International volunteer youth in Gaziantep, within the scope of the ESC-51 project carried out by BEKAM 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 the Center for Scientific, Educational, Cultural Research (BEKAM) 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 makes it 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: BEKAM, 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 engage directly in conversations with people from different countries, practice speaking, and increase their self-confidence in communicating in a foreign language. As 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 have come from various countries around the world to share their knowledge and experience with young people in Gaziantep. Oussama Hannouch, a Moroccan-born Italian software engineering student, leads English Speaking Clubs for adults and actively participates in activities at Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School. At the same time, he 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 field of expertise, in addition to her educational activities in the language clubs. Carolina Domingos, a Portuguese biomedical sciences graduate, also participates in club activities at Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, adding value to young people's cultural vision. This internationally diverse team not only develops young people's language skills but also lays a strong foundation for them to gain global awareness.