ELSE Social Programme
 
I've been involved in a variety of the events organised by the social programme at ELSE over the last few months, including a couple of film nights, a Jack the Ripper tour and our very own Valentine's Day party!  Overall I think it's a great way for students to get to know each other out of their usual classroom environment and a good opportunity for them to talk to students from different classes and of all levels. It helps them to build their confidence and practise speaking English in social situations, as well as learn about British culture, for example Christmas pantomimes and quizzes in traditional English pubs!
 
I really enjoyed organising the Valentine's Day party with Laura and it was something that all levels could enjoy. Everyone really got into the spirit of things and bought along food and drink for all to share!  The students got to mingle with everyone in the room through the 'speed-talking' activity where they had three minutes to talk to each person.  It was great to see them spending time with people they wouldn't necessarily get a chance to speak to during school time and social events like this help them to make new friends within the school.  It also gives the teachers a chance to get to know students from other classes that they don't teach.  This helps make the students feel more comfortable in the school because they recognise more people and see friendly, familiar faces in the corridors! The day after the Valentine's Day Party and the international food party, the students that attended were telling others that they had a great time which in turn, encourages others to go to upcoming events.
 
The film nights we've done have also been very successful. Some students may be reluctant to pay to go the cinema for fear of not understanding the film but our film nights are free and are a good introduction for students to realise that they can understand more than they think. We choose British films with accents that the students are more used to and at the end, we explain any vocabulary they have flagged up - usually colloquial language which they may have heard previously just through living in London but have never known what it meant!  After watching Shaun of the Day, my students who came to it were teaching their fellow classmates new vocabulary they had learnt!
 
Another interesting cultural event was the evening of the Jack the Ripper tour which was arranged around the time of Halloween to get students in the mood! I think they found it particularly relevant because we walked all around the area that they know due to the location of the school.  Although a few of the lower level students sometimes found it difficult to keep up with what the tour guide was saying, myself and Derren were on hand to explain things to them as we went along. After the tour, we even stopped off in one of the original pubs where one of Jack the Ripper's victims used to drink!
 
So, come to the ELSE social events - learn new things, practise speaking English and make new friends! 

Teacher's perspective VICKY

 

The social programme started on the 31^st of October with the Jack the Ripper Walk around Whitechapel. 9 students attended. The latest even was on valentines day where we has a party at the school and about 20 students were present.

How did we come up with the ideas? Well we created a questionnaire to find out what kinds of activities the students would be interested in doing. From there we devised an outline of activities per week.

Various teachers each week take it in turn to advertise the upcoming events by creating posters and then visiting the classrooms making the students aware of the details of the events.

 

The students are always given the option to travel with a teacher to the chosen venue. This is normally done by tube or by bus. Most of the events are relatively near to the school.

 

The price range depends on the event but generally it goes from Free to £15 (there will be occasions where the price will be higher for example going to a West-end theatre or to Windsor Castle)

 

It is important for the students to attend as it gives them a chance to meet other students from other classes. By giving regular openings to meet up they start organising outings amongst them selves, making their stay more pleasurable.

 

 

Name Thomas Eccheli  Level Advanced

Teacher James              Time 9-12.10

 

I took part to almost all social events organised by the school during my stay from November to January. Where the events took place depended on which event, of course. The Bowling-night usually took place in a leisure-centre in Surrey Quays, while the films were shown in the little café next to the school.

The information sheets given by the teachers were generally very well structured and contained the key information of every event like the venue, time and price (which is always good to know in advance!). I enjoyed all the events I went to. But if there is one I liked the most, it was the Bowling-night. If I really have to pick the one I didn't like, I will take the Drama-evening at the Pub in Kensington. I mean, the story of Sherlock Holmes was interesting but pretty much incomprehensible!

Well, apart from knowing new people and finding new friends, the social events gave me the chance to do some exciting experiences in London. If you don't know the city at all, the best thing is going out with people you know, like teachers and friends. It's also the safest choice, if you think about it!

I would recommend the programme to the other students because it's fun! Teachers will pick you up at school and help you getting home after the evening. Why not give it a try?

