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 skills 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 skills - 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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Art Appreciation: Local Artists Colchester Part 2

This 5-week course delves into the works of five local artists, featuring Cedric Morris, Aline Gowen, Roderic Barrett, Richard Beford, and Mildred Blakiston. Each week explores key art concepts including, colour and composition through samples of their work. You will engage in group discussions, take notes, and recall information. By the end of the course, you will be able to notice significant local artists, describe their artistic methods, spot similarities and differences among local artists, deconstruct essential components of artworks, and select a preferred piece based on personal opinion.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/05/2024 -
Fri 14/06/2024
Times:
10:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Castle Methodist Church (Colchester)
Maidenburgh Street
Colchester
CO1 1TT
Tutor:
Abbie Cairns
Course code:
Q00015386
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Art Appreciation: The Architecture of Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor

We will investigate the extraordinary range of architecture produced by Christopher Wren, and see how his principal assistant Nicholas Hawksmoor went on to develop his own remarkable designs for churches in London, country houses and the universities. We will set out how, following the Restoration, Wren, as a mathematician, became the pre-eminent English architect of his time. Hawksmoor and John Vanburgh developed Wren’s architectural style into what became known as the “English Baroque “- we will consider the key features of this style and show how it related to Baroque in mainland Europe. This day school will combine short lectures with discussion sessions, backed up by colour-illustrated notes.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 11/05/2024 -
Sat 11/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Reading International Solidarity Centre
35-39 London Street
Reading
RG1 4PS
Tutor:
Keith Hasted
Course code:
Q00013788
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £36.00

Art Appreciation: The Art of Ukraine

The Art of Ukraine traces Ukrainian art history within the historical and political contexts of the country, starting from the golden age of Kyvian Rus’, its role within the Russian Empire, and then as a Soviet Socialist Republic part of the USSR until its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022 an interest in knowing about Ukrainian art has grown, with Ukrainian art historians, critics, and curators raising the profile of Ukrainian art, artists, and art movements to keep alive the history of Ukrainian Art as distinct from the history of Russian Art.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 12/05/2024 -
Sun 16/06/2024
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00014498
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Music and Art: Sound and Vision

Programme of Study Music and Art: Sound and Vision Music Appreciation: How Sound Affects Our Moods, Wellbeing and Productivity (8th April – 20th May) Practical Art: Creative Artwork Inspired by Music and Sound (3rd June – 8th July) Start date: Monday 8th April to Monday 8th July 2024 Time: 2.00pm to 5.00 pm During this programme you will learn about the healing properties of sound, and how we can use sound and music to help our mental health and wellbeing. During the first course, we will cover meditation, mindfulness and the affects of sound upon us when we are out and about. You will have the opportunity to take part in group walks to locations such as Grove Park, the Grand Pier, beach etc. exploring how different locations and sounds make us feel. During the second half of the programme, you will have the opportunity to participate in practical art sessions to explore how artists use sound to inspire their artwork and will create your own art as a response to sound and music.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 08/07/2024
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Course code:
P00000059
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available

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:
WEA Membership

Beginners Spanish

Do you want to learn Spanish? ¡Vamos! Let’s go! Study Spanish for beginners to learn the essentials to get by in Spain. These basic Spanish courses will immerse you into the vibrant cultures of Spanish-speaking countries while you daydream about your next trip. In this basic Spanish language course, you’ll learn essential grammar and vocabulary to start communicating right away. It’s ideal if you want to dip your toe into the language.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 01/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alan Johnson
Course code:
Q00013876
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Art Appreciation: Hockney and Nature

David Hockney is acclaimed internationally as a great artist. Born in Bradford in July 1937, he showed artistic talent from a young age and has used many different approaches to explore portraiture, still life, opera sets, and landscapes. In three sessions, we will learn about his early influences and the way he has used various techniques to explore subjects. Special emphasis will be placed on Hockney’s attitude to nature, how it is portrayed, and the way in which the natural world is important to him.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 03/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (Berkhamsted)
289 High Street
Berkhamsted
HP4 1AJ
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00013903
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Care 2 Find Out About Before Bridgerton : The World of Georgette Heyer and Her Legacy

A course for carers, former carers and the cared for. All romantic fiction owers a debt to Georgette Hayer, join me in the comfort of your own home to find out about her life, her work and her influences.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Wed 29/05/2024
Times:
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014598
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Creative Writing: Introduction To Creative Writing – Beginners

Anyone can write. If you have competence in English skills then this 6 week online course is for you. Perhaps you never got around to pursuing creative writing after leaving education. Maybe you’re attempting to get into it now but find yourself a little lost. Following a warm welcome into a studious and supportive classroom community, a variety of engaging activities – both solo and collaborative – will help you improve skills, gain confidence, and achieve your goals. A range of multimedia references and utilities will be implemented throughout the course, complimenting a weekly extracurricular routine and active learning environment. You will also receive feedback and constructive critique from the tutor and your peers per the exercises and your desired guidance as well as support toward publication upon request.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 25/06/2024
Times:
7:15pm - 9:15pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Shaun Kennedy
Course code:
Q00014694
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Creative Writing: The Secrets of Investigative Journalism

If you wonder how people uncover information in the public interest that would usually remain in the dark, this course on investigative journalism is for you. on this course you will learn how investigative journalists conduct their investigations and how they report them especially if they would otherwise likely go unreported. Alongside this you will also debate the best ways to plan and investigative story and the sources which may be available to do this, as well as getting a brief introduction to the legal and regulatory aspects of journalism. No previous experience of the study of journalism is necessary. Everyone is welcome to join this fascinating course.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
10:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
The Priory (Ware)
High Street
Ware
SG12 9AL
Tutor:
Rebecca Eliahoo Charles
Course code:
Q00012517
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £60.00

Film & Media: Lost in Translation Revisited: Mental Health Awareness Week

With an awareness of Mental Health week, this one-off session revisits Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation. A film initially praised by critics yet one which divided audiences. In more recent the years the film has attracted some renewed prise for drawing attention to issues such as feelings of isolation and loneliness, some may also argue the film presents several cases toward the need for calm in a chaotic modern world. We revisit Lost in Translation, away from the hype we take time to examine some of the more mental well-being based themes and also take time to re-evaluate the film in general.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 15/05/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00015138
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40