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: Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner

This interesting and thought-provoking session explores the controversial fine art created by unknown artist Banksy. From his first works in the early 1990s Banksy has fascinated society and mobilised the press with his expressive graffiti art . The course will be delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate. The session is tailored to allow learners the opportunity to consolidate their learning as the course is delivered by discussion of their learning outcomes and opinions in a friendly and engaging environment and there will be fun group activities during the course to check on understanding and learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022112
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Art Appreciation: Siena - City of Art

Siena is known as the ‘city of art’ and this exciting day school will take a wide ranging look at the cultural heritage of this beautiful Tuscan city to coincide with the current major exhibition in London. We shall examine not only the works of the better known medieval masters such as Duccio di Buoninsegna, the sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, and the Lorenzetti brothers, Pietro and Ambrogio, but also spend some time examining the later artistic heritage of Siena with Mannerist painters such as Sodoma, Beccafumi, and Francesco di Giorgio.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 16/05/2025 -
Fri 16/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Ambrose Allen Centre (Tadley)
2 Franklin Avenue
Tadley
RG26 4ET
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00022026
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Art Appreciation: Powerful Images: The Art of World War Two

Marking VE Day, this special three-hour session explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured, challenged, and chronicled the experience of the Second World War. From the chaos of the front lines to the quiet endurance of the home front, wartime art served many roles: propaganda, protest, documentation, and emotional release. We’ll delve into the work of official war artists, underground creatives, and those responding from exile or captivity. How did artists make sense of destruction, displacement, and victory? What images shaped public memory then—and now? Through powerful visuals and stories, we’ll explore how art shaped perception, preserved truth, and continues to frame how we remember one of the most defining conflicts in modern history.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 16/05/2025 -
Fri 16/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00022126
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Creative Writing

This inspiring and supportive course is designed to help learners explore the joy of storytelling, self-expression, and the written word. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to reignite your creativity, this course will guide you through the core elements of creative writing, including character development, dialogue, setting, poetry, and short stories. Through fun and imaginative writing exercises, you’ll build confidence in your unique voice and discover how writing can be both a creative outlet and a tool for personal growth.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 16/05/2025 -
Fri 25/07/2025
Location:
Donnison School (Sunderland)
The Donnison School Buildings
Church Walk
Sunderland
SR1 2BJ
Course code:
Q00022161
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Care 2: The Art of Romanovs - The Imperial Jewels

This course is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. We will be looking at the history and design of the Romanov Imperial Jewels including the famous Faberge Easter Eggs.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 17/05/2025 -
Sat 17/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00021817
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2: Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Do you love the enchanted world of stories? Remember how hearing stories read aloud made you warm and happy? Yes? Then this is the course for you. A friendly, gentle reading and self-discovery circle. The power of shared reading is good for the soul. Come discover modern fiction and true stories on heart-warming themes like friendship, community, hope, love and food. Each week we’ll read and reflect on the story, on our own lives. We’ll share and tell our own tales, from books we read as children, from stories of our own lives.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Tue 17/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00021449
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: L.S.Lowry

The renowned artist L. S Lowry was born in Manchester in a town called Stretford in the Victorian age of 1887. His work is very individual instantly and highly recognised as well as being celebrated throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. The course will be delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate. The session is tailored to allow learners the opportunity to consolidate their learning as the course is delivered by discussion of their learning outcomes and opinions in a friendly and engaging environment and there will be fun group activities during the course to check on understanding and learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022114
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Literature: Exploring Shakespeare’s Sonnets

In this course we will discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s Sonnet Sequence. We will discuss the evolution of the Sonnet, the Elizabethan sonnet boom, and Shakespeare’s sonnet sonnet, placing them in the context of the Elizabeth Age, its etiquette, manners, philosophy and attitudes to love. We will discover how important a knowledge of Shakespeare’s sexuality is, and how this impacts on the enduring mysteries relating to the addressee of the sonnets and the figures within the sonnets. Come along and engage in practical criticism of the works and exchange views in what will be a lively to and fro of ideas

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Thu 26/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021481
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

A History of Gardens & Garden Literature from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century

During this five week course you will discover the significant connections that exist between garden design and literature. Through an examination of gardens and literature, we will establish the history, philosophical, aesthetic and political ideas which underpin gardens and the literature generated by them. Gardens are as you will realise our dangerous and incendiary things. The course will be supported by images and extracts on Canvas, which aim to enrich your understanding of a fascinating period. Each week will focus on a number of gardens or design movements and literary extracts, which will be analysed and discussed. Come along and enjoy a lively and informative exchange of views.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 23/05/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021479
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Care 2: Women Artists - The Impressionists

This course is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. Study the contribution of three women artists to the Impressionist movement in early 20th Century.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 24/05/2025 -
Sat 24/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00021821
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free