Our Social programme in Chester

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

Wednesday 26 March (afternoon) Badminton

Come along to our local sports centre for a few games of Badminton. Stay active, have friendly competition and fun!
Meet: Reception
Time: 15:00

£5

Thursday 27 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 28 March (afternoon) Drama Club

The monthly drama club helps you learn about theatre arts and boost your communication skills and creativity.
Meet: Common Room
Time: 14:00 - 15:30

Free

Saturday 29 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

Sunday 30 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

£50

Monday 31 March (afternoon) Games Afternoon

Join us as we play a variety of board, card and dice games!
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 1 April (evening) Open Mic Night

Come along to Alexander's Live, listen to local musicians and experience Chester's longest running Open Mic Night.
Location: Alexander's Live CH1 2JW
Time: 19:30
Suggested Activity

Free Entry

Wednesday 2 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

Thursday 3 April (evening) Musical Bingo

Bingo with a musical twist! Join us for musical bingo on the first Thursday of every month.
Location: The Botanist CH1 2DY
Time: 20:00
Suggested Activity

Free

Friday 4 April (afternoon) Sick to Death

Explore Chester's dark history with a gory story of medicine through time.
Location: Sick to Death Museum CH1 1NW
Time: 14:00
Suggested Activity

£6 +

Saturday 5 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

Sunday 6 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

£60

Monday 7 April (evening) Chester Humanists: Open Discussion

On the first Monday each month there is an opportunity to discuss a topic relevant to life. Participants can hear and exchange thoughts and opinions on a range of topics.
Meet: Storyhouse
Time: 18:00 - 20:00

Free

Tuesday 8 April (afternoon) Bowling

Can you get a strike!
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£8

Wednesday 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

Cost of a drink

Thursday 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

Friday 11 April (afternoon) Badminton

Play badminton stay active, have friendly competition and fun!
Meet: Northgate Arena
Time: 16:00

£5

Saturday 12 April (full day trip) Yorkshire Trip

Yorkshire provides a timeless journey through quaint traditions and gloriously green landscapes, taking you from Victorian market towns to Roman cities, stately homes to colourful fishing villages.

£60

Sunday 13 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

£60

Monday 14 April (afternoon) Quiz Afternoon

Work in teams answering questions on international culture and general knowledge. Which team will win a prize!
Meet: Common Room
Time: 16:00

Free

Tuesday 15 April (evening) Ice Skating

Even if you're a beginner, come along and have some fun on the ice!
Meet: Chester Bus Interchange
Time: 18:00

£12

Wednesday 16 April (afternoon) Conversation Club

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

Free

Thursday 17 April (afternoon) Football

A football game provides friendly competition, while having fun and staying active! Bring trainers and water.
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£5

Friday 18 April (afternoon) Delamere Forest Trip

Enjoy a nature walk through a large woodland in the village of Delamere in Cheshire.
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 14:00

£7

Saturday 19 April (full day trip) Lake District Trip

The Lake District has been home to and inspiration for famous writers and poets such as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. The sightseeing tour takes you to beautiful hilly countryside in a National Park.
Book your ticket at ELC Reception!
Meet: Chester Railway Station
Time: 08:30

£60

Sunday 20 April (full day trip) North Wales Trip

£60

Monday 21 April (evening) Up & Running Chester Social Run Group

The Social Run Group is a fun and friendly, weekly free 5K run for runners of all abilities.
Meet: Up & Running CH1 1NW
Time: 18:00 (weekly on Mondays)
Suggested Activity

Free

Tuesday 22 April (evening) Bowling

Can you get a strike!
Meet: Reception
Time: 16:00

£8

Wednesday 23 April (evening) The Arthouse Social

Come along to the Arthouse for an evening of crafting, creating and conversation!
Meet: The Arthouse Cafe
Time: 17:00 - 20:00
Suggested Activity

Free

Thursday 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

Friday 25 April (afternoon) Badminton

Come along to our local sports centre for a few games of Badminton. Stay active, have friendly competition and fun!
Meet: Reception
Time: 15:00

£5

Saturday 26 April (full day trip) Yorkshire

Yorkshire provides a timeless journey through quaint traditions and gloriously green landscapes, taking you from Victorian market towns to Roman cities, stately homes to colourful fishing villages.

£60