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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History: The Silk Road

Embark on a fascinating journey through time and space as we unravel the mysteries and marvels of the Silk Road. This 10-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most significant trade routes in history, tracing its origins, evolution, and enduring legacy. From the bustling marketplaces of ancient cities to the cross-cultural exchanges that shaped empires, we will delve into the rich tapestry of cultures, economies, and ideas that flourished along this ancient network of trade routes. · This course will offer a rich interdisciplinary exploration of the Silk Road, drawing on historical texts, archaeological evidence, visual media, and discussion to deepen understanding of its pivotal influence in world history.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 10/09/2025 -
Wed 26/11/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00022290
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Art Appreciation: An Introduction to How to Look at Paintings.

Have you ever wondered how to look at a painting or what draws you to it? This session will give you an introduction and some key pathways to develop your understanding and appreciation of paintings. Looking at how the painter makes depth and Space or how the painter uses colour and light. We will mainly study the technical and visual aspects of a painting: What is a painting made of? And how to look at its scale, format, composition, colours, lines and texture? This is quite literally an “eye-opener”, and should make your next visits to art galleries even more enjoyable!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/09/2025 -
Thu 11/09/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00023271
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.00

Art Appreciation: SATIRE TO PROPAGANDA

Ranging from the satirical, even salacious, scenes of William Hogarth, through the often shocking socio-political criticism of Georg Grosz's work during the Weimar Republic, to the state-controlled art of Soviet Socialist Realism, this course explores the power of art to criticize and/or celebrate the social, political and cultural developments of their times.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/09/2025 -
Mon 27/10/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00022701
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Intermediate Latin

This stimulating and enjoyable course will continue you on the journey of learning Latin. This course is for students who have taken a Beginners’ course and would like to move onto the next level. Studying Latin is an exciting opportunity not only to learn a new language, but to understand more about English and other modern languages and how the Romans and their language have influenced later societies - and continue to do so. With a combination of lively online classes and a variety of resources for independent work, you will discover the joys of learning Latin in with a group of like-minded people.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 02/10/2025 -
Thu 05/02/2026
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Penelope Fewster
Course code:
Q00023024
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £111.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Reading Latin (Intermediate)

Would you like to further develop your ability to read and enjoy Latin literature? You will use the Latin you have already learnt to translate, discuss and analyse original Latin literature, both verse and prose. In this intermediate level group you will develop more independence in translation through a mixture of immersive learning through reading Latin and analytical work in consolidating and extending your understanding of the Latin language. Lively discussion and exercises as part of a supportive group in the online sessions will be backed up by plentiful opportunities to work independently between sessions with a range of quizzes and assignments.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 02/10/2025 -
Thu 05/02/2026
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Penelope Fewster
Course code:
Q00023029
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £111.00

Art History: Women Painters in Renaissance Art

This course will cover a discussion of the importance of the social and sexual mores of the times in history. In four weeks we will look at the lives and works of these remarkable women. Starting with the virtually unknown Sister Plautilla Nelli, followed by Sofonista Anguissola, Lavinia Fontana and finally Artemisia Gentileschi. We will cover the problems that faced them because of the historical place women were in at this time due to their sex and then at the ways they employed to get round these societal problems. Then we shall study their body of work in the context of the moment of history that they lived in.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 12/01/2026 -
Mon 09/02/2026
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Phillips
Course code:
Q00022294
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Literature: British novels of the 1970s

The 1970s saw exciting new developments in the British novel. Fiction took a dystopian turn, but there were also new voices in detective novels, SF, fantasy and the literary novel. We’ll be able to share and debate interpretations, sharpen our critical and appreciative faculties, understand what fiction can tell us about the society and culture that produced it, and, hopefully, be inspired to read other works by the writers featured on the course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/01/2026 -
Tue 24/03/2026
Times:
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Redbridge Institute of Adult Education (
Gaysham Avenue
Gants Hill
Ilford
IG2 6TD
Tutor:
Brandon Robshaw
Course code:
Q00022945
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Film & Media: Conversational English and British Values Using Film Studies

Aimed at an intake of learners from the refugee community within the local (Scarborough area) - a fun and accessible way to practice and develop conversational English skills, understanding what is meant by term British Values watching and discussing a selection of clips from Film and Television, encouraging new knowledge and learning skills but also: Practicing vocabulary and phrases for everyday situations, such as greetings, introductions, and simple conversations about personal information, family, and daily activities, enabling learners to participate in community life more, furthering the ablity to support a child's well-being, leraner's own independant living and improving well-being all round. A community centred environment where students can practice English naturally whilst also considering how the films/clips selected also relate to British values and applying some learning skills. Ideal wish to understand more about particular points of reference or turns of phrase which may otherwise seem confusing.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/01/2026 -
Thu 26/03/2026
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Westborough
Scarborough
YO11 1JW
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00022658
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Reading Latin (Intermediate)

Would you like to further develop your ability to read and enjoy Latin literature? You will use the Latin you have already learnt to translate, discuss and analyse original Latin literature, both verse and prose. In this intermediate level group you will develop more independence in translation through a mixture of immersive learning through reading Latin and analytical work in consolidating and extending your understanding of the Latin language. Lively discussion and exercises as part of a supportive group in the online sessions will be backed up by plentiful opportunities to work independently between sessions with a range of quizzes and assignments.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/02/2026 -
Fri 26/06/2026
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Penelope Fewster
Course code:
Q00023105
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £111.00

Literature: British novels of the 1960s

There is an energy and vitality about 1960s British fiction, with new developments in postcolonial fiction, spy fiction, science fiction and children’s fantasy. We begin with Alan Garner’s The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and end with 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. We’ll be able to share and debate interpretations, sharpen our critical and appreciative faculties, understand what fiction can tell us about the society and culture that produced it, and, hopefully, be inspired to read other works by the writers featured on the course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 19/05/2026 -
Tue 23/06/2026
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Brandon Robshaw
Course code:
Q00022422
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40