Courses - Online & in London

The 1950s was the beginning of the end for the Hollywood studio era, a golden age in place since the 1920s. The fifties are more difficult to pin down than the 1930/40s due to explosive diversity in both subject matter and cinematic technology, the profound influence of WWII, the development of European neorealism and the first signs of the French New Wave. An emphasis on teen culture emerged, represented by the brief career of James Dean. Film stars became anti-heroes. The moguls who founded Hollywood began to disappear. The studio business model was doomed. Hollywood reacted both defensively and creatively, going for broke—and producing some of the finest and most enduring films in its history, films that transformed the culture, from Sunset Blvd. (1950) to Some Like It Hot (1959)—both by Billy Wilder. From The Asphalt Jungle (1950) to The Misfits (1961)— Marilyn Monroe’s first and final films, both directed by John Huston. From Here To Eternity (1953 Fred Zinnemann) to A Place in the Sun (1951 George Stevens, part of his American trilogy). Fifties’ films reflected a darkening America. (See related courses on Fifties Musicals, Melodrama and Film Noir).

Learn Chinese Mandarin on this lively online course.







This course is designed for beginners who have little or no prior knowledge of Chinese.



Whether you're a student, professional, or simply curious about the language and culture, this course will equip you with the essential skills to communicate confidently in Mandarin.



Our emphasis on speaking ensures that you'll be able to engage in meaningful conversations from the very first lesson. You'll learn useful phrases, expressions, and idioms, enabling you to communicate effectively in various social and everyday situations.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Come and improve your upper-intermediate German. Suitable if you have studied the language for at least four years (1.5 hours per week) or 2 years (3 hours per week). Based on Aspekte NEU B1+, 2. Teil.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

With a population of 214 million, Brazil is the sixth largest country in the world by population size. This course aims to introduce you to Portuguese mainly as spoken in Brazil, and is taught by a native Brazilian, though you'll cover other varieties of Portuguese as well. You'll learn how to introduce yourself, talk about yourself and your family, and begin building your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills so that you can build a solid base for future study.

Deepen your knowledge of Hebrew grammar and further develop your ability to translate from the Bible.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Learn strategies to help you speak more easily. You'll also work on becoming less sensitive about stammering, reducing avoidance strategies and developing self confidence. Designed specifically for people who stammer /stutter.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Continue learning to translate the Bible from Hebrew with confidence, understanding what translations are unable to convey.

Continue learning to speak Japanese, with the emphasis on developing your listening and speaking skills,



Suitable if you have completed Japanese beginners intensive: module 1 or learn Japanese in a complete beginners course for a term.

Learn how to share and express your emotions via hobbies, interests, everyday activites etc to friends, family and the wider world through drawings, posters, photographs, videos etc.



This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Existentialist themes of anxiety, anguish, dread, freedom, melancholy, loneliness, death and absurdity pervade the arts from the era of Romanticism onwards. What is the cultural significance and consequence of giving expression to such concerns?



NB: no classes on 6th and 27th May.

This is a stand-alone companion course to the Autumn ’23 course on the Sight and Sound Poll of the Greatest Films of All Time. The first reactions to the Sight and Sound Poll 2022 were divisive, as completely expected, when certain 21st-century films made the list and other venerated classics were dropped (see topics below for the list). As interesting as the top 100 was to discuss, we wanted to look a bit deeper to see how the reception of certain films shifted over the last decade, with a rundown of the films that were added and those removed. Be assured, they are as enjoyable as the Top 100—perhaps even more so. In addition to viewing the films that were added or dropped, students will conduct their own poll of the Greatest Films of All Time. Enjoy either or both of these complementary courses.