International young volunteers in Gaziantep under the ESC-51 project, carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation and supported by the Turkish National Agency, are organizing English Speaking Clubs.
International volunteers who came to the city within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps ESC-51 project carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation aim to eliminate language barriers for children and young people through English Speaking Clubs. The project takes foreign language learning beyond the boundaries of a theoretical curriculum and turns it into an active part of daily life and intercultural communication. In this way, young people gain an international vision and prepare for the future better equipped.
NATURAL COMMUNICATION
The English Speaking Clubs, which bring participants together at different locations across the city, are held at three different centers: Bülbülzade Foundation, Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, and Pusula Book & Café. These clubs offer children and young people the opportunity to experience English not merely as a set of rules taught in schools, but as a natural means of communication. Participants have the chance to converse directly with people from different countries, practice speaking, and increase their confidence in communicating in a foreign language. While language learning is blended with cultural interaction and social communication, children's perspectives on the world broaden and their curiosity about different ways of life is encouraged.
CULTURAL AWARENESS
At the heart of the project are well-equipped volunteers who come from various countries around the world and share their knowledge and experience with young people in Gaziantep. Oussama Hannouch, an Italian software engineering student of Moroccan origin, leads English Speaking Clubs for adults while actively taking part in activities at Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School. He also contributes to the project's international visibility by regularly producing content for social media. Yasmeen Al-Abdallat, a Jordanian medical graduate, provides certified first aid training and Qur'an recitation courses by drawing on her area of expertise, in addition to her training sessions at the language clubs. Carolina Domingos, a Portuguese biomedical sciences graduate, also adds value to young people's cultural vision by participating in club activities at Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School. In addition to developing young people's language skills, this internationally diverse team lays a strong foundation for them to gain global awareness.
