For three days, English Language Fellow Omar Abouelazm conducted a workshop for the Algerian Youth Voices program (AYV) in Bechar, Algeria. After travelling with two broadcast trainers from Algiers, Omar and the trainers met participants from the Avicenne School. Over the course of sessions each morning, the Access students were able to learn about radio broadcasting, conducting interviews, and sound editing using computer software.
At the end of the workshop, students worked in groups of 4 to write, edit, and produce a script for a radio broadcast. Omar and the other trainers worked closely with the groups to perfect their scripts and help them with sound editing after the students recorded their podcasts, at which point they added music and effects. After all of the recordings were completed, they held a feedback session where students had the opportunity to share their work with their peers and receive feedback. On the last day of the workshop, the students invited Omar and the other trainers to Taghit, a city on the edge of the Sahara Desert, where they could relax and get to know each other better.
The Algerian Youth Voices project gives students a means for sharing their stories, culture and experience in English with those across the country. English is a rapidly growing language in Algeria, and the students are now able to continue broadcasting their stories and experiences autonomously to the rest of Algerian youth.