Meet friends, have fun as you keep speaking English

The social programme is a weekly offering of popular activities designed to introduce you to Chester, to suggest fun activities and events for you to attend, and at the same time, make new friends easily, and complement your English language lessons.

Our social programme is a very important and much appreciated part of school life. Language and culture are closely linked so our programme of activities and excursions is designed to activate your English while you learn about British life and culture. You can visit many interesting places, share new experiences with students from all over the world, get to know your teachers outside of the classroom and have lots of fun.

Our Social Activities Organiser, a full-time member of staff, organises the social programme. When you arrive at the school in Chester on your first day, we’ll introduce you to our Social Activities Organiser, explain how activities work and what you have to do to sign up (reserve a place) on the activities, trips and excursions that you’re interested in.

The weekly social programme includes a range of activities, half-day excursions and full-day excursions at weekends. We also offer weekend excursions through a local company BusyBus.

  • activities include a walking tour of Chester on your first day, conversation club, book club, cream tea. Activities typically cost between £6 and £15.
  • half-day excursions include Anfield, Liverpool. They typically cost £15 to £30.
  • full-day excursions include the Lake District, North Wales, Manchester. Excursions cost £25 to £60.

Once you’re in school, we can also help you to plan other things you might like to do independently.

Social programme

Monday 18 March (afternoon) Book Club B1+

A club for students who enjoy reading, discussing books and learning new vocabulary, in a comfortable setting.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 19 March (evening) Bowling

The bowling evening is for all abilities and a great way to socialise with other students.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£8

Wednesday 20 March (afternoon) Chester City Walls Walk

Join the walk along the oldest, longest and most complete city walls of Britain. The walk provides fantastic views of the city and an insight into Chester's history.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Thursday 21 March (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Friday 22 March (afternoon) Cream Tea

Enjoy a traditional English cream tea and chat with fellow students.
Meet: Reception
Time: 15:00

£6

Saturday 23 March (full day trip) Lake District Trip

The Lake District sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful mountainous countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£60

Saturday 23 March (full day trip) Dunham Massey Trip

Nestled between the vibrant city of Manchester and the beginnings of rural Cheshire, Dunham Massey includes a 300-acre deer park, a historic house and buildings, and all-season gardens.
Meet: In front of the school
Time: 09:30

£20

Sunday 24 March (full day trip) North Wales Trip

As part of the North Wales sightseeing tour you will visit charming Welsh seaside towns, an ancient castle, and an amazing National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 09:30

£60

Monday 25 March (evening) Language and Culture Cafe

Meet local residents, practise your English and exchange cultures.
Meet: Storyhouse
Time: 19:00

Free

Tuesday 26 March (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Wednesday 27 March (afternoon) Chester City Walls Walk

Join the walk along the oldest, longest and most complete city walls of Britain. The walk provides fantastic views of the city and an insight into Chester's history.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Thursday 28 March (afternoon) Easter Craft Activity

Feeling artistic! Come along and take part in our Easter egg painting and other craft activities.
Meet: Room 3
Time: 16:00-17:00

£2

Friday 29 March (afternoon) Lunch Club

Lunch Club meets on the last Friday of the month and gives you the opportunity to enjoy lunch with friends!
Meet: Reception
Time: 13:30

£14

Saturday 30 March (full day trip) Lake District

The Lake District sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful mountainous countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£60

Saturday 30 March (afternoon) Taste Cheshire Food & Drink Festival

The Cheshire food and drink festival showcases traditional and local food and drink from Cheshire.
Meet: Chester Racecourse
Time: 10:00-18:00

£12

Sunday 31 March (full day trip) North Wales Trip

As part of the North Wales sightseeing tour you will visit charming Welsh seaside towns, an ancient castle, and an amazing National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 09:30

£60

Monday 1 April (afternoon) Book Club

A club for students who enjoy reading, discussing books and learning new vocabulary.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 2 April (evening) Ice Skating

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, our ice skating club at the local ice rink, offers you the chance to meet up with other students and have a lot of fun on the ice!
Meet: In front of the school
Time: 18:00

£12

Wednesday 3 April (evening) Musical Bingo

Bingo with a musical twist! Join us for musical bingo on the first Wednesday of every month.
Meet: The Botanist
Time: 20:00

Free

Thursday 4 April (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Friday 5 April (morning) Coffee Morning

