How do we cope with teenagers? What's going on in their minds? Can you get under their skin and find out what makes them tick? Explore these questions through six novels: Kes by Barry Hines Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison The Wrong Boy by Billy Russell The Midnight Library by Matt Haigh Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky What do books about teenage years tell us about ourselves and our own teenagers?
Course aim
Understanding teenagers through teenage fiction. Is this even possible? Do you remember being teenage, can books capture that feeling and take us back to it, or is that all in the past?
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Started or part part-read new and old fiction for and about teenagers
- Consider how life looks through the eyes of teenagers and consider who is writing to/for teenagers
- Expand your reading list with current and past authors.
- Meet and talk with other readers through the magic of Zoom.
- Use this book club as a starting point for further reading.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
- You will be expected to carry out a range of activities in your own time
- You'll need to read these books.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- It would be helpful if you had access to the internet (Mobile phone, tablet or computer at home or through a library etc.)
- All the books are available on line - second-hand versions are available online.
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will need to buy or borrow (most libraries are still open) the books on the list. Oh, and read (some of all of) them.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet







