLOFIELD
NR13 4JU
Tutor:
Joseph Williams
Course code:
Q00018194
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Literature: The Ghost Stories of M. R. James

Human beings have told each other stories about ghosts since the ancient times, but the ghost story as we know it was created by the writer and scholar M. R. James (1862-1936). At Christmas, James would read his stories aloud to friends and colleagues at the University of Cambridge. The BBC began adapting James’s stories in 1971 as part of their ’Ghost Story for Christmas’ series. In this course we will look at seven of James’s most famous and enjoyed stories, a number of which were adapted by the BBC. We will consider each story on its own, looking at James’s use of suspense and humour. How does James write a ghost story? Are they scary? And, most of all, what are we scared of? No previous knowledge of ghost stories is necessary – everybody is most welcome!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/10/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Joseph Williams
Course code:
Q00018856
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00