Come along for a hot drink, slice of cake and a chat with fellow students.
Meet: Coffee Room
Time: 11:00

Free

Saturday 6 April (full day trip) Lake District

The Lake District sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful mountainous countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£50

Saturday 6 April (full day trip) Port Sunlight Village Trip

Come along to Port Sunlight, the village founded by ‘Soap King’ William Hesketh Lever in 1888. The village was built to house Lever’s ‘Sunlight Soap’ factory workers, but today is home to a fascinating museum, beautiful architecture, a world-class art gallery, stunning parkland and a thriving community.
Meet: ELC Chester
Time: 09:30

£25

Sunday 7 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

As part of the North Wales sightseeing tour you will visit charming Welsh seaside towns, an ancient castle, and an amazing National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 09:30

£60

Monday 8 April (afternoon) Book Club

A club for students who enjoy reading, discussing books and learning new vocabulary.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 9 April (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Wednesday 10 April (afternoon) Chester City Walls Walk

Join the walk along the oldest, longest and most complete city walls of Britain. The walk provides fantastic views of the city and an insight into Chester's history.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Thursday 11 April (afternoon) Badminton

Badminton club provides a great opportunity to meet new students, stay active, have friendly competition and fun!
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£5

Friday 12 April (afternoon) Cream Tea

Enjoy a traditional English cream tea and chat with fellow students.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£6

Saturday 13 April (full day trip) Lake District Trip

The Lake District sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful mountainous countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£60

Saturday 13 April (full day trip) Speke Hall Trip

Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in an unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. Restored in the 19th century, it is a unique mixture of Tudor simplicity and Victorian Arts and Crafts aesthetics.

£20

Sunday 14 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

As part of the North Wales sightseeing tour you will visit charming Welsh seaside towns, an ancient castle, and an amazing National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 09:30

£60

Monday 15 April (afternoon) Book Club

A club for students who enjoy reading, discussing books and learning new vocabulary.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 16 April (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Wednesday 17 April (afternoon) Chester City Walls Walk

Join the walk along the oldest, longest and most complete city walls of Britain. The walk provides fantastic views of the city and an insight into Chester's history.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Thursday 18 April (afternoon) Football

A football game provides friendly competition, a great way to meet new students, while having fun and staying active! Bring trainers and water.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£6

Friday 19 April (afternoon) Film Afternoon

Film Afternoon offers a wide range of films and free popcorn! Meet with other students and enjoy watching and engaging in films.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Saturday 20 April (full day trip) Lake District Trip

The Lake District sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful mountainous countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£60

Saturday 20 April (full day trip) Portmeirion

Portmeirion is an enchanting Italianate style village on the coast of North Wales, ideal for a day out.
Meet: In front of the school
Time: 09:30

£30

Sunday 21 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

As part of the North Wales sightseeing tour you will visit charming Welsh seaside towns, an ancient castle, and an amazing National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 09:30

£60

Monday 22 April (afternoon) Book Club

A club for students who enjoy reading, discussing books and learning new vocabulary.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 23 April (afternoon) Bowling

The bowling evening is for all abilities and a great way to socialise with other students.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£7

Wednesday 24 April (afternoon) Chester City Walls Walk

Join the walk along the oldest, longest and most complete city walls of Britain. The walk provides fantastic views of the city and an insight into Chester's history.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Thursday 25 April (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free

Friday 26 April (afternoon) Lunch Club

Lunch Club meets on the last Friday of the month and gives you the opportunity to enjoy lunch with friends!
Meet: Reception
Time: 13:30

£14

Saturday 27 April (full day trip) Lake District Trip

The Lake District sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful mountainous countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£60

Saturday 27 April (full day trip) Dunham Massey Trip

Nestled between the vibrant city of Manchester and the beginnings of rural Cheshire, Dunham Massey includes a 300-acre deer park, a historic house and buildings, and all-season gardens.

£20

Sunday 28 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

As part of the North Wales sightseeing tour you will visit charming Welsh seaside towns, an ancient castle, and an amazing National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 09:30

£60

Monday 29 April (afternoon) Book Club

A club for students who enjoy reading, discussing books and learning new vocabulary.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Monday 29 April (evening) Language and Culture Cafe

Meet local residents, practise your English and exchange cultures.
Meet: Storyhouse
Time: 19:00

Free

Tuesday 30 April (afternoon) Conversation Club

A great way to improve your communication skills, meet other students and discuss interesting topics.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

Free