50+ Christmas Course at the

Eastbourne School of English

Fifty Plus Christmas Course in Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Professional language school
Specially designed for mature learners
Typical age 55 – 65
Integrated Social Program
Learn about English Christmas traditions
Christmas shopping – from craft fairs to Carnaby Street and the London South Bank
Winter walks and Rye’s magical Christmas Festival

The package price will be GBP 1,145 which includes:

2-week Fifty Plus course with full social program (15 hours General English + festive afternoon, evening and weekend social programme)
Accommodation in Fifty Plus host family, specially selected friendly and experienced families, walking distance to the school
A wide selection of guesthouse and hotels are available at extra cost
Booking fees

Visits include:

Activities include:

Experience a magical English Christmas!

The Christmas schedule (subject to change)

Monday 28 November

9.00 am: Welcome Students are greeted at the school.
1.30 pm: Eastbourne winter walk Enjoy a short tour of Eastbourne town centre and visit the beach or have a traditional cup of tea at the scenic Grand Hotel.

Tuesday 29 November

12.00 pm: Wakehurst Place In mid-winter there is plenty to enjoy around the 500 acre estate. Among the Christmas seasonal highlights for visitors, you can enjoy the spectacle of England’s largest growing Christmas tree, follow a Winter Warmer trail around the gardens, take in an open-air gallery of award winning photography, and warm up with a hot drink in the café. Wakehurst is home to Kew’s Millenium Seedbank, the largest wild plant seed conservation project in the world.

Wednesday 30 November

Thursday 1 December

9.30 am: London You will see some spectacular shop displays in Harrods, Liberty and Hamley’s and you will have the opportunity to buy presents for friends and family. The annual Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place at dusk and is attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster. Every year, a giant tree is given by the people of Norway and lit in an enchanting, historic ceremony.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to see a show or concert (- supplemental) or return to Eastbourne.

Friday 2 December

1.30 pm: Christmas crafts Learn to make traditional crafts, cards and decorations out of everyday materials.

Saturday 3 December

9.30 am: Rye Christmas Festival Throughout the day there is street entertainment, a Charity Fayre was run in St Mary’s Church with further stalls established in the afternoon in the High Street. A Christmas procession and the switching on of the lights complete the day in magical Rye.

Monday 5 December

Tuesday 6 December

1.30pm: Baking Learn how to make traditional English mince pies, brandy butter and other delicious Christmas treats. A custom from the middle ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night you will have happiness for the next 12 months!
7.30pm: The Great Big Christmas Sing More than 200 primary school children from all over East Sussex will sing their hearts out at each of the East Sussex Music Service’s annual Great Big Christmas Sings. There will be old and new songs, and humorous modern adaptations.

Wednesday 7 December

10.30am: Christmas Lunch at Scotney Castle A Christmas lunch followed by a visit to one of England’s most spectacular castles. Scotney Castle is not one but two houses. At the top of the hill is the new house, built in 1837. At the bottom of the valley are the romantic ruins of a medieval castle and moat. There is a variety of walks through beautiful parkland, woodland and farmland. Don’t forget your camera.

Thursday 8 December

7.00pm: Carol Concert A traditional carol concert at Eastbourne Town Hall. Admire the beautiful Victorian architecture, wide front steps and magnificent entrance hall.

Friday 9 December

9.00am: Carol singing in school Another tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, Carol singing, or Caroling, is singing Christmas songs in the street or public places. It is one of the oldest customs in Great Britain when beggars, seeking food, money or drink would wander the streets singing holiday songs.
7.00pm: The Adventures of Robin Hood Based on the much-loved English folk tale, Robin Hood will be an action packed pantomime extravaganza with stunning new costumes, fantastic live music, brand new script and the usual comedy mayhem you would expect from the Eastbourne Pantomime.