Korea Herald Podcast celebrates second anniversary

The Korea Herald Podcast, designed to help Koreans learn English through the latest news articles, is celebrating its second anniversary.

The Korea Herald launched the podcast in August 2013 with the aim of better interacting with its readers and satisfying the needs of intermediate English learners.

Hosted each week by two members of the paper’s editorial staff -- one Korean and one foreign -- the show features English vocabulary and listening lessons through a range of news articles.

“This podcast set itself apart from similar English-learning programs as The Korea Herald is both content provider and show host,” said Korea Herald reporter Song Sang-ho, who has been one of the podcast’s hosts from the beginning.

Song, who picked up his English skills here in Korea, said he feels rewarded when sharing learning tips with podcast listeners.

“Koreans tend to translate word-for-word, which sometimes sounds awkward. Phrases such as ‘I have never dreamed of it’ can simply be replaced by ‘I had no idea,’” he added.

Yoon Min-sik, another podcast host said, “I am more focused on explaining synonyms, words that are similar. For instance, consecutive, straight and successive are all alternatively used.”

Apart from vocabulary, choosing a topic for the podcasts is also a big consideration in making the podcast.

Song said, “Choosing a topic is a tough task. I am personally interested in serious issues such as national defense or foreign policy but it sometimes conflicts with listeners’ interests.”

“So, I try to keep a balance between the newspaper’s identity and entertaining factors,” he added.

Another host Lee Hyun-jeong said, “I keep monitoring the feedback and choose the news topics that may attract listeners’ interests. I try to make it as diverse as possible -- from politics and economy to culture and science.”

The reporters said teamwork between Korean and foreign hosts was also important while recording audio.

“I care most about teamwork with the foreign hosts to help listeners feel more comfortable and concentrate on the audio,” said another host, Suk Gee-hyun.

Teaming up with a Korean reporter, foreign hosts read articles and explain common expressions together with their political, historical and cultural backgrounds.

“After I get the script, I pay attention to reading it exactly, and focus on clear pronunciation. I keep reading over and over and check the keywords which are commonly used,” said reporter Julie Jackson.

Chief copy editor Paul Kerry, who also hosts the podcast said, “I always try to make my explanations as easy to relate to as possible. I look for connections between works to help their meanings stick in listeners’ minds.”

Most reporters hold the same view that they want more feedback and interaction from listeners, hoping to make it more listener-friendly.

Lee said, “I feel rewarded for my work when there are positive comments and related questions about the podcast on Podbbang -- a local podcast distribution site.”

Jang Bi-jun, 24, a conscripted policeman and avid listener of the podcast, told the Korea Herald that “The podcasts based on newspaper articles enhance English for those at an intermediate-level. It also keeps me updated with latest events.”

“What I like most about The Korea Herald Podcast is its consistency, as it is updated on a regular basis,” he added.

The Korea Herald Podcast is available for download via Apple’s iTunes and Android’s podbbang.com every Wednesday.

By Shin Ji-hye and Ko Ji-seon (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)(jiseonko@heraldcorp.com">shinjh@heraldcorp.com)(jiseonko@heraldcorp.com)