Young Learners: What to Expect on a School Group Trip to the UK | ILC English Blog

Every year, many school groups of young learners travel to the UK for short English courses, many of them at ILC schools. Most are teenagers who come with their school during term time, and for many it's their first trip abroad without their parents. So what can they expect?

Travel and homestays

ILC group courses are organised together with the students' own school. Groups usually travel with their group leaders, who help keep everyone safe. On arrival, students are met by their homestay hosts and taken to their new home, usually one or two students per family. It's a great chance to speak English and experience real British family life.

Lessons focused on speaking

Lessons usually run from Monday to Friday in the morning. They give students the chance to use the English they have worked hard to learn at home, mostly by speaking. Students are often surprised at first and ask "Should we write it down?", to which the teacher replies, "No, just speak!" They soon enjoy talking about topics that interest them, such as fashion, shopping, friendship and music.

Activities and projects

In the afternoons there's a structured social programme of fun activities in English. Students are so engaged that they hardly notice they're communicating in English: some people call this "stealth learning". Some groups also have project-based lessons, creating a presentation or mini-performance in English to show other students, which builds fluency and confidence and is always great fun to watch.

Volunteering for older students

ILC sometimes organises combined courses for 16- and 17-year-olds, with English lessons in the morning and volunteering in the afternoon. It's demanding, but it's a great experience to add to their CV.

Day trips

No visit to the UK is complete without a day trip, and London is the most popular destination. Trips are carefully planned so students see the main sights and, depending on their age, have a little free time with friends. These are days they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Find out more about our mini-stay and group courses.