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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Film & Media: Films for Wellbeing

‘Feel good’ movies are more than a cliché. We’re learning more and more about all the ways in which art and creativity are good for our health – from art and music therapy to reading on prescription. Watching films can be good for your well-being, too. In this brand-new 4-week course, we’ll explore together what films are good for our health and how. We’ll look at a different range of films from different genres that could all in their way help us maintain and manage our well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 01/07/2024 -
Mon 22/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ruth Mulandi
Course code:
Q00014311
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 place remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Art in the Olympic (South) Park - Walking Tour

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! Art in the Olympic (South) Park Walking Tour explores the public artworks in the south side of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is the first Olympic Park to integrate artworks into the landscape right from the start by established and emerging artists, international and local, which reflects the Park’s identity and is the home to West Ham’s Football Stadium. Discover artworks that are both large and striking, whilst others are smaller and harder to find, inspired by the undulating landscape, riverside, buried histories, community memories, and Olympic glory. The meeting point is the ArcelorMittal Orbit by Sir Anish Kapoor.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 07/07/2024 -
Sun 07/07/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: ArcelorMittal Orbit (Lond
Queen Elizabeth Olymipic Park,
London
E20 2AD
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00014493
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00

Film & Media: Video editing for community organisations

Having a social media presence has become an essential element of attracting group members, funding and as a tool to promote information and awareness of issues important to communities. In a previous course, Washington Support Group for Men filmed footage relating to their organisation and it’s aims. This short course is designed to introduce learners who are involved in this established community group to the process of editing and producing a video. The video can then be shared to an audience in person or online through platforms such as Facebook or YouTube. This may be for promotional purposes, or to provide evidence of activities to potential funders or the wider public.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 08/07/2024 -
Mon 29/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Washington Millennium Centre (WASHINGTON
The Oval
Concord
WASHINGTON
NE37 2QD
Tutor:
Graham Smith
Course code:
Q00015094
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Film & Media: 5 BBC Films Revisited

A friendly and accessible exploration boasting a second offering of five more recent 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:
Wed 10/07/2024 -
Wed 31/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00015238
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

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

Creative Writing: Writing Your First Novel: Getting Your Work Published

This course is a follow on to the previous ‘Writing Your First Novel’ courses but is also suitable for newly enrolling students with experience writing fiction and a manuscript that they wish to submit to agents and publishers. 'Writing your first Novel: Getting Published' is all about the various elements that writers need to be aware of when considering their writing work for submission in today’s market. The course is designed to allow student’s work to stand out in the competitive publishing market by ensuring that industry standards are met and maximise their opportunity of being noticed by a literary agent of publisher.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/07/2024 -
Thu 01/08/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Craig Rickard
Course code:
Q00015275
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Creative Writing: Creative Writing for Wellbeing

If you would like to learn how to use creative writing in a fun way to support your wellbeing and are interested in developing skills to express your thoughts and feelings, then this friendly and supportive course, which takes place at The Tamar Bridge Visitor and Learning Centre, with the spectacular backdrop of the Tamar Crossing, is the perfect course to get you started. Creative writing is an effective and rewarding way to develop your self-expression and a great way to make space and time for personal reflection. It can enable you to re-connect with both your creativity and learning. It has been shown that exploring creativity with words and the use of writing games can help us gain insight and perspective on our lives and can build confidence and stimulate problem solving. During this friendly and supportive course, you will develop some of these fun approaches to creative writing.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/07/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning
Tamar Bridge Office
Pemros Road
Plymouth
PL5 1LP
Tutor:
Heather White
Course code:
Q00014884
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Soho and its Heritage

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! As part of the WEA London Festival Art and About : A heritage walk through the heart of Soho meeting at Criterion Théâtre near Piccadilly Circus on Thursday July 18th meet at 11am ending near Tottenham Court Road Tube station Come and explore the Soho area famously known for its culture , yet their other interesting features institutions that exist in the area such as Churches , Old Hospitals and much more. We will explore how the area developed and why these are still important buildings today

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/07/2024 -
Thu 18/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Criterion Theatre
218-223 Piccadilly
St. James's
London
London
W1J 9HR
Tutor:
Selina Rice
Course code:
Q00014454
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.50

Creative Writing: Body Stories Workshop

This friendly four-hour creative writing workshop will invite you to enter into relationship with your bodies and surroundings. The session will be held in a supportive way and will integrate some simple yoga inspired movement (adaptable to all bodies), prompts for creative and reflective expression through writing, and even some environmental science! You will be guided to a holistic understanding of person and place. This course is ideal for people who like to write and to contemplate how to live more skilfully as individuals, as a community and in relationship with their surroundings. There will be time for sharing small parts of your writing towards the end of the workshop but no pressure, it’s about an unfolding individual/shared creative process and participants need to feel at ease to write freely.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 24/07/2024 -
Wed 24/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00014762
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Music Making: African Drumming for All

African Drumming Workshop A great way to end the working week! Whether you are a seasoned drummer or just curious to have a go, this practical workshop in African drumming will inspire you with music and culture. Our experienced tutor will guide the group to play the Djembe drums to create simple beats and harmonies. Let go of stress and end the week on a high note!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 26/07/2024 -
Fri 26/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
City Hall, Sunderland
Plater Way
Sunderland
SR3 2GJ
Tutor:
Mark Barfoot
Course code:
Q00015399
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: Art and About: Art in the Olympic (North) Park - Walking Tour

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! Art in the Olympic (North) Park Walking Tour explores the public artworks in the north side of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is the first Olympic Park to integrate artworks into the landscape right from the start by established and emerging artists, international and local, which reflects the Park’s identity, and the first to have an artist-in-residence during its construction. Discover artworks that are both large and striking, whilst others are smaller and harder to find, inspired by the undulating landscape, riverside, buried histories, community memories, and Olympic glory. The meeting point is Copper Box Arena on Waterden Rd.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 28/07/2024 -
Sun 28/07/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Copperbox Arena
Waterden Road
London
London
E20 3BS
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00014695
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

Reading Poetry: Lyric Poetry and Form

In this online, 10-week course you will read, explore and enjoy some key works by a selection of significant contemporary and historical poets in the English language, you will look at and consider a key example of a poetic form each week with scope to include a variety of notable poems that articulate this. In doing so, you will create some links between form, idea and writer. Alongside close reading of chosen poems we will engage with literary criticism on each poet, as well as poetry, form and poetics generally, exploring the backgrounds of each writer, their lives and their unique approach to the art of poetry, which should set the poems in context of time and the poet's life. Through this we will also look to understand how a particular sense of identity and voice has been created within the work we encounter.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/04/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
2:45pm - 4:45pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00013313
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £74.00