 

 

Name Yachi Lin Level Upper intermediate  

Teacher Keith     Time 9-12.10

 

I have been to almost all of them. The ones I remember are; the International food party at school, Halloween Party near Whitechapel, the British Museum, Bowling near Surrey Queys, watching Films in café and the Panto. For most of them we had enough information, but if its about a play or a film we need a summary, it will be better to understand and enjoy more. The one I liked the most was they Panto and the International food party. The programme is important because it’s easier to gather with classmates of different level. You can enjoy different experiences from studying. The school is resembles a small international village. It’s interesting to know different cultures or traditions. The social programme extends our mind. I feel thankful to you organise all the social programmes for us.

 

 

Name Luciano Parente Level Intermediate  

Teacher Robert            Time 12.35- 15.45

 

I’ve been to three events so far. They were in a Pub for a Quiz, at the Bowling and at school for the Valentine’s Day Party. There was enough information about each event. I liked bowling the best as I like sport. The social programme is important because to learn English you have to communicate and not only do grammar. It has helped me practise. Other students should attend because you can improve your English while having fun!!

 

Name Sonia Yanet Rodriguez   Level Advanced

Teacher James                           Time 9-12.10

 

I have attended about 6 events. Some were in school and others out of school for example bowling and the quiz night. Information was given about the event but frequently at the last minute.

 

I really enjoyed the Christmas party but all of them were good in different ways.

The social events are important because you can improve your speaking skills and know people from other classes. It helps us increase our relationships and its an occasion to make experiences outside the school.

 

 

Name Khaled Alqoutoni             Level Pre-Intermediate

Teacher Laura                             Time 12.35 – 15.45

 

I have attended nearly all of the events. I’ve been to the Panto, bowling, film nights, the pub quizzes, the museum and ice skating.

The teachers normally tell us two days before about the events. I really liked bowling and ice skating. It’s really important because you can meet and speak to new students and people from other levels.

 

 

Name Petr                  Level Pre intermediate  

Teacher Owen           Time 9-12.10

 

I have been to 3 social events. We went to the cinema night, bowling and Valentines Day party. We had a lot of information about the events. Social Programme is good for me to improve my English and to speak to other students. I recommend because it is good for each other.

 

 

Name Yachi Lin     Level Upper intermediate  

Teacher Keith        Time 9-12.10

 

I have been to almost all of them. The ones I remember are; the International food party at school, Halloween Party near Whitechapel, the British Museum, Bowling near Surrey Queys, watching Films in café and the Panto. For most of them we had enough information, but if its about a play or a film we need a summary, it will be better to understand and enjoy more. The one I liked the most was they Panto and the International food party. The programme is important because it’s easier to gather with classmates of different level. You can enjoy different experiences from studying. The school is resembles a small international village. It’s interesting to know different cultures or traditions. The social programme extends our mind. I feel thankful to you organise all the social programmes for us.

 

 

Name Luciano Parente          Level Intermediate 

Teacher Robert                     Time 12.35- 15.45

 

I’ve been to three events so far. They were in a Pub for a Quiz, at the Bowling and at school for the Valentine’s Day Party. There was enough information about each event. I liked bowling the best as I like sport. The social programme is important because to learn English you have to communicate and not only do grammar. It has helped me practise. Other students should attend because you can improve your English while having fun!!

 

My first event was a Sherlock Holmes reading at the Baron’s Court Theatre., located in the basement of an old-fashioned English pub. I think some of the students found it a bit too challenging, but the location was truly English.

My second event was a very successful Pub Quiz at the Hemingford Arms at Islington. This was another typical English pub. We divided into three teams, each with a teacher as captain. The quiz was quite testing, but was also great fun.

 

 

I have been on a few events e.g. ice skating, pub quiz and ten pin bowling amongst others. I must say I personally enjoyed the event s and have also enjoyed seeing students have fun together, make new friends and often use the language/phrases they have recently learnt in their class. Some of those students might otherwise have stayed at home and therefore were given the opportunity to communicate with others and gain more confidence.

 

 

I have attended most of the events from the start for example going to the theatre, the various film nights and parties. The students have appreciated the attempts of organising events and are generally content of the outcome. The places we visit are not your usual tourist places but things that we feel the students need to experience during their stay.