Language Culture and Philosophy and Politics
Looking to broaden your horizons and learn a language or explore different cultures? Interested in delving into the world of philosophy? Our courses are designed to help you on your of discovery. Join us today and start your adventure!
Japanese Writing & Conversation
Discover the beauty of the Japanese language in this friendly and welcoming course led by Takae.
Perfect for beginners and enthusiastic learners alike, this class introduces basic conversation, hiragana writing, everyday expressions, and cultural insights to help you build confidence in both spoken and written Japanese.
Across six enjoyable sessions you will learn how to:
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Write and recognise key Japanese characters
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Use practical phrases for real-life situations
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Develop clear pronunciation and listening skills
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Gain cultural understanding to enhance communication
Whether you're learning for travel, personal interest, or simply to try something new, this course offers a relaxed and supportive environment to enjoy the Japanese language and culture.
Politics without the Shouting
Curious about politics, but put off by arguments, noise and negativity?
This gentle taster session offers a calm and welcoming introduction before the full course begins the following week.
Politics doesn’t have to be about angry voices or cynical headlines. At its heart, politics explores meaningful questions:
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What kind of society do we want?
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How should opportunities and resources be shared?
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How do we balance freedom, fairness and responsibility?
Disagreement is natural — but it can be thoughtful, respectful and constructive.
Join us to explore how political discussion can be civil, reflective and even enjoyable, and discover whether this course is for you.
Political Philosophy:
Are ‘Left Wing’ and ‘Right Wing’ Still Relevant?
For over two centuries, the terms left wing and right wing have shaped our understanding of politics. Yet in modern democracies, the landscape has become far more complex. Parties once clearly aligned with one side now borrow ideas from the other, and new movements challenge traditional labels altogether.
In this course, Bettina invites you to explore whether the left–right divide still helps us make sense of politics today.
We will examine:
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Classic left-wing traditions: socialism, social democracy, anarchism
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Right-wing currents: conservatism, nationalism, fascism, libertarianism
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The rise of green politics and cross-ideological coalitions
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How populism blurs ideological boundaries
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Whether power is best centralised or distributed across society
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Ideas from key political theorists and modern commentators
Through discussion and guided reading, you will gain greater confidence in understanding political ideas, democratic values and the evolving spectrum of beliefs in the 21st century.
No prior political knowledge is required — just curiosity and an open mind.
