Explore literature through the ages.

We've hand-picked a variety of English literature courses for you to choose from. Whether you are interested in twenty-first-century literature and culture, the tales of Babylon, or historical topics such as race and gender, we have a broad selection of literature that’s sure to suit a wide variety of tastes and interests.  

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You might be a newcomer to the world of literature and the great works of authors past and present, or perhaps you consider yourself somewhat of an expert. Whichever group you fall into, our friendly classes are the perfect environment to develop your skills and knowledge. Building on a curiosity or passion is what we do best! 

Enrol on a literature class near you  

Whether you prefer online learning from the comfort of your own home, or you want to attend an in-person class in your local community, we have a huge amount of flexibility to suit how you learn best. This means that you can pick the environment that’s right for you, giving you that piece of mind that you can learn in a place that you feel comfortable with. 

The support you’ll receive 

Our dedicated tutors will guide you through the different genres and time periods in English literature, helping you to develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect if you're a beginner.   

Our learning experience is one of the things that sets us apart, with many of our learners going on to achieve incredible things. You’ll learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have.  

Start your journey today and learn all about the works of Agatha Christie, Shakespeare and many, many more.  

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Literature: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

This short course explores Robert Noon (also known as Robert Tressell's) iconic text 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists'. This semi-autiobiographical work is considered by many to be a classic text in the history of British Socialism. This short course takes a detailed look at the text and its context to discuss its relevance today. This course is suitable for beginners and anyone interested in literature, socialism and the published word.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 02/02/2024 -
Fri 09/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Charing Cross Centre
17-19 St John Maddermarket
Norwich
Norfolk
NR2 1DN
Tutor:
Chad Goodwin
Course code:
Q00011284
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Literature: George Orwell and Burmese Days

Study of George Orwell’s early novel “Burmese Days” In the autumn of 1922 a young man sailed from Birkenhead to Rangoon. He was nineteen years old and about to join the Indian Imperial Police. His name was Eric Blair. Twelve years later Harper Brothers in New York published a novel called Burmese Days. No one in England had been keen to publish the novel. Its author was a little-known man called George Orwell. In the years that followed, Burmese Days turned out to have many publishers and many readers. In this course we shall consider how Eric Blair's five years of colonial service lent itself to the creation of George Orwell and why Burmese Days, which had such an unpromising beginning, is of perhaps more interest to us than it was to the reader of 1934. With Guest Speaker Virginia Gay.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 02/02/2024 -
Fri 09/02/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Charing Cross Centre
17-19 St John Maddermarket
Norwich
Norfolk
NR2 1DN
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00012395
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Literature: Literature of the Historical Moment

The course will explore two novels which, although very different in approach, are examples of the different ways in which writers seek to represent a contemporary of historical moment. The authors of both these texts have chosen to write about an era some decades before their own and we shall look at the time and pace in which each was produced and its relationship to the world represented. In each case we shall examine the techniques used by the authors in their creation of character, place and contemporary beliefs and behaviours.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 19/02/2024 -
Mon 29/04/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Trinity Baptist Church (Tenterden)
Ashford Road
Tenterden
TN30 6LR
Tutor:
Elizabeth Allen
Course code:
Q00013278
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Literature: Literature of the American Dream - from Gatsby to Wall Street 

A short course looking at how some great American writers – and fiction more generally, have been shaped and influenced by the American Dream

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 21/02/2024 -
Wed 27/03/2024
Times:
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Tutor:
Mark Bilsborough
Course code:
Q00012193
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

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For just £15 a year, you can:

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Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Foreign Languages: Reading Latin for Beginners

Discover the joy of studying Latin with a supportive tutor in a group of like-minded students. If you have covered the grammar required for GCSE and would like to begin to study Latin literature independently, this is the course for you. • consolidate and extend the grammar required for GCSE to meet the needs of reading Latin literature • translate, discuss and evaluate extracts from Virgil's Aeneid and Caesar's Gallic Wars. Don't worry if you feel rusty: you will have all the support and encouragement you need to experience the pleasure and satisfaction of embarking on the journey of reading Latin.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 22/02/2024 -
Thu 27/06/2024
Times:
11:45am - 1:45pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Tutor:
Penelope Fewster
Course code:
Q00012454
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £111.00

Literature: Appreciating Short Stories - Modern Masters and New Discoveries

Our greatest novelists are also often fantastic short story writers, and this day school highlights some of the short (but mighty) masterpieces that have stimulated generations of readers over the years.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 23/02/2024 -
Fri 23/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Lawrence Parish Rooms (Winchester)
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LH
Tutor:
Mark Bilsborough
Course code:
Q00009235
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £35.00

Literature: The Pioneering Prose and Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe

This course examines a selection of Edgar Allan Poe's writing, from short fiction to poetry, and traces the impact of his writing on a variety of genres including detective fiction, horror, narrative poetry and lyrical ballads. Texts to be studied include The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Pit and the Pendulum , Annabel Lee and The Raven. Everyone is invited to join this fascinating course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 27/02/2024 -
Tue 12/03/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
URC (Danbury)
Little Baddow Road
Danbury
CM3 4NS
Tutor:
Abbie Saunders
Course code:
Q00012950
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £28.50

Literature: Reading and Enjoying Great Writers

Calling all readers who have always wanted to read classic literary fiction, but don’t have time. We will probe, praise, parody, and generally know a lot more about great books. The course will remove the fear factor for participants who may have been hesitant to attack thick volumes of great literature. The sessions will enable students to decide what they like, and what writers they are less in tune with. Sessions that will be fun, intriguing, and informative. We will explore fascinating questions, such as: • What is Realism? • What is Magical Realism? • Why did Mantel win two Booker prizes? This course welcomes all those who are curious and enjoy reading.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 06/03/2024 -
Wed 13/03/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
2 sessions
Tutor:
Vanwy Arif
Course code:
Q00011917
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Literature: Fierce Tears - A Day With Dylan Thomas

On this course you will become acquainted with the life and work of a writer considered to be one of the nation’s literary giants. We will touch upon some of his best works while looking into his personal life and the context surrounding his infamous literature. Located in a safe and friendly environment, this class is a great way to learn something new and socialise with others.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 08/03/2024 -
Fri 08/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Lawrence Parish Rooms (Winchester)
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LH
Tutor:
Victoria Ramsay
Course code:
Q00009651
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £35.00

Care 2: Find Out About Bram Stoker and Dracula

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for, join us to learn about Dracula, one of the most well known gothic villains of all time, find out about what was behind Bram Stoker’s creation of this character? This session will explore aspects of Bram Stoker’s life including his time spent in Whitby, in order to think about what inspired him to create this infamous and long lasting vampire. This session will be a great way to learn something new and an opportunity to join with others in discussing this novel. This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for and you do not need to have previous experience of studying literature.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/04/2024 -
Thu 18/04/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Denise Hanrahan-Wells
Course code:
Q00011081
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free