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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Literature: Selected plays by Aristophanes

Aristophanes (c.450-388 BCE) writing in the Fifth Century is regarded as the key author in Ancient Greek comedy. His plays will be studied, read and workshopped. We shall look at how his plays might be put on, and staged today. His plays often have structures similar to a sketch show and he uses many comic devices still popular with comedians today. His plays are a little rude though (sometimes very rude). We shall look at how he creates his comic characters and situations. We shall discuss the issues that he wants to write about and consider if these are still relevant to a modern audience trying to make sense of the political and social world today. Over ten weeks, two to three plays will be discussed and workshopped to appreciate the various theatrical devices that Aristophanes often uses.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Greenleaf Centre (Walthamstow)
67-69 Greenleaf Road
Walthamstow
E17 6QP
Tutor:
Thomas Crowe
Course code:
Q00017605
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Literature: The Literature of Migration

Migration always brings a story. Whether migration stems from joyful exploration and curiosity, or is the result of loss, coercion or danger, each narrative tells us something new. In this course, we will be considering the portrayal of migration, the many contexts which lead to authors writing about migration, and how other themes are bound in with this idea. In our discussions together, we will be considering a wide range of texts and genres from across the ages, and working to expand our understanding of such a fundamental experience.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Clare Jackson
Course code:
Q00018507
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Beginners Ukrainian

Would you like to start learning how to speak in Ukrainian? Would you like to communicate with your friends or colleagues who speak the language? Then this is the course for you. This is the basic course which runs for 8 weeks so you can learn the basics of the language. You do not have to do any assessments to join the course as this is for beginners. You will be taught by a qualified tutor who was born in Ukraine and has lived in the UK teaching English for a number of years.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/03/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kovalenko
Course code:
Q00019099
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Art Appreciation: Highlights of Tate Britain

Discover for the first time, or re-visit an old favourite, this course will introduce you to a wide range of artworks from the national collection of Tate Britain in London. We explore specific works by historical, modern and contemporary artists in relation to wider cultural and social contexts. The aim of the course is to develop confidence and visual literacy skills when looking at and discussing art in London’s galleries. On this course, we examine work by prominent artists as diverse as Anthony Van Dyck, Joan Carlile, William Blake, JMW Turner, the Pre-Raphaelites, Gwen John, Sarah Lucas and Lubaina Himid.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Chantal Condron
Course code:
Q00019206
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Literature: German Literature Post 1945

This course, composed of new texts, builds on similar courses on German literature given by Stephen Smith. Four novels and one poet will be analysed and placed in context over the 10 weeks’ duration of the course. The first text, The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, was actually written in 1938, but having recently been rediscovered, it is too good not to include. We will begin with this novel and then explore: Vertigo - WG Sebald. Lost - Hans Ulrich Treichel. Kairos - Jenny Erpenbeck. The Poetry of Durs Grunbein. The course will offer great scope for discussion of excellent texts, which are intellectually, imaginatively and emotional stimulating.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017914
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Literature: Dutch Short Stories

This five week course will introduce you to an often neglected area of the European short story, this being stories from the Netherlands. Each of the five stories can be found in The Penguin Book of Dutch Short Stories, which is the text we will work from. The stories for consideration and analysis are: Young Titans - Nescio. The Sirens - Maria Dermout. The Portrait - Hella Haasse. Paula - Cees Nooteboom. Sunrise Day - Margriet De Moor. The course will involve lectures, discussions and advice on further research into the subject. Each session will dissect a narrative and relate its context, meaning and style.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017912
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Foreign Languages: Intermediate French

Do you want to feel confident communicating in French? Build on your knowledge of grammar and expand your vocabulary in this intermediate French language course. Boost your language skills so you feel comfortable communicating in everyday situations. Order food and drink, ask for directions, and understand basic instructions. After this improver’s French course, you'll feel confident expressing yourself in the French language. Studying a French language course is also a great way to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the country. ● Consolidate your understanding of the grammatical tenses covered in the beginner’s course. ● Develop resources to take part in conversations and role plays. ● Understand basic grammatical structures to be able to get by in everyday situations. ● Expand your vocabulary through a variety of texts from books, news, and online sources. ● Sharpen your listening skills through audiovisual activities

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sasha Novikova
Course code:
Q00016300
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

Creative Writing: Return of the Short Story

The short story is making a comeback - varied, rule-breaking and fun, interest in this once side-lined form is expanding. Writing a compelling short is a craft within itself and sometimes regarded as a ‘dark art’ - Does every word really need to count? When does the story really start? When should it end? We explore the varying forms, cross the genres and consider the outlets. There’s never been a better time to find inspiration and get motivated, if you have an idea for a story - now is the time.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00020226
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Film Studies: 5 Forgotten Gems of French Cinema

A friendly and accessible course looking at a selection of 5 films from France, we examine, have fun and discuss a selection of often overlooked works from France, some classic and some more modern. A selection of ‘convention breakers’, you may wonder why you’ve never seen. This course aims to promote knowledge, understanding, appreciation and confidence regarding film and cinema in general, whilst also aiding our critical thinking and well-being in general. We consider running themes, artistic intentions, critical and audience appeal then and now. Identifying differing techniques and approaches, historical context; whilst also highlighting specialist language and terminology: developing communication skills and confidence in delivering informed feedback.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00020080
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Creative Writing: Start Your Memoir

Come write that story that you’ve been meaning to write! We get inspired into our own story by reading short extracts of published memoir and essays. The tutor teaches an element of craft each week to try out in our writing. We will have writing exercises in class which we can share to receive gentle feedback from peers and the tutor. You will leave feeling satisfied you put pen to paper. And made friends too!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
The Good Story
45 St Leonards Road
Bexhill
TN40 1JA
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00020138
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00