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. 

Skip to course

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.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

Literature: Reading Poetry - Yorkshire Poets

In this online, 5-week course, you will read, explore and enjoy some key works by a selection of significant contemporary poets from Yorkshire. You will discuss and evaluate five key poets, spending a week with each, with scope to include a variety of individual poems by others and create some links between these. Alongside close reading of poems, you will learn to discuss literary criticism on each poet, British/English poetry and poetics generally, as well as exploring the backgrounds of each writer, their lives and their unique approach to the art of poetry; through this we will also look to understand how a particular sense of identity and place has been created through the work. This unaccredited course with a supportive tutor will bring you into the worlds of Yorkshire poetry and you may take your new-found analytical skills back to your community in a volunteering role. No experience is needed, just bring yourself and your enthusiasm!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 22/11/2023 -
Wed 20/12/2023
Times:
2:45pm - 4:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00012558
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Art Appreciation: The Louvre - A History of the World's Most Visited Museum

From its beginning as a medieval castle to the addition of the glass pyramid in the 1980s, the Louvre is an iconic building and art collection. This art history will discuss the key moments of the Louvre's history and understand why it is the most visited museum in the world. This course is ideal for both art lovers and those interested in historical architecture. Come along and join the class as you learn something new, all from the comfort of your own home.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 09/12/2023 -
Sat 09/12/2023
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00009778
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Literature: The Man who banned Christmas - how Christmas was banned under Oliver Cromwell

It’s popularly believed that Oliver Cromwell and his period of rule known as the Protectorate banned Christmas. This one off course will seek to investigate this belief and consider what truly occurred in the period of the English Civil War and the years after. Our discussions will focus on the following questions and issues: • the nature of the Stuart Christmas. • the religious background during the early seventeenth century which contributes to the ‘banning’ of Christmas. • how Christmas was argued over in print and art. • how society in a broad sense reacted to the threat to centuries of tradition that such a banning of Christmas implied. • Why the banning of Christmas proved ineffective.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 09/12/2023 -
Sat 09/12/2023
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00011980
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Film and Media: Christmas Movie Crackers!

Escape from the hurly-burly of Christmas shopping by indulging in this celebration and exploration of the most festive films ever made. Dive into iconic classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Love Actually." Uncover the essence of a perfect Christmas movie while contrasting diverse versions of "A Christmas Carol." Prepare to be astonished by revelations about Santa Claus! And the age-old debate: Is "Die Hard" truly a Christmas movie? Delve into this exploration, discovering what defines holiday cinema magic and what misses the mark. Escape the hustle and bustle, immersing yourself in the joy of these cinematic treasures amid the seasonal frenzy.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 11/12/2023 -
Mon 11/12/2023
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Jubilee Hall Loddon (Loddon)
George Lane
Loddon
NR14 6NB
Tutor:
Nigel Herwin
Course code:
Q00012929
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.00

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

Creative Writing: Writing for Wellbeing

On this taster course, you will learn how to use poems as prompts to life writing in poetry or prose and be given the opportunity to share your writing and experiences with others. We will be using prompts for writing on gratitude, awareness, nature and hope. During this session, you don't have to worry about your handwriting, spelling or punctuation. You are writing for yourself and there is no right or wrong way of doing so. It is not about the finished product but the calming process of just writing itself, which allows you to find clarity, space and a moment of relaxation. Anyone can do it. If you can write, you can write creatively.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 12/12/2023 -
Tue 12/12/2023
Times:
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Sarah Wardle
Course code:
Q00012930
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Creative Writing: Script to stage: What does a director do? And the rest of the team?

This course is intended to give you a background knowledge of all the processes that go into the production of a piece of live theatre. The course is intended to help improve the knowledge of regular theatre audience members and, hopefully, inspire those of you don’t go to take the plunge. If you go to the theatre regularly and you pick up a programme you may be baffled by the list of all the different roles that you see listed as part of the creation of the show that is being produced. So, if you’ve ever wondered what on earth a dramaturg might be, or what does a stage manager actually manage, this course is ideal for you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 02/01/2024 -
Tue 12/03/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00012510
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Literature: Be an informed theatre audience member

If you are aware that there is a whole world behind the proscenium arch (and you don’t know what that is!) but you enjoy a visit to see live theatre then this course is for you. We will look at all aspects of the theatre experience from knowing the right slang to use to the best places to sit!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 03/01/2024 -
Wed 13/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00012511
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Literature: Walt Whitman’s Epic Poem - Song of Myself

“One of the most outrageous poems in American literature”: that’s one way to describe Walt Whitman’s 52-part poem “Song of Myself”. Abounding in energy, embracing all aspects of life, including the human body, great landscapes and the joys and pains of life, the poem scandalised many British readers in the 1860s and liberated others from the constraints of Victorian morality. Whitman is sure to challenge you to re-examine your assumptions about the world and about poetry itself. Each week we will read about five pages, and in our Zoom session discuss the features of the reading and your responses, sharing views in a friendly community. Podcasts explaining each section supplement your experience of the poem. No previous experience with literature is necessary, only a willingness to set out on this epic journey.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 03/01/2024 -
Tue 26/03/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Tutor:
Robert-Louis Abrahamson
Course code:
Q00012180
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60

Literature: Forgotten Bestsellers from the 19th Century: 1850-1900

This course will consider a number of novels that became best-sellers when they were published in the 19th century but have since either been eclipsed by better known novels by the same writer or simply forgotten due to the vagaries of literary taste and popularity. Taking one novel from each decade of the second half of the 19th century we will look at the changing styles of literature trough the period.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 04/01/2024 -
Thu 28/03/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Tutor:
Greta Depledge
Course code:
Q00010204
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60

Music Making: Improve your Piano/Keyboard skills - Intermediate

Develop your piano/keyboard skills in a supportive online group! Students will play along with the tutor from home with muted microphones. You will follow a range of different scales and exercises, as well as playing from sheet music. The course also involves in depth music theory discussions related to timing, key signature and performance directions. Please note: This is an intermediate level course and requires existing skills in order to take part.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 05/01/2024 -
Fri 22/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Tutor:
Lorna Poole
Course code:
Q00012401
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40