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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Creative Writing: Poetry as Spiritual Practice

Discover the wonderful world of poetry on this creative writing course. Whether you are seasoned lover of poetry, or initiating an interest, you will love this course. This is a friendly course providing a nourishing blend between reading and writing, guiding you to look at poems through a spiritual lens. The aim is to help you discover how poems can deepen your spiritual practice and bring more awareness to your life and writing. It is ideal for those who love words and meaning and who want to benefit from a writing community to share ideas, poems and practice with others.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 18/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Shekinah Endeavour House (Torquay)
Endeavour House, 228 Union Str
Torquay
TQ2 5QS
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00012917
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: From Kings to Citizens: the History and Culture of the French Revolution 1789-1799

Explore one of the most tumultuous political decades in French history through the radical changes to society and culture. As the political changes swept away the ancient regime we will look at those who stepped in to that vacuum, such as Robespierre and Barras. We will look at the attempts to create a new world that drew thinkers from outside of France, like Mary Wollstonecraft. We will see how the Revolution was visualised and exported, adopted and adapted abroad.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/01/2024 -
Mon 18/03/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Barking Enterprise Centre CIC (Barking)
50 Cambridge Road
Barking
IG11 8FG
Tutor:
Amy Miller
Course code:
Q00013051
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Literature: The World’s (Ancient Greek) Wives - Poems of Carol Ann Duffy

In this course we will read and discuss a number of poems featuring women from ancient Greece in Carol Ann Duffy’s collection. The World’s Wife. We will take a detailed look at the poems themselves, as well as the background myths and stories about their featured character. 

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 26/03/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Tutor:
Kim Shahabudin
Course code:
Q00009202
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 place remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £88.00

Creative Writing: Written in the Style of...More Iconic writers

Have fun, find inspiration and develop creativity as we put the focus on tapping into the styles, structures and themes of a selection of iconic writers. Ever wished you could dash off a tale like Dickens? Bewitch the reader like Bronte or produce the wicked delight of Dahl? Perhaps the fantasy worlds of Terry Pratchett are more your thing - of you have a desire to pen crime story more akin to one from Val McDermid? There is no need to be an avid fan or reader of any of the writers covered - the focus is on what knowledge, skills, inspiration and motivation we take from each session.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 06/02/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00012640
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Film & Media: 5 Wonders from Peter Greenaway

Learn all about the five film wonders from Peter Greenaway explores five films from one of Britain’s most celebrated ‘art house’ directors. Advance your knowledge, understanding and deepen your love and appreciation for the art of film.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 06/02/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00009769
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Literature: Poetry as a Spiritual Practice

Discover the wonderful work of poetry with this creative writing course. Whether you are seasoned lover of poetry or just initiating an interest, you will love this course. This is a friendly course providing a nourishing blend between reading and writing poetry and you will be guided to look at poems through a spiritual lens. The aim is to help you discover how poems can deepen your spiritual practice and bring more awareness to your life and writing while practising having the self confidence to express yourself. It is ideal for those who love words and meaning and who want to benefit from a writing community to share ideas, poems and practice with others. Beginners and those with previous experience are welcome.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 19/03/2024
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00009880
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Art Appreciation: The High Renaissance - Meet the Rivals

As this is a very short course and it is a very big part of art history, I am suggesting we look at the seminal Renaissance painters: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. We will be discussing the history and meanings of their paintings, as well as their patrons, local history and the social context in which they were created. The first three came from the artistic cauldron that was fifteenth/sixteenth century Florence. As a complete stylistic contrast, the other great artist came from Venice, renowned for its glamour, its riches and its very special light.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 06/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Tutor:
Kate Phillips
Course code:
Q00012181
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

History: Nature in Art

Throughout the years, nature has had different places and meanings in art: from mere background to an independent genre. In this short course, we will study some examples from early 17th century Dutch landscape, to contemporary works dealing with climate change. This will include works of art as diverse as Chinese hand-scroll paintings, the paintings of flowers, Romantic landscape paintings, the Impressionist works of art, and political installations and performances. We will reflect on the way works of art reflect the way our perception of the natural environment has changed throughout the years.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 06/02/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00012270
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Art Appreciation: The Story of Scottish Art

This course explores fascinating and often beautiful Scottish artworks and the artists who made them. We set these artists and artworks in their social and historical circumstances, circumstances which were so different from those in England. Examples of artists discussed include Allan Ramsay in the eighteenth century, Henry Raeburn in the early-nineteenth century, David Wilkie, the Glasgow Boys, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Scottish Colourists and multi-talented designers including Phoebe Traquair and the Macdonald Sisters. No previous experience of art or the history of Scotland is necessary- all students are very welcome.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 19/03/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Christchurch United Reform Church (Chelm
164 New London Road
Chelmsford
CM2 0AW
Tutor:
Rosanna Eckersley
Course code:
Q00012237
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Appreciation: 17th Century Dutch Art

This course is a detailed exploration of the artists who flourished in the Netherlands during the first half of the seventeenth century, which became known as the Golden Age of Dutch Art. Two important case studies will be the painter and printmaker Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 - 1669) and the portrait artist Frans Hals the elder (1582 - 1666). Other artists considered include Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Nicolaes Maes and Judith Leyster. 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 Dutch history is necessary. everyone is invited to join this fascinating course!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 09/01/2024 -
Tue 19/03/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (Berkhamsted)
289 High Street
Berkhamsted
HP4 1AJ
Tutor:
Madeline Edmead
Course code:
Q00012284
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00