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: 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:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

Literature: 1914 and All That - First World War Poets Rupert Brooke, Sassoon, Wilfred Owen

The poetry of the 1914-18 War has been much studied in the past 70 years, and many of the poets that we shall consider are now firmly established in the literary canon. We are familiar with their work and familiar with what they had to write of the terror and pity of those years. Rather than rehearsing the themes often associated with them, this course will strive to open a number of new perspectives including the following influences on their poetry. These are: • Rupert Brooke - what might have been. • The influence of sexuality on Owen and Sassoon. • The impact of madness on Ivor Gurney. • Class guilt in these poets. • The dangers of memory in Edward Thomas.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 18/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00012029
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

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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

Literature: True North - An Introduction to Scandinavian Literature in the Twentieth Century

This 10 week course will introduce the richness and complexity of modern Scandinavian literature. The texts we will discuss are: Heaven and Hell – John Kalman Stefansson. The Ice Palace – Tarjei Vesaas. Shyness and Dignity – Dag Solstad. The Royal Physician’s Visit – Per Olov Enquist. Doctor Glas – Hjalmar Soderberg. These five novels will introduce us to a range of different Scandinavian nations, ranging from Iceland to Sweden, and we will consider themes involving: • the traditions of storytelling. • the original Nordic noir in Doctor Glas. • the question of identity and psychological realism in The Ice Palace & Shyness and Dignity. • The historical novel in The Royal Physician’s Visit.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 18/03/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Steve Swift
Course code:
Q00012031
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Music Making: Choral Singing- Intermediate

Come together with other women to develop your choral singing skills! You'll work as a team to prepare empowering public performances for local events in Nottingham. The course will also cover techniques for maximising the potential of your own unique voice and exploring what it can add to the group. Please note: This is an intermediate level course and requires existing skills in order to take part.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 25/03/2024
Times:
5:45pm - 7:45pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Nottingham Womens Centre (NOTTINGHAM)
30 Chaucer Street
NOTTINGHAM
NG1 5LP
Tutor:
Lorna Poole
Course code:
Q00012396
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Film & Media: 5 More Wonders from David Lean Revisited

5 More Wonders from David Lean - Exploring a fresh selection of five cinematic works produced from the renown director David Lean furthering knowledge, understanding of the director’s work and film in general. David Lean, long regarded as an important figure in cinematic history and noted as the master of the screen epic. However, Lean had humble beginnings working as a newsreel editor, even before his move to Hollywood, he had a tally of smaller but memorable British classics. We revisit a mixed selection of Lean's output, some better known and more highly regarded than others.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 05/02/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00012283
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Film & Media: A Critical Journal - Reviewing BBC Film

A friendly and accessible exploration of ten cinematic works produced by BBC Film, promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation and confidence regarding film and cinema, also literacy skills, critical thinking and well-being in general. We examine, discuss and compile a critical journal reviewing a selection works from BBC Film promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation of film but also critical thinking, literacy skills and well-being, considering running themes and techniques whilst also highlighting specialist language and terminology, advancing literacy, communication skills and confidence in delivering informed feedback.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 18/03/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Westborough
Scarborough
YO11 1JW
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00012637
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Appreciation: Art and Faith

Are you fascinated by art and how it developed, and would like to know more? Humans have always expressed their spirituality through art, from the earliest cave drawings to contemporary installations in cathedrals. This course concentrates on how European art has depicted the Christian faith, but also looks at the art of Islam and the Indian art of Buddhism and Hinduism. Beginning with cave art around the world, we look at some of the earliest artistic expressions of humanity’s search for the beyond. Buddhist and Hindu art from the centuries before Christ is discussed, as is art from the earliest roots of Islam from the seventh century onwards.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 12/02/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00009346
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Art Appreciation: Flemish Art in the Fifteenth Century

This course is a detailed exploration of the artists who flourished in the Low Countries during fifteenth century, a tie of great artistic flourishing for this part of the world. Two important case studies will be the van Eyck family, Jan (1390 - 1441) and his brothers Hubert (1385 - 1426) and Lambert, and their sister Margareta, and the Netherlandish painter Rogier van der Weyden (1399 - 1464). Other artists considered include Petrus Christus, Hans Memling, Hugo van der Groes and Hieroymus Bosch. As well as learning more about the well-known artists of this time, come and join us to make discoveries of lesser-known artists and their masterpieces. No previous knowledge of art appreciation or the history of the Low Countries is necessary. Everyone is invited to join this fascinating course!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 18/03/2024
Times:
10:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Hatfield Road Methodist Church (St. Alba
133b Hatfield Road
St. Albans
AL1 4JX
Tutor:
Madeline Edmead
Course code:
Q00012262
